With the UEFA Champions League having returned this week, here are the 11 hottest youngsters, including one African star, who were selected in the UCL Breakthrough Team of 2019.
Click through the gallery above to see the complete UCL Breakthrough Team of 2019!
In goal, Napoli's Alex Meret was chosen by UEFA's journalists after the 22-year-old was given the starting role ahead of David Ospina in all group stage games.
The rules of selection are simple, players must be aged 24 or younger and have made their UCL debut in 2019 or only have limited experience in the competition before making a major leap last year.
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The back-four consists of Borussia Dortmund's Achraf Hakimi after his four group stage goals, Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard, RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano and Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi.
In midfield, Genk's Sander Berge, Dinamo Zagreb's Dani Olmo and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz made the cut, with the former duo finding new clubs in Sheffield United and Leipzig after their strong group stage performances.
Upfront, Real's Brazilian wonderkid Rodrygo Goes was picked after bursting onto the scene when he scored a hat-trick against Galatasaray, while Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez joined him.
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The standout performer of the Breakthrough Team of the Year is Erling Braut Haaland, whose eight group stage goals for Red Bull Salzburg saw him earn a move to Borussia Dortmund, where he already wrote headlines in the round of 16 on Tuesday night.
What do you make of this team and which other young star has caught your eye in the Champions League this season? Have your say in the comments section below.
