alexis sanchez!

jarl, kristiansand,

Danny from St Helens, Football Manager isn't always right.

Brendan, Minehead, England

What about Arda Turan? and Pique?

OWELL, london, england

There a few names missing Pato, Bojan, Walcott, Raafel, Henri Saivet, Fellaini, Witsel, Rodwell, Ramsey, Gourcuff, Keirrison, kroos, Masal Bugduv.
But all the a same good list

Danny, St Helens , England

fellaini?
Raafel?

Danny, St Helens,

Pato?

kevin, POS, trinidad

C'mon how can you haved missed Paddy McCourt?

Bob, Glasgow,

giovani dos santos (tottenham) and carlos vela (arsenal) should be on here, I think; also Ki Sung Yong (FC Seoul), who's teammate Lee Chung Yong is #40 on this list

Jason Ryou, Seoul, Korea

santon, bojan, "kiko" marcheda, de silvestri, mancienne, caroll, ben amos, neuer, andrea rossi, they where???

Adoel, Jakarta, Indonesia

Hernanes will be the best football player in 2009.

Vieira, Pereiras,

good list but some problems.

Everyone is saying Bojan,pato and aguero.

I htink aguero is 1st team so he doesnt realy count.

Also well done for putting in Fleck,Gosling,Moses,Shannon Cole and Jose Baxter.

You could of added: Tom Soares (C palace), Lulinha and Dean Bouzanis (Liverpool)

Jake, Sydney, Australia

Fabian Delph, By all means, he played excellent against peterborough at the weekend. His stamina and skill is amazing. Lets hope Leeds Can Keep him!
Marching On Together!
LEEDS

Paul, Leeds,

What about Toni Kroos? He's playing for Bayern Munich. He's the most promising talent in German football. He's the Bayern saves its no 10 kit for. Playmaker and both right and left winger. Nice top 50, but, missing some great talents. who is benzema ;-) ?

stefan , munich,

You are missing so many players- Pato, Krcic, Nasri, Ben Arfa, Gourcuff?
Terrible List- Who on Earth made this?

Is it supposed to be unkown stars- Why is Benzema and Silva on it?
This is so bad

Joao, leicster, england

Hey Rupert, I saw a story in The Sun about rising star Masal Bugduv . How come he isn't mentioned here?

AG, Bristol,

What about Bojan Krkic? This is too centered on English football.

Bob , Somerville, USA

Where is that non-existant 16 year old Moldovan starlet Masal Bugduv ? I'm sure he was listed here at 30 last time I looked..

Alan Duggan, Slough,

where is Stefan Jovetic of Fiorentina? or Zdravko Kuzmanovic?

Pietro, Philadelphia,

The sickening assumption is that there are no promising young players playing the game in Africa! Such lists are pointless because of the short-sightedness of the compilers!

Gilbert Phiri, Swindon, UK

How can Masal Bugduv get a mention while CSKA Moscow's Alan Dzagoev goes unmentioned?

Stuart Morrison, Mancester, England

What happened to the fictitous Masal Bugduv at # 30. More interestingly, how did Jay Simpson go from not being on the list at all to #30 in Bugduv's place. Admit the error on Bugdov, move evryone up one and make Simpson #50.

Om, NYC, USA

Maybe I missed something but wheres Vela?? or Marcus Berg from FC Groningen or Moussa Dembele

Hassan, London, UK

Hellow everybody....
well...i wonder where Ibisevic and Salihovic are on this list...LOL
and Miralem Pjanic ( 18 years, moved from Metz to Lyon for 7.5 million euro) ....bad list of players i have 2 say....also missing Bojan Krkic and Figuero...

Armin, Stuttgart,

I'd like to hear more about Masal Bugduv, he sounds exciting. It's encouraging to know The Times has such dedicated and knowledgeable staff uncovering future heroes.

