World Cup stars to watch: The next generation

Spain’s Lamine Yamal is just 18 years old — and already among the best players in the sport. Here’s the full list of future stars to watch.

We’re just days away from the start of the World Cup featuring the biggest names in global soccer. They include two — Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal — who are considered among the greatest to ever step on a field.

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Before the matches kick off, let’s preview the players who are expected to have the largest impact for their countries. We have already hit the legends, players who have competed at the highest level for years and figure to do the same again in the coming weeks. Now we’ll turn to the next generation of superstar talent.

Once described by French legend Thierry Henry as being “ahead of the game,” Yamal, 18, is a rising superstar and widely considered to be the future Messi.