Mario Götze and the 10 Best Teenagers in World Football

They are the future of football—the next generation.

Some have already represented their country at the international level on numerous occasions, and yet some are young enough to still be in school. All are under the age of twenty, and all are ridiculously talented.

They are the ten best teenagers in world football.

10. Ryo Miyaichi, RW

Signed by Arsenal in January 2011 and now on loan at Bolton, Japanese winger Ryo Miyaichi is currently inspiring the relegation-threatened club in the same manner as Daniel Sturridge last season. 

Although only having played in six league games so far, Miyaichi has already provided two valuable assists to the northern club. But it is the way he terrifies opposition defences with his lung-bursting runs that has seen him awarded Bolton fans' player of the month award for February.

Insanely quick, with exceptional balance and agility, Miyaichi is also improving game-by-game in his crossing ability, giving Premier League fans glimpses of the raw talent that will surely rival Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for position in the future.

9. Romelu Lukaku, ST

According to the video, Romelu Lukaku is "amazing." His goal-scoring exploits whilst playing for Anderlecht would certainly seem to confirm this belief. His 41 goals in 98 games have all come between the ages of 16 and 18.

If this list were to have been compiled six months ago, Lukaku would probably be a lot higher— certainly the number-one striker. 

But under André Villas-Boas, and now Di Matteo, Lukaku has spent the majority of this season either on the bench or playing for the Chelsea reserve team. When he has played, he's made underwhelming, ineffectual cameo appearances.

But Lukaku has the potential to be great, with Didier Drogba being the most common comparison. The Belgian League may not contain the most competitive football in the world, but to have scored so many goals at his age is not an achievement to be underestimated.

He is strong, powerful and surprisingly quick. He is capable of unleashing blistering long-shots, but also of playing the poacher role in the box. For a man of his height, though, Lukaku certainly needs to work on his aerial ability.

8. Marc-André Ter Stegen

He is perhaps the least-known player on the list, at least outside of Germany. But ter Stegen's performances between the sticks in the Bundesliga this campaign have drawn comparisons to no less than Oliver Kahn and Manuel Neuer.

Yet, to be capped by the national side, ter Stegen is nevertheless tipped to grab a place on the plane to the Euros. His most impressive headlining performance came against Bayern Munich at the beginning of the season, as his surprisingly capable Monchengladbach team overcame the Bavarian giants, 3-1.

Although only 6'2"—average height for a goalkeeper—ter Stegen is known for commanding an immense presence in the box, utlising his impressive physique to dominate opposing set-pieces. Also praised for his ability to foil one-on-one chances, he is sure to rival Neuer for the German number one spot in the future.

7. Ross Barkley, CM

Ross Barkley has only played in eight games so far this season for Everton, having been consistently blighted by injury problems over the past couple of years. However, it is the ability he has shown during those games which have seen him described as one of the best young talents in England, and has him linked with future moves to Chelsea and Manchester United.

Watching him play at the beginning of the season, it was difficult to appreciate that he was still only 17-years-old. In his debut against QPR, he was rightly rewarded with the man of the match award and received praise for his commanding display in the middle of the park, along with his threatening attacking runs.

He is prodigiously strong and quick for his position, but it is his passing ability that sets him apart from other young central players, which sees him able to play in both an attacking midfield role and a defensive midfield role.

It is doubtful, however, that Barkley will earn a place on the plane to the Euros, unless he can get fit and displace the clubs other in-form midfielders in a hurry.

6. Julian Draxler, CAM

Julian Draxler is another German talent who has been attracting praise from the very highest quarters. He also has unenviable experience to his name, having appeared against Manchester United during Schalke's run to the Champions League semifinals last season.

He is an attacking midfielder who can also play on the wing. His preferred position is sitting just behind Raul or Huntelaar, dictating the flow of his team's attacking football.

Draxler plays in an entertaining, carefree style—unafraid to shoot from distance or attempt the miracle through-pass to an attacking teammate. Fast-forward to 0.44 seconds in the video for evidence. However, he is unlikely to earn a place in his national team's squad, due to Germany's tremendous wealth in midfield talent.

