Move over Messi and Ronaldo – the new generation shining at World CupImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Of the 85 players aged 21 or younger at the World Cup, one is aged 17, 11 are 18, 8 are 19, while there are 28 aged 20 and 37 aged 21ByNeil JohnstonBBC Sport journalist in New YorkPublished1 hour agoIt’s not just World Cup veterans Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who have made their mark at the 2026 tournament – the next generation is also making a huge impression.Of the 85 players aged 21 or under selected to feature in the United States, Mexico and Canada, many have seized the moment and are playing without fear.Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye, aged 18 years and 143 days, became the fourth youngest goalscorer in World Cup history when he scored a late consolation for the Lions of Teranga in a 3-1 defeat by France in New Jersey on 16 June.
Five days later, Lamine Yamal (18 years and 343 days) popped up with Spain’s first in a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta.
Other youngsters have flown under the radar.
Mexico’s teenage attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora was not even born when Messi, Ronaldo and Luka Modric played at the 2006 World Cup.
Mora became the youngest player to represent a home nation at the World Cup (17 years and 240 days) when he came on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over South Africa, the very first game of this tournament on 11 June.
We already knew Lamine Yamal would be a key player at the World Cup.
But who are the young breakout stars to emerge from the group stage? BBC Sport looks at five who have caught the eye.