Adam, Manchester, UK

this list is quite ridiculous! where is bojan, pato or kroos??

manu, stuttgart, germany

i can't understand the way this list has been done, i wouldn't write David silva on this list as he's already a top player. But if u do so, you missed too many players (Mata fr Valencia as well, Walcott, Vela, etc,) And what about, Bojan and S Busquets ( Barcelona) Fran Merida, Diego Capel, Insua

Frank Herrera, Bristol, England

eh, wait a minute. u have players over 21 yet no lionel messi? surely he is yet to reach his potential. also i'll tell you for a fact that giovinco of juventus is better than john fleck of rangers.

dave, glasgow,

Tom Dart, you havent heard or seen Ferrie Bodde (Swansea) play this year prior to his injury! Bought for 50k, touted to be worth 5/6 million. recognised not by his own fans but those of other clubs. Will one day play in teh championship and for represent Holland.

chris, swansea, wales

Manchester City have been in the youth cup final for the past two years, Chelsea were in the final last year, yet none of their players can make this list? As a Chelsea fan I can name Di Santo, Stoch, Mancienne, Sergio Tejera, Michael Woods and Gael Kakuta as fantastic prospects.

M Goad, Hemel Hempstead, England

You're right, I haven't heard of most of them and I reckon you've never heard of Chelsea's Franco Di Santo. He has far more promise than Jack Wilshere.... and you've placed him 6th!!

Dave Brett, Deal, England

Good to see John Fleck in there, played his first full game for Rangers today and a huge talent.

I think the list is about up and coming players, not already established young talents.

Mike , Adderbury, UK

What about Leo Messi Who is only 21, Bojan, Pato, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anderson or Rooney?

Arron S, Manchester,

John Fleck lol

Barry, London, England

Hernanes, the best of all !!!!!

Paulo Fidelis de Araujo, Brasília, Brasil

Agreed! Where is Aiden?

James, Preston,

what about Ehsan Hajysafi, he is already an permanent Iranian International at 18!!!

zasman, leeds, uk

Having read about him before he vanished from this list, Manchester City have reportedly made an offer of 54 million for Masal Bugduv, surely the Moldovan maestro will be lining up alongside Robinho, Ireland and Kaka very soon!

Ivan, Balti,

Why no Aiden McGeady??

Jim, Manchester, england

Surely Masal Bugduv deserves a spot on the list after Arsenal fighting to get him and after his lovely assist in the Moldovan game against Armenia?

Masal Bugduv, Tirol,

Where's Dzagoev (CSKA MOSCOW)? New russian wonderkid...

Aleksei, Helsinki, Suomi

yeah where is Masal Bugduv?
already a legend amongst those who know...!

M. CINQUE, Munich,

strange list. A 25 years old player, and no mention of Bojan...

on the other hand, I looked at the list the other day and was surprised when I saw a Moldovan player whose name I forgot. I was looking for his name to see whether there are some clips on youtube... but now there are no Moldovans...

Pablo Miguez, Montevideo, Uruguay

MG

there are 16 british players on the list. That's a fantastic amount considering it's a top 50.

great list, shame about the moldovan player. Anyone else know who replaced him in the list

Robert, York,

What about Moldovan international Masal Bugduv, the next Zidane only with more hair.

Christian, Southampton,

It is a sad indictment of the state of UK football when you see how poorly represented the UK is on this list. The real talent never makes it to the top. They are overlooked at lads level, unless of course their Dad or their mates Dad runs the rep teams.. or manage/played in the top flight.

MG, portsmouth,

Nice list but where are Bojan Krkic, Toni Kroos, Tomas Necid, Alberto Paloschi, Marko Marin?

Hank, Brussels,

You forgot Tommy Rowe at Stockport County the boy will go to the top.

