Teenagers who could illuminate South American qualifying - رسانه ورزش ایران

One is 16 and compared to Lionel Messi, another is billed as the new Luis Suarez and another has already been bought by Barcelona.

Anderson Duarte
Uruguay | 19 years old

Luis Saurez, no less, has identified Duarte as his own successor. With ‘El Pistolero’ overlooked by Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay may need the pride of Tacuarembo today rather than tomorrow.

Duarte went into the recent FIFA U-20 World Cup™ carrying an injury, but ultimately hit three goals in the knockout rounds to propel La Celeste to glory. Able to play out wide or through the centre, the Defensor Sporting No10 can handle the rough and tumble and is outstanding at jinking his way past opponents. Is he ready to do it on the senior international stage?

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“He’s been my idol since I was a kid. I watch a lot of videos of him, I talk to him. I watch his build-up play, his movements. I try to copy them in every game, every training session because he’s the best striker in history. Luis is a star. He sends me messages congratulating me, telling me to keep on scoring.”
Anderson Duarte on Luis Saurez

Julio Enciso
Paraguay | 19 years old

There hasn’t been such hyperbole over a Paraguayan since Roque Santa Cruz exploded on to the scene and signed for Bayern Munich in the late 20th century. Although his minutes were managed, Enciso wowed in his first season at Brighton, winning the Premier League Goal of the Season for a breathtaking strike against Manchester City.

A knee injury will rule the Caaguazu native, who already has nine caps to his name, out of La Albirroja’s opening qualifiers. Once he’s back, however, ‘La Joya’, who boasts exceptional trickery and a thunderous shot, should be central to Paraguay’s hopes of qualifying for a first World Cup since 2010.

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“He has unique talent. He can reach the very top. It’s beautiful for Paraguayan football.”

Miguel Almiron

Alejandro Garnacho

Argentina | 19 years old

It’s a testament to the winger’s self-belief that, despite being just 18, he was miffed to miss out on Lionel Scaloni’s squad for Qatar 2022. He’s in it now, and raring to thrill. Garnacho played for Spain, his birth country, at youth level before switching allegiance to Argentina, and is now viewed as the long-term successor to Angel Di Maria. A devilish dribbler with a potent final ball, he enjoyed a breakout season for Manchester United in 2022/23.

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“There are not many wide players these days that can beat a man on either side. I think he’s capable of going down the left or the right. He looks like he’s got a goal in him. He’s got an assist in him. This lad is a real talent.”

Paul Scholes

Kendry Paez

Ecuador | 16 years old

It’s amazing to think that Lionel Messi, who will be in the opposite dressing room to Paez on Matchday 1, had starred in the World Cup before Paez was even born. And it is Rosario’s beloved son to whom the Guayaquil native has studied relentlessly and is most juxtaposed.

Aged only 15, Paez became the youngest player in Ecuadorian top flight history, marking the occasion with a sublime dink. Just 22 days past his 16th birthday, he went on to become the youngest scorer in the 46-year history of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Now Paez is with the seniors, the playmaker Ecuador has craved since the great Alex Aguinaga last wore the Tricolor jersey almost two decades ago. The Independiente del Valle revelation will join Chelsea, who outstruck several European titans to land his signature, in 2025. With his skill, vision and passing, Paez could be crucial to supplying the ammunition for Enner Valencia to fire La Tri to the big stage the following year.

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“He’s the type of player Argentina and Brazil would be happy to produce, and he’s Ecuadorian! We know he will become one of the best players in the world. He’s got all Ecuadorians excited.”

Justin Cuero

Vitor Roque

Brazil | 18 years old

There was surprise – outrage even – when the soon-to-be Barcelona striker was omitted from Fernando Diniz’s first Seleção squad. It relaxed hours later when the motive became clear: Vitor Roque, who is the forerunner to spearhead the Brazil attack at Paris 2024, was summoned by Ramon Menezes for Olympic preparation friendlies.

“Vitor Roque has everything to be one of the best strikers in the world,” said Diniz. “The door will always be open for him in the [senior] Seleção. He’s a frightening player.”

Most esteemed for his skill, pace and goal-getting, Vitor Roque is also extremely tough and harries defenders into mistakes. ‘O Tigrinho’ (‘The Little Tiger’) has scored 20 in 40 games for Athletico Paranaense this year. The boy from Timoteo could play a big role in CONMEBOL qualifying, especially once the Olympic preliminaries are done before Matchday 7, and could well wear the No9 shirt at the next World Cup.

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“He’s a phenomenon. He has great talent, scores goals, but he does so much more. He’s really irritating for defenders to play against. He never stops. He has a big future.”

Andrey Santos