As Europe's premier club competition returns, a number of teenage wonderkids are looking to make their mark at the highest level
The Champions League is back for another season as the great and the good of European football begin their journeys towards what they hope will be the final in Istanbul.
While the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo tend to capture most of the pre-tournament headlines, the competition also offers the opportunity for some of the new stars of the game to showcase their talents to a global audience.
Just last season we saw Erling Haaland stun the world with his goalscoring exploits in Europe, netting 10 goals in eight appearances for Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund as the Norway international announced himself as the game's next great No.9.
Alphonso Davies, too, put in a number of stunning performances as a marauding full-back for eventual champions Bayern Munich in the knockout stages while NxGn 2020 winner Rodrygo became the youngest player to score a Champions League hat-trick in the group stages for Real Madrid.
But which teenager will be this season's breakout star in Europe's premier club competition? Goal breaks down 10 potential candidates to follow in the footsteps of Haaland, Davies and Rodrygo…
GettyJude Bellingham | Borussia Dortmund
Some may have laughed when Birmingham City retired Jude Bellingham's No.22 shirt following his departure in the summer, but it was a gesture that further illustrated what a talent the 17-year-old is.
Despite his lack of experience, England Under-21 international Bellingham is already a fixture in the Dortmund midfield following his €25 million (£23m/$29m) move, with Lucien Favre clearly believing the youngster can help drive the Bundesliga side to success at home and abroad.
AdvertisementGettyEduardo Camavinga | Rennes
Already a veteran of 50 first-team appearances and a goalscorer on his full debut for France, it is clear to see why any potential suitors for Eduardo Camavinga will likely have to pay around €100 million (£91m/$118m) to sign him next summer.
Camavinga, who does not turn 18 until November, has developed from largely being a defensively-minded midfielder last term to more of a dynamic box-to-box player in 2020-21, and, as such, the teenager who has been compared to Clarence Seedorf will likely feature heavily as Rennes make their first appearance in the competition.
GettyJeremy Doku | Rennes
Camavinga is not the only young star that Rennes are ready to showcase, either, after the Ligue 1 outfit spent €26 million (£23.5m/$31m) on transfer deadline day to sign Anderlecht winger Jeremy Doku.
The 18-year-old was previously a target of Liverpool's, with Jurgen Klopp having singled him out as a potential successor to Sadio Mane back in 2018, and after a breakout campaign in his homeland, Doku – who has already played and scored for the Belgium national team – is ready to be unleashed on Europe's top defences.
Getty ImagesAnsu Fati | Barcelona
This season promises to be huge for Ansu Fati, with the 17-year-old potentially having to prove himself worthy of taking up the mantle at Barcelona from Lionel Messi should the Argentine depart next summer.
The early signs are good, with Fati having been on fire for club and country in the opening weeks of the campaign, and after becoming the Champions League's youngest-ever goalscorer last season, the Spain international will now look to help lead the Blaugrana to European glory this time around.