The leading and unexpected participation of Enzo Fernandez (21 years old) and Julian Alvarez (22) in the Argentine National Team is the reflection of one of the great verifications that the World Cup in Qatar has delivered up to now: the emergence in the foreground of a generation of gamers in their twenties who, far from having gone to complete their first World Cup experience and seasoned in the intense competitive rhythm of European football, have assumed themselves as undisputed headlines and players of great present value and enormous future projection.
most notable In the case of the Argentines, it is that none of them was in the ideal team with which coach Lionel Scaloni planned to start playing in the World Cup. The two arrived from River to European football in this second semester and in the case of Enzo Fernández just played his first minutes in the National Team in the friendly window of September. But the maturity and ease that they showed when they had to enter and the decline of some who were considered immovable starters, installed them in that place. Enzo Fernández scored the second goal against Mexico and assisted Julián Álvarez in the second against Poland. And Álvarez also scored the second against Australia. Any of them will be inevitable from now on in any Argentine call.
The Netherlands, Argentina’s rival on Friday, will present two consolidated twenty-somethings: the central Jurrien Timber (21 years old, Ajax defender) and Cody Gakpo (23 years old, PSV Eindhoven winger). Gakpo scored three goals in the three group stage matches and has already been spotted by the biggest European teams.
For their part, in England, they have highlighted Bukayo Saka (21 years old, Arsenal striker and scorer of three goals) and Jude Bellingham (19; one goal and one assist) who has shown a reading of the game, quality and influence beyond his age. Bellingham works for Borussia Dortmund in Germany and Paris Saint-Germain wants to hire him right now to play in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
France exhibits the excellence of Aurelien Tchouameni (22), who took over from Ngolo Kanté after the injury that sidelined him from the World Cup and managed to hide his absence with the certainty that his ownership at Real Madrid gives him. And in the sparkling Brazilian team, the twenty-somethings have refreshed the attack: Vinicius (21 years old; one goal and two assists) is an immovable starter as a left winger due to the speed and power of definition that he had already achieved at Real Madrid. In the bank, they wait Anthony Y Rodrygo (22) and gabriel martinelli (twenty-one).
While in Portugal, Goncalo Ramos (21) has just moved the world after replacing Cristian Ronaldo and scoring three of the six goals that Portugal scored against Switzerland. on the bench waiting nuno mendes (20 years old), the left back who shares a team with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé at PSG.
For its part, in Croatia shines Josko Gvardiol (20 years old), a left-handed center marker who impresses with his strength and trade. But also, due to his great ability to play and enable his strikers with long straight or crossed passes. Gvardiol, currently at Leipzig in Germany, is another who will soon be seen playing for one of the greats in Europe.
But the review does not end with these names. Several of those selected who were left on the way have shown interesting twenty-somethings who will continue to talk later. Luis Enrique quoted in Spain and in many cases gave ownership to Gavi (18 years), Pedro (twenty), Alex Balde (19), Nico Williams (twenty), Ansu Fati (20) and yeremi pino (20) in a bet that was insufficient.
A Mohammed Kudus (20), Ghana did not support him enough, but he proved to be a very interesting midfielder. Jamal Musiala (19) and Youssoufa Mukuoko (18) could not get away from the debacle in Germany but will continue to participate just like Charles DeKetelaere (21) and Jeremy Doku (20), who should renew the blood of a worn out and untimely Belgium.
