Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi shot to prominence in the 2005 U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. Photo / AP
Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi shot to prominence in the 2005 U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. Photo / AP
Ten years ago, as Argentina were preparing for the Fifa U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands, a relatively unknown, short, featherweight striker was patiently waiting to take the world by storm.
Eighteen-year-old Lionel Messi was on the fringes at Barcelona. Despite making a handful of appearances for the first team, and perpetually being touted as "one to watch", few could have predicted what would happen next.
Messi was the undisputed star of the tournament as he carried Argentina to the title. With six goals he won both the Golden Shoe, for top scorer, as well as the Golden Ball, - as the tournament's top player - an award won 26 years previously by compatriot Diego Maradona.
Overnight, Messi went from a player for the future, to the future of football and his launching pad was the U-20 World Cup.
For Kiwi football fans, the thought of watching the next Messi in New Zealand next weekend is not too much of a stretch.
The Under-20 World Cup, formerly the Fifa World Youth Championships, is a teeming treasure trove of young stars. Since 1977, the competition has given youngsters such as Maradona, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Arjen Robben, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez, James Rodriguez and, most recently, Paul Pogba a platform to thrive, earn plaudits and generate big-dollar moves on the back of award-winning performances.
Here are some of the biggest names to star in the tournament:
Diego Maradona - Argentina (Fifa World Youth Championships, Japan, 1979)
Having made his debut for the senior national team at 16, much was expected of Argentina's No10, who was the leading light in a squad brimming with potential. Maradona did not disappoint. Dovetailing delightfully with striker Ramon Diaz - who would claim eight goals and the tournament's Golden Shoe - Maradona picked apart defences as he won the Golden Ball. The pair were both on the scoresheet in four of Argentina's six games, including the final, as the Soviet Union, the reigning champions, were put to the sword.
What happened next: Maradona almost single-handedly gave the U-20 World Cup credibility after not only starring in Japan, but emerging as the face of Argentinian and world football in the 1980s and early 1990s. He claimed league titles with Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli but the coup de grace was winning the 1986 World Cup with his country; Maradona was named the best player at Mexico '86, becoming the only man to win the Golden Ball at both the U-20 and senior World Cups.
Sergio Aguero (Argentina) (Fifa U-20 World Cup in Canada, 2007)
At age 18 Aguero played with all the verve and confidence of a teenager who had already been made Atletico Madrid's most expensive signing 12 months prior.
Three goals came in the group stage, before a double against Poland took Argentina into the quarter-finals. Aguero was, however, to save his most decisive contribution until the final, where he skippered the side and demonstrated a captain's maturity to convert an equaliser just two minutes after his side had gone behind to the Czech Republic.
Aguero took home both the tournament's Golden Boot and Golden Ball prizes to follow in the footsteps of both Messi and Javier Saviola.
What happened next: Continuing to shine for Atletico Madrid, Aguero added a gold medal to his collection at the 2008 Olympics and established himself as first-choice for his country, playing at the 2010 World Cup with Maradona as his coach. The young striker quickly became one of the hottest properties in Europe and in 2011 Manchester City beat off competition from Real Madrid to sign him. "Kun" is now a terrace idol at City following the dramatic injury-time strike in May 2012 that delivered the club their first league title in half a century.
Paul Pogba - France (Fifa U-20 World Cup in Turkey, 2013)
After being unwanted by Manchester United, Paul Pogba moved to Juventus in 2013, where he had a whirlwind year making 35 appearances as the Turin side stormed to the Serie A title and made the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
And the 20-year old's confidence - perhaps bordering on arrogance - was there for all to see as he tip-toed up to score the opening penalty of the shootout as France overcame Uruguay to lift the Under-20 World Cup.
As well as a winners medal, Pogba took home the Golden Ball for the tournament, where he captained the champions to glory with a number of physically commanding performances.
What happened next: Pogba is the brightest prospect in world football. He was awarded the Best Young Player award for his performances with France at the 2014 Fifa World Cup, and will face off against Barcelona in the Champions League final next month. There are constant transfer rumours about where Pogba will play next season, with estimates of his value ranging between $105-$180 million.
