11 budding superstars to watch at the Under-20 World Cup

France are the tournament’s reigning champions, though they won’t be able to defend their crown after failing to qualify. Still, it’s not just Myanmar and Fiji you can keep an eye on; more traditional giants like respective five- and six-time winners Brazil and Argentina will be present at the tournament starting May 30.

You only need look at some past Golden Ball winners as evidence. From Argentina, the likes of Diego Maradona, Javier Saviola, Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero have all swept up the individual prize. If you’re looking for a more recent example, current Champions League finalist Paul Pogba was the best player when he led France to glory two years ago.

So, whether it’s following the progress of your side’s prize academy talent or spotting the heir to his throne -- or just making a desperate attempt to hold off the withdrawal symptoms that invariably arrive with the close of the domestic season -- you’ll find a reason to tune in. The only question that remains is who should you be looking out for? Without further ado, here are a few names to get you started.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Brandt has already been linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs -- most strongly Bayern Munich -- but seeing he’s already at a pretty good one, it’s no wonder that the 19-year-old is in no rush to force things. The attacker has already established himself as a regular face in Roger Schmidt’s first team, having appeared 24 times in the Bundesliga so far this season, scoring four goals along the way. He’s most used to a role on the left of an attacking trident, though he has the physical capability and technical skill to play anywhere across the attacking midfield band. Few players in this tournament boast experience at a level he does, so Brandt might look like a man playing against boys.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Carter-Vickers signed his first professional contract with the north London club at the end of last year, and has continued to impress at the heart of their U-21 side’s defense. Even up against the likes of Radamel Falcao, Carter-Vickers has looked sturdy at the back, with Spurs’ reserve team coach Ugo Ehiogu noting that “he isn’t fazed by anything.” That’s made all the more remarkable by the fact that he’s still only 17, making him the youngest player on the U.S. squad. The future looks bright for the USMNT’s defense if the English-born center back can continue to develop at such a pace.

It would be rude to not include at least one Nigerian player, with their U-17 team having romped to a fourth World Cup title back in 2013. Many of those players will look to continue their impressive run through the youth ranks at this tournament, though special focus will be on young attacker Iheanacho, who won the Golden Ball in Abu Dhabi two years ago. Since then he’s earned a move to Manchester City, where he’s scored four times in five games for their reserves. Iheanacho is regarded as Africa’s top young talent, and will be looking to deliver on the promise with plenty of goals in New Zealand.

Correa arrived at Atlético Madrid from Argentine side San Lorenzo as one of the nation’s top young prospects last year, though he hasn’t had anything like the start he hoped for. Correa spent most of the last year on the sidelines after heart surgery, and has yet to make a first team appearance for Diego Simeone’s side. However, if he manages to get back to his best, the debut shouldn’t be long in coming. While Correa still presumably has some physical developing to do, his ability to find space in the final third, coupled with his quick decision-making, suggests he has the potential to fit in at Átleti -- as well as dominate this tournament.

Most Manchester United fans understandably have no idea just how good Pereira could become, but the prospect of losing him on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer was enough for them to breathe heavy sighs of relief upon his contract renewal earlier in the month. After all, having lost Pogba to Juventus on a free transfer a few seasons back, they’ve already been stung by the Bosman. As it is, the Belgian-born Pereira looks like a neat prospect indeed, having starred in an attacking midfield role for the Reds’ reserves and impressing sufficiently enough to make his Premier League debut from the bench in March. With exceptional close control and an eye for the killer pass, he could be the jewel of this Brazil team.

Poyet was born in Zaragoza when his father Gus was leading their local team to some of the finest moments in the club’s history, though he speaks in classic Estuary English after having spent his formative years in London. Despite having played for England as a schoolboy, Poyet elected to play for the country of his father, Uruguay, and made his debut at the U-20 level back in March. Domestically, he’s not yet established himself as a Premier League regular after moving to West Ham United last summer, though was named Player of the Year at Championship club Charlton for 2013-14, and certainly seems ready for a breakout season. Tough in the tackle and precise in the pass, Uruguay will be expecting him to boss the midfield here.

River Plate attacker Giovanni Simone is the second son of a former great on this list, with the 19-year-old born to incumbent Atlético Madrid manager Diego in the Spanish capital back in 1995. He’s elected to follow in his father’s footsteps and play for Argentina rather than the country of his birth, and if his performances to date are anything to go by, Spain will be rather disappointed. Simeone hasn’t yet managed to establish himself as a starter at River, making only eight starts since his debut a couple of seasons ago, though he finished as the top scorer in the South American U-20 tournament that Argentina won earlier this year. He will no doubt be a regular feature again in New Zealand, where he can further establish his own credentials.

Živković became the youngest ever to play for the Serbian national team when he was called up by Siniša Mihajlović at just 17 years of age in 2013. He’d made his domestic debut a year prior to that, meaning he’s already got regular first team football experience under his belt. He’ll likely be used out wide for Veljko Paunović‘s U-20 outfit, where he’ll undoubtedly be expected to terrorize defenders en route to cementing his reputation as one of the most prized talents in European football at present.

Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem has yet to make a Premier League start for the Gunners, though you’ve probably already heard of the Berlin-born midfielder thanks to the excitement that surrounded his decision to play for the United States -- where he moved to from Germany in 2006. Zelalem will likely fill a role as the most attacking of Tab Ramos’ midfielders in New Zealand, where his excellent ability to find space between the lines could come in handy. USMNT first team coach Jürgen Klinsmann has already suggested he’s ready for a full international cap, so he should be a stand-out performer already. No pressure, Gedion.