Lamine Yamal snubbed as Lionel Messi names three Premier League youngsters in top 10 list
The Premier League is a hotbed for producing young talent, and Lionel Messi has honoured that in his top 10 list.
When the Premier League returns from the international break this weekend, all eyes will be on some of the most promising youngsters in Europe.
One of those is 18-year-old Josh King, who has impressed pundits during Fulham’s first seven games of the season.
Meanwhile, after scoring the winner in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, Brazilian winger Estevao has also caught the eye in arguably the best league on the planet.
Yet, it was another Chelsea star and two Premier League players who featured in Messi’s top 10 list.
Lionel Messi names Premier League stars among top 10 youngsters
As part of a campaign with Adidas football, Messi selected 10 of the ‘most promising’ youngsters in world football (men’s and women’s) to receive a special boot.
Surprisingly, the Inter Miami star snubbed Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, and instead selected Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, Brighton’s Brajan Gruda and Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, as per Globo.
- Nico Paz (Como/Argentina)
- Kendry Paez (Strasbourg/Chelsea/Ecuador)
- Rio Nguomha (Liverpool/England)
- Mohamed Kader Meite (Rennes/France)
- Clara Serrajordi (Barcelona/Spain women)
- Brajan Gruda (Brighton/Germany)
- Mika Godts (Ajax/Belgia)
- Andrey Santos (Chelsea/Brazil)
- Lily Yohannes (Lyon/United States female)
- Rodrigo Mora (Porto/Portugal)
A mix of names made the prestigious list, including Nico Paz, who Tottenham tried to sign during the summer transfer window and is the only player on the list to have played with Messi.
Ngumoha is arguably most promising
Liverpool winger Ngumoha has stunned everyone since bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old last term.
Ngumohas is now Liverpool’s youngest Champions League debutant after coming off the bench against Atletico Madrid in September, aged just 17.
The lightning-quick wideman has stolen the headlines for his performances this term, scoring the winner during Liverpool’s win over Newcastle in August.
Former Reds striker Michael Owen has been wowed by Ngumoha since watching him flourish in the first team, and he was rewarded for his potential at the end of September.
Ngumoha signed his first professional contract with Liverpool, in what the teenager hopes will be the start of something special.