10 Most Hyped Young Talents in World Football

There are players you always hear about in world football, those who are stars, those who are failures and those who have the most potential to become stars.

The third type of football player is what this article is focusing on.

We all know about the talent that the young stars in world football possess, but what about the hype surrounding all of the talent?

Here are the 10 young players in world football who not only possess great talent but have great hype around them as well.

Neymar

Let us start with the most hyped young player of all.

Neymar has been in the spotlight for over a year now and has been at the root of transfer rumors to all of Europe's big clubs since the 20-year-old began starring for Santos in Brazil.

The star forward already has over 100 career goals and is becoming a mainstay in the Brazil lineup, as he already has 16 caps for his country.

Look for the hype machine around Neymar to continue as the Olympics get closer, as there is no doubt he will be on the Brazil squad in London this summer.

Eden Hazard

If Neymar is the most hyped player in the world, then Eden Hazard has to be the second most hyped player in the world.

The 21-year-old Belgian international has been in the headlines all season long while at Lille in Ligue 1.

With all the top European clubs chasing his signature, Hazard has remained with the defending French champions and performed at an even higher level.

Hazard has doubled his career high in league goals this season, as he has netted 16 goals in Ligue 1, and his improved goal scoring talents will most likely be viewed by fans of one of Europe's top leagues next season.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale is one of the most hyped young talents to be playing in the world's best league already.

Bale, 22, has become a star for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League in his fifth season at the club.

Just like Neymar and Hazard, Bale's talents began to be noticed last season.

Ever since the Welsh international switched positions and became a full-time winger instead of left back, his talents have shined bright in England—including his hat trick at the San Siro against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League last season.

Javi Martinez

Javi Martinez has been a regular in the Athletic Bilbao starting lineup for six seasons, but only now is the 23-year-old Spaniard garnering attention.

Martinez has flourished under manager Marcelo Bielsa at Bilbao and has helped his team earn a semifinal berth in the Europa League.

The young defender made his debut for Spain at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was part of the winning U-21 team at the U-21 World Cup last summer.

All signs point to Martinez becoming a star on the big stage at Euro 2012 if he can find his way into the Spain midfield in Poland and Ukraine.

Leandro Damiao

Leandro Damiao may be older than his compatriot Neymar, but he does possess a goal-scoring threat just like the young forward.

Damiao, 22, plays for Internacional in Brazil and has earned five caps for Brazil since his first call-up in March against Scotland.

Look for Damiao to also play a big part in the Olympic squad this summer for Brazil, and with all the attention focused on Neymar, Damiao could be poised for a breakout performance in London.

Marco Reus

Fans in Germany are already aware of the talent that Marco Reus possesses, but the 22-year-old German is about to make his impact on the European scene.

Reus, who is currently a member of Borussia Monchengladbach, is joining his hometown club Borussia Dortmund next season and will be the newest member of the young core at Dortmund.

Before moving to Monchengladbach, Reus spent 10 years in the youth system and is finally coming back to the club with a pro contract after reaching a career high in goals this season in the Bundesliga with 16.

Mats Hummels

A player who is already applying his trade at Borussia Dortmund is defender Mats Hummels.

Hummels, 23, has been part of central defense pair with Neven Subotic at Dortmund, as his strong play in the back has been a main reason why Dortmund clinched their second straight Bundesliga title last week.

The former Bayern Munich player has now broken into the Germany squad and will be a key fixture in the starting lineup for the Germans not only at Euro 2012 but for the foreseeable future.

Kyle Walker

Many fans are starting to realize what football pundits have realized for a while—Kyle Walker is one heck of a football player.

The 21-year-old right back just earned the honor of PFA Young Player of the Year earlier this week, and he could see time with England at Euro 2012 if his good form continues.

However, unlike the rest of the players on this list, Walker is not guaranteed a spot on his national team's roster, as established veterans like Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines still remain in front of Walker on the England depth chart at fullback.

Erik Pieters

One player who will make his name known at the Euro 2012 tournament, if he is fully healthy, is Erik Pieters.

The 23-year-old Dutchman has been a regular for PSV since joining the club from Utrecht in 2008 and is now the first-choice left back for Holland as well.

However, the injury bug has halted Pieters' development and could make him miss out on the European Championship.

Pieters has been out with a hairline fracture in his foot since the middle of April and was also out injured for a considerable amount of time earlier in the season with another injury.

Brek Shea

Time for a small American addition to the list as FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea is full of hype over here in America.

Shea had a breakout season in Major League Soccer in 2011 and that earned the 22-year-old a spot in Jurgen Klinsmann's lineup for the recent United States friendlies.

Shea did spend a month overseas training with Arsenal during the MLS offseason, but his progression took a hit when he was a part of the disappointing U-23 American squad that failed to qualify for the Olympics.

Although his association with the Olympic failure is still fresh on everyone's mind in America, Shea should still have a ton of hype around him as the MLS season heats up this summer.