5. Thibaut Courtois, GK

The highest-rated goalkeeper on the list, Thibaut Courtois could not be more pleased with how his loan spell at Atletico Madrid has gone this season. In statistics, Courtois has kept clean sheets in over half of the games he has played this year. He has saved multiple penalties, and is making Atletico fans forget David De Gea in a hurry.

Signed by Chelsea from Belgian club Racing Genk during the last summer-transfer window, manager Villas-Boas was initially hesitant to replace the club stalwart Petr Cech with an unproven youngster.

Indeed, Courtois has recently spoken of his desire to play another season out on loan, either for Atletico, or to gain experience for another Premier League club before returning. However, if Courtois continues to impress for Atletico, the next Chelsea manger will certainly have a difficult decision ahead.

Courtois is in the acrobatic mould, capable of making outrageous saves from all angles, possessing fantastic reactions for a man of his size (6'6"). He is also a humble and down-to-earth young man, personality traits that will stand him in good stead for a future career in English football.

4. Stephan El Shaarawy, CAM

Perhaps the best teenager in Serie A, Stephan El Shaarawy has developed into a valuable commodity for AC Milan this season, impressing at vital moments. He has scored against Juventus in a high-profile cup tie, and has also netted a vital winner against Udinese in a recent league game.

He has recently been linked with a loan move to Arsenal, although, quite why he would leave Milan and a developing role in a title-chasing team is beyond me. Although, it is understandable that a player of his ability and style would be coveted by Arsene Wenger, who is clearly a fan.

Although listed here as an attacking midfielder, El Shaarawy can play on either wing and as striker, such is his versatility. He possesses great quickness and an ability to beat defenders on the dribble. He is equally adept with both feet and can shoot from distance. His balance is also exceptional.

3. Iker Muniain, LW

There's no need for a video compilation of Iker Muniain's best career moments—a compilation of his best moments in a recent Europe League tie against Manchester United will suffice—such was his impressive performance at Old Trafford and in the return leg in Bilbao.

Muniain has long been considered a future-star in La Liga, having played a regular role for Athletic as far back as 2009. Whilst he has not scored as many goals for his club as he would like (20 in 123 games), he has been terrifying opposing teams for what seems like forever and it is hard to believe he is still only 19 years old—his potential is frightening.

Exceptionally quick and nimble, he is able to glide round defending players with the greatest of ease. He is a fantastic dribbler, comfortable with moving with the ball at his feet with pace. And as he showed against Manchester United, he is capable of playing fast-passing football not unlike that of Barcelona.

2. Mario Götze, CAM

The third, and highest German footballer on this list, Mario Götze is currently the best teenager playing in Europe and arguably the best under-21. Indeed, this opinion was confirmed at the end of 2011 by international journalists, winning an award ahead of Eden Hazard, Jack Wilshere and Christian Eriksen.

He has already helped lead Borussia Dortmund to one Bundesliga trophy, and could possibly do so again this season (barring a late charge from Bayern.) He has been capped 12 times for his country and has scored twice on international duty. He is a certainty to play an important part in Germany's Euro 2012 campaign later this year.

His play-making abilities are exceptional—making 15 assists for his side last season whilst also scoring eight. He has also scored five in 14 league games so far this season. His balance and agility are fantastic, he is as comfortable running with the ball as he is making passes to anyone on the pitch—his vision superb, even for a player of his position. A future move to a top, top club in either Spain or England is seemingly inevitable.

1. Lucas, CAM

Lucas is the best teenager in world football, and yet the only player not currently plying his trade in Europe.

This is Europe's loss.

He has been a regular in the Sao Paulo side since 2010, drawing praise from the biggest names (Pele included), and being linked with a move at one time to every big club on the continent. However, like his national counterpart Neymar, he is content playing in his domestic league, and is unlikely to force a move to England, Spain or Italy prematurely.

He has 22 goals for his club (many of which were spectacular and can be seen in the attached video), and has also scored for Brazil (against Argentina no less).

He is blindingly quick, one of the best dribblers in the world, age-regardless. His blistering shooting ability already mentioned, his passing ability making him capable of playing in any team in the world—right now. Along with Neymar, Lucas is the future of Brazilian football, it just remains to be seen how long it will be until their respective clubs submit to a big-money offer.