Football: The Next Generation

For any footballer, the transition from youth football to professional football is a difficult and demanding process. But for every Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, there are dozens of teenage stars who simply can't handle the transition, leaving them in a precarious position of unfulfilled potential.  Here are 10 of the greatest youth flops in football history, players who showed enormous promise at youth level only to fail to live up to their expectations as professionals. 1. Freddy Adu  Signed by DC United at age 14, Adu was the subject of much hype and excitement as one of the brightest prospects in world football. However, after making a big impact at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the United States midfielder struggled to find the same form in the senior ranks. Prone to inconsistent performances, he was forced to move from club to club in search of first-team football and eventually failed to make the grade at any of the major teams he was linked to. 2. Nii Lamptey  Lamptey was s

The UEFA Champions League semi-finals are upon us and the battle for the European crown is heating up. As we get ready to witness some of the finest football on the continent, there are a number of young players who are sure to be key figures in the semi-finals, as Manchester City and Real Madrid square off, and AC Milan and Inter Milan prepare for a derby clash. The match-ups feature some of the biggest names in world football and there are plenty of exciting young players to watch out for. Here, we take a look at some of the best young stars to watch in the Champions League semi-finals. Real Madrid – Vinícius Júnior The 22-year-old Brazilian is one of the most exciting players in Europe right now. Having joined Real Madrid in 2018, he has made a name for himself with his electric pace and skillful dribbling. He’s already scored six goals and provided five assists in the Champions League this season, and will be looking to add to those numbers in the semi-finals. He is sure to be a ha

11 years ago, a young Mason Greenwood got his picture taken with Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solksjaer; last night, Ole subbed him on against Everton and he finished brilliantly to help Manchester United equalise. 3 days prior, Greenwood had scored an emphatic brace against AZ Alkmaar to inspire Manchester United to a win in the Europa League. So who is Mason Greenwood? Born on the 1st of October 2001 in Bradford, Mason Greenwood is a lethal young forward that stands at just under 6 ft tall. Now 18, Greenwood began his footballing journey at the age of 6, playing in United's academy setup. In the 2017/18 season he broke into the U-18 team at the age of 16 and ended the campaign as the top scorer of the U-18 Premier League North, bagging 17 goals in 21 games. Greenwood had his first experience with the first team in the pre-season tour of the 2018/19 season, featuring as a sub off the bench. A few months later, Ole handed Greenwood his competitive debut in the latter en

Football academies teach the beautiful game to prospective players as young as 5 or 6. They hone and refine their natural abilities and shape them into incredible players that can really impact a match. From legends of the past to stars of today, they all started somewhere. Today we'll be looking at the 5 best football academies in Europe, analysing factors such as the quality of facilities, experience of staff and the achievements of their most famous academy graduates. 5. Sporting CP Youth Academy Based in Lisbon, the Sporting CP Youth Academy is the gateway for talented youngsters to break into the Sporting CP first team. The academy is broken down into 5 youth squads: U19s, U17s, U17s (B), U15s, U15s (B). The current academy was built in 2002, with 1 full size pitch, 4 smaller training pitches and a separate area for goalie training. It also includes study rooms and a medical center with treatment rooms, a jacuzzi, gym, showers and bedrooms. At Euro 2016, 10 Sportin