World Football: Ranking the Best Young Strikers at the 2011 U-17 World Cup

This year's FIFA U-17 World Cup was one of the most exciting in recent history. With plenty of goals scored throughout the tournament and a handful of close, exciting matches, it was definetely a tournament to remember.

Although it was hosts Mexico who won, we saw brilliant performances from a number of nations and players, and FIFA's youth tournament have been known to produce some quality stars, so let's take a look at five of the most promising young strikers the tournament has produced. These guys have served their countries well throughout the tournament, and could have bright footballing futures ahead of them.  

5. Yassine Benzia (France)

Coming into the tournament as a late, and somewhat unexpected pick, Yassine Benzia more than justified his inclusion in the French squad with an impressive total of five goals and one assist.

Opening his account with a well taken brace against Argentina, Benzia scored again in the last group game to steal a point against Jamaica.

His most important contribution was another brilliant brace in a 3-2 comeback win against Cote d'Ivoire, which saw France through to the quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual champions Mexico.

Previously compared to Hatem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema, the forward possesses great skill on the ball and excellent positioning skills, as he showed in last season's French U-17 championship, where he scored a whopping 36 goals.  

4. Ademilson (Brazil)

Another late inclusion, this time for the Brazilian squad, Sao Paulo striker Ademilson finished the side's joint top-scorer with five goals and two assists.

Starting the tournament auspiciously, with two goals and an assist against Denmark, the Brazilian number 9 immediately turned some heads. He would pick up another in the group stages, before scoring in the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals to complete his tally.

The quick, clinical, and creative 17-year-old also showed his scoring credentials last season, totaling 23 goals in the 2009 Campeonato Paulista Under 16.    

3. Carlos Fierro (Mexico)

Carlos Fierro was unquestionably one of the best players for champions Mexico, as he finished their top scorer and eventual winner of the Bronze Ball.

Netting four times and setting up an additional two, Fierro came up big when his team needed him and may already be turning some heads in Europe.

Playing as the typical poacher, the Guadalajara striker said that he has based his game off of fellow Mexican striker Javier Hernandez. What he lacks for in build, he makes up for with his brilliant positioning ability and clinical finishing.   

2. Samed Yesil (Germany)

Samed Yesil was the undoubted star for a free-scoring Germany side that finished third place in the tournament. Of his team's tournament best 24 goals, Yesil was directly involved in 12, scoring and assisting six apiece.

Also claiming the Silver Shoe, Yesil demonstrated his brilliant touch, lovely skills, blistering pace and spectacular eye for goal en route to the Bronze medal.

The Bayer Leverkusen youth player continued on his run of hot form since the European U-17 Championship, which saw him being linked with Arsenal and now a move to one of Europe's elite could be on the books.  

1. Souleymane Coulibaly (Ivory Coast)

The Golden Shoe winner and the star player of this year's tournament, Souleymane Coulibaly scored a total of nine of his team's 10 goals, equaling a tournament best in the short period of just four games.

Opening his account with a strike in an eventual loss to Australia, Coulibaly then exploded for a four goal showing against Denmark and a stunning hat trick against Brazil. He would go on to score again, but this time in a loss to France that would see his Ivory Coast side head home.

Coulibaly possesses great physical strength as well as deadly pace and an amazingly powerful shot, demonstrated by his numerous goals from tight angles and stunning overhead kick against Brazil.

It is believed that the Sienna striker, already dubbed the "New Drogba", has attracted the attention of top clubs such as Real Madrid and Tottenham.