Lionel Messi stays one of many largest stars in soccer, even at age 38. Behind him, a brand new technology of expertise led by gamers like Erling Haaland continues to rise and problem for that throne. What they share is a breakout efficiency on the FIFA U-20 World Cup early of their careers.
The 2025 version of FIFA’s youth event started this Saturday in Chile with 4 matches, together with the hosts’ opener towards New Zealand. Over the approaching days, different main groups will make their debut, together with Argentina, Italy, Spain, Brazil, France, Mexico, and the United States.
The U-20 World Cup is a event with a long-standing custom in world soccer. The primary version was held in 1977 and, since then, it has taken place each two years with out interruption — besides in 2021, when the event was canceled as a result of schedule disruptions attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over practically 5 a long time, numerous younger skills have participated within the event and delivered standout performances, whether or not individually or with their groups. One in all them is Lionel Messi, who gained the title at Netherlands 2005 with Argentina and was named each the event’s greatest participant and prime scorer.
Lionel Messi is likely one of the few gamers to have gained each the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the senior World Cup.
Leo scored his first purpose on Matchday 2 of the group stage towards Egypt, however he actually exploded within the knockout rounds. Within the Spherical of 16, he scored within the 2–1 win over Colombia, and once more within the 3–1 quarterfinal victory towards Spain. Within the semifinals, Messi netted his greatest purpose of the event towards Brazil, and within the closing towards Nigeria, he led Argentina to the title with a brace from the penalty spot.
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Haaland’s historic file on the U-20 World Cup
Fourteen years after Messi’s triumph with Argentina, Erling Haaland acquired his shot on the U-20 World Cup in 2019 with Norway. Issues didn’t go nicely for the European facet, which was eradicated within the group stage after two losses and one win.
Nonetheless, that was sufficient for Erling to realize a historic file. In Norway’s 12–0 win over Honduras on Matchday 3, Haaland turned the primary participant to attain 9 targets in a single match on the FIFA youth event. Due to that unbelievable efficiency, he completed because the event’s prime scorer — regardless of solely enjoying within the group stage.
Maradona, Xavi, and different stars who gained the U-20 World Cup
Maybe the primary international star to raise the U-20 World Cup was Diego Armando Maradona. Very like Lionel Messi would years later, Maradona led Argentina to the youth title in Japan 1979 earlier than happening to win the senior World Cup in Mexico 1986.
In 1991, Portugal hosted the U-20 World Cup and gained the title by beating Brazil within the closing. That Portuguese staff included a number of gamers who would go on to shine in world soccer: former Actual Madrid and Barcelona winger Luis Figo and AC Milan midfielder Rui Costa.
Eight years later, Spain had been topped U-20 world champions. Among the many stars of that staff had been two gamers who would later win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa: goalkeeper Iker Casillas and midfielder Xavi Hernandez.
