Kylian Mbappe has dominated any list of future stars since bursting onto the scene in Ligue 1 during the 2016-17 season.
While the Paris Saint-Germain star was certainly worthy of the hype, it could be argued that his rise to prominence has overshadowed other future stars of the French top-flight.
But with Mbappe now already a regular feature in conversations about the best players on the planet, it’s time for the next wave of wonderkids to step forward.
Well, it seems we won’t be waiting long given the abundance of promising youngsters cutting their teeth in Ligue 1.
Here, GiveMeSport picks the best teenage XI currently playing in Ligue 1.
GK: STEFAN BAJIC
With Alban Lafont now in his 20s and playing for Fiorentina, Stefan Bajic of Saint-Etienne gets the nod as the most promising teenage stopper in Ligue 1.
RB: BAFODE DIAKITE
Bafode Diakite has taken every opportunity to assert himself in Toulouse’s fight to avoid relegation this season, making eight appearances in a trialling campaign for Le Tefece.
CB: BOUBACAR KAMARA
Not only has Boubacar Kamara seen more league minutes this season than any other teenager in Ligue 1, Marseille have conceded just five goals since Rudi Garcia paired him with Duje Caleta-Car at centre-back in early February.
CB: BENOIT BADIASHILE
Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile is easily the most accomplished 17-year-old across the major European leagues this term, with 16 appearances in Ligue 1 and two in the Champions League to date.
LB: STANLEY NSOKI
Even with Juan Bernat and Layvin Kurzawa for competition, Stanley Nsoki has earned himself 11 league outings for Paris Saint-Germain following a pair of assists against Monaco in the season-opening Super Cup.
CDM: AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI
Tall, strong and an expert tackler, it’s little wonder Aurelien Tchouameni has been afforded 14 appearances across Ligue 1 and the Europa League for Bordeaux this term.
CDM: ENZO LOIODICE
Dijon’s Enzo Loiodice could be described as a lightweight version of Tchouameni, though he’s still completed more successful tackles than any teenage midfielder in Ligue 1.
CAM: SOFIANE DIOP
Sofiane Diop is quickly learning how to get by at the highest level as one of the smallest players on the pitch, with the 5’4” creator making 22 appearances for Monaco this season.
RW: MOUSSA DIABY
It can’t be easy wanting to play in the same position as Neymar at PSG, Moussa Diaby is making a decent fist of it with four goals and five assists to his name in 26 outings.
LW: MOUSSA SYLLA
Moussa Sylla might not yet be the next Kylian Mbappe, but his four senior goals for Monaco – including one in the Champions League against Club Brugge – make him worth keeping an eye on.
ST: RAFAEL LEAO
No ordinary 19-year-old bags seven goals in his debut Ligue 1 campaign, but Lille’s Rafael Leao – who’s failed to score in consecutive outings only four times since 16 December – definitely isn’t typical.
Check out the team in full below…
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