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Young footballers have a massive influence on the game, plain and simple.

In today's world, players are scouted, signed and trained earlier than ever before. Teams utilize vast scouting networks to scoop up the hottest young prospects in the hope of finding one that will eventually blossom into a world-class talent.

As a result, fans now have the ability to watch these players grow, mature and hopefully succeed starting from a very young age.

Some players work out. Others, not so much.

But when they do, often times they take their place amongst the best in the world.

Look no further than the 2012 European Championship that is on the horizon, as the tournament will feature a bevy of young, exciting players who will dazzle fans for many years to come—as well as those who were tipped to be stars years ago, and are at their best right now.

There are a number of young stars who will not be on display once the highly-anticipated tournament kicks-off this week, either as a result of injury, or simply because they are not European. But no fear, we have scoured the globe to find the best of the best; the youngsters who will be idolized by millions of fans worldwide.

Quite simply, these players are the future of football, and the future looks very, very bright.

Here are ten players who could very well be the best in the world in the year 2020, under the assumption that they will be at the peak of their powers once they reach their late twenties.

While Lionel Messi holds the title as the best footballer on planet earth at only 24 years of age, the majority of the players who are directly chasing him for that distinction are indeed in their late twenties.

Note: This is a list that could have easily featured upwards of 50 names, which means that many talented players were omitted, some of whom may ultimately turn out to be better than the ones who have been selected to make up this list.

Therefore, I’m sure you will have some of those players in mind when you create your very own version of this list.

So let us know who you think will be the best player in the world when 2020 rolls around by leaving a comment in the section below.