❌ U-20 World Cup absentees: Yamal, Doué, Mastantuono... | OneFootball

The U-20 World Cup kicks off this weekend and will feature many talents to watch, but due to age, which big stars will miss out?

1. Franco Mastantuono (Argentina)

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The former River Plate attacker and current Real Madrid winger is already a full international with Argentina and is very focused on starting his legacy with the Spanish giants.

2. Estevao (Chelsea)

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He shone at Palmeiras, showcased his quality at the Club World Cup, is already part of Chelsea’s setup, and has debuted with Brazil’s senior team. He is one of the world’s top football talents, could play due to his age, but will be one of the big absentees.

3. Endrick (Real Madrid)

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The Real Madrid striker, who has already played for Brazil’s senior team, will not be at the tournament despite being eligible at 19 years old. He has just returned from injury and hopes to give Xabi Alonso some tough decisions in the attack.

4. Vitor Roque (Brazil)

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The Rio-born striker made a big impact with Athletico Paranaense, which earned him a move to Barcelona and later a stint at Betis. He didn’t quite shine in Europe, but it did lead to a move to Palmeiras, where he is now one of the strongest players in the Brasileirao. He has already debuted with the senior ‘Canarinha’ squad.

5. Lamine Yamal (Spain)

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The Spanish talent could play with the U-19, U-20, or U-21 national teams, but he has already won a EURO with Luis de la Fuente’s senior squad.

6. Pau Cubarsí (Spain)

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The Barcelona center-back went from Spain’s U-17s almost straight to the senior team—with a brief stint in the U-21s—and already has a year and a half with Luis de la Fuente’s squad. At just 18 years old, he is a starter for one of the best clubs in the world and for the reigning EURO champions.

7. Dean Huijsen (Spain)

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His global breakthrough at both Bournemouth and Real Madrid has, in a good way, fast-tracked his progression straight to Spain’s senior team and to Xabi Alonso’s defense. His high level has led him there, making him unavailable for this World Cup.

8. Desiré Doué (France)

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The French winger made a huge impact last season with France and PSG, so much so that he finished second in the ‘Kopa Trophy’ and 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings. He has already won everything in France and debuted with the senior ‘Les Bleus’ team.

9. Lenny Yoro (France)

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The French center-back shone so brightly with Lille that Manchester United paid 62 million in 2024, snatching him from Real Madrid. He has yet to debut with France’s senior team, but at 18 he was already playing for Thierry Henry’s U-23s.

10. Giovanni Leoni (Italy)

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The center-back didn’t spend much time in Italy’s lower youth teams because he began to shine at Padova in Serie C. Then, in 2024, he was called up for the U-18 and U-19 squads and, even though he hasn’t played for the U-21s or the senior team, he signed for Liverpool at just 18 years old, which would already rule him out of the tournament, but he also suffered a cruciate ligament injury right before the tournament.

Additionally, here are some other talents who won’t be going.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

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