The 7 Best Teenagers 7 Years Ago: Where Are They Now?

TL;DR

A 2019 list of football's best teenagers is revisited to show how careers like Vinicius Jr.'s soared while others like Sancho's and Zaniolo's stalled.

Key Points

• 1.Nicolo Zaniolo suffered the steepest decline of the seven. Two back-to-back ACL injuries derailed his development at Roma; he now plays on loan at Udinese after stints at Galatasaray, Aston Villa, Atlanta, and Fiorentina, where he was accused of hospitalizing youth players and urinating in their dressing room.
• 2.Phil Foden has had an exceptional career but plateaued short of world-best status. He won 18 trophies including six Premier League titles and the 2023–24 PL Player of the Season, yet is no longer guaranteed a place in England's World Cup squad under Tuchel.
• 3.João Félix never matched his €126 million price tag at Atletico Madrid. Loan moves to Chelsea and Barcelona preceded a permanent Stamford Bridge deal that flopped; he eventually signed for Al-Nassr, with coaches reportedly frustrated by his failure to follow instructions.
• 4.Vinicius Jr. is the clearest success story of the original seven. He has scored 127 goals in 373 Real Madrid games, won two Champions Leagues and 14 trophies, and narrowly lost the 2024 Ballon d'Or to Rodri, though he has only managed eight goals in 47 Brazil appearances.
• 5.Kai Havertz made two big-money transfers totaling €135 million but fell short of elite expectations. He scored the only goal in a Champions League final and earned 57 Germany caps, yet remains a non-guaranteed starter at Arsenal, who attempted to upgrade him with Victor Gyökeres.
• 6.Jadon Sancho was ranked the best teenager in 2019 but imploded after joining Manchester United. After seasons of 20 goals and 20 assists at Dortmund as a teenager, he managed just 12 goals and 6 assists across 83 United appearances; he hasn't played for England since the Euro 2020 final.
• 7.Matias De Ligt became the most expensive defender of all time but never reached the predicted top-center-back status. Transfers to Juventus (~€85m), Bayern Munich (~€77m), and Manchester United (~€50m) followed his Ajax days; he has been sidelined with a back injury since December and faces competition in the Netherlands squad.
• 8.Honorable mentions from 2019 had mixed outcomes, reflecting the unpredictability of teenage talent. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reinaldo Nelson were hindered by injuries and never fulfilled early potential; Rodrygo had big Real Madrid moments but faces a summer exit; Matteo Guendouzi moved to Marseille, Lazio, and Fenerbahce.