Ian Shaw, Denton, England

they only forgot some young stars :
PATO
BOJAN

BRUNO GODOI, SAO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, BRASIL

Really strange list in terms of consistency, neither a list of players that the majority havent heard of nor a list of players who will have the biggest impact this year. Nice to see the Fonz at 21, but surely in terms of the young english talent Ashley Young will have the biggest year, even PFA win

Brett Atkins, Kidderminster,

Yassine Chikhaoui (FC Zurich), Obertan (Bordeaux), Suarez (Ajax), Aquafresca (Inter), Paloschi (Milan), Menez (Roma), Gakpe (Monaco), Payet (St Etienne), Loic Remy (Nice), Elyounoussi (heerenven) ????

othman, london, England

I saw Fabio at number 9, but did I miss Rafael? And where is Anderson? Considering the club and level he is playing at and after his debut season in which even Fergie admitted to be being taken by surprise, he should surely be in the top 5. If only he could get on the scoresheet.

Jason, Dublin, Ireland

Where is Arda Turan from Galatasaray? This guy should have been in Top 5. It is unbelievable that you missed this player!

R, Marmaris, Turkey

If Ingelsted could make the list, then why not Dagoberto of Sao Paulo? 25-years old and considered one of the brighter stars of the Brazilian league? Been following his career and he looks the real deal. This list is way too biased in favor of English league players.

Dan, Papeete,

david luiz from SL benfica should also be on this list, great defender!

Joao, Lisbon, Portugal

Where,s Scott brown (Celtic}?

George, Glasgow, Scotland

What about Pato?

Daniel, Brindisi, Italy

Hahaha, this is a strange list, mixing young talants with established players.

i see that noone mentions fabregas, but if you want players such as messi, aguero on the list then surely he should be there too, he's still only 21!!!

Bambi, Norrköping, Sweden

I think Marek Hamsik (Napoli) should be at least in the top 10...a midfielder with incredible vision and positioning and only 20!!!

Ommited:

Banega
Saivet
Ramsey
Bojan Krkic
......

If this list would've been submitted by Wenger it would be far more complete!

Alex Sa, Wisbech,

Where is Gourcuff ??????? He is the future of French football !! Come on guys...

Largo, Montreal, Canada

Always interesting to read such lists, but there are some glaring names not on the list. Now, I would be tempted to excuse this, and put it down to the fact that we are not meant to have heard of these players as such, their "star" is still "rising" (hence the title). But Villa? Surely he has risen!

Peter Gill, Leeds, UK

But the truth is that none of the English prospects will be elevated to the Premier League when all the scouts are in far flung corners of the world looking for anyone who isn't English.

Carlo, boston, usa

i thought gourcuff was 22?

tentonipete, Bristol, UK

and Pato (ac Milan)?
Where's Pato Alexander?

Stefano, Perugia, Italy

Hernanes is really a great talent, and he will go to Europe when some europe team pay to São Paulo € 25 mi, that is his value.

Débora, Brasília, Brasil

Aaron Ramsey,Gareth Bale,Chris Gunter,Wayne Hennessey where are they/

G.Hedges, New Quay, Wales

I think that Alberto Chimenti is the best player now. He's 19 years old and was born in Grosseto (IT) and he is playing in Juventus.

Sandro Petrini, Siena, Italy

look out for Ravel Morrison, a man utd forward. still only 15 so won't be making the team just yet but he looks the business

chris, london, england

David Mcgoldrick is awful, I do hope that someone buys him from us ASAP!

Danny Bevans, Southampton,

Aaron Ramsey doesnt make it but some people on this list arent near his talent

Jmes, london, England

Daniel Sturridge?

Joe Kay, Stockport, Cheshire

Hooray, Altifore's in TOP-10!! Imo, he's not the new Adu, he's by far a better stirker. I had a chance to watch him playing back in MLS and I agree that he's gonna be a huge star in the forthcoming years!

T.Vandom, Rochester, NY, USA

Aaron Ramsey?

andy r, Gaborone,

How can Mouranne Fellaini and Jack Rodwell of Everton be overlooked. Both are potential International captains in the making!

Jamie Clarke, Sheffield,

there are always going to be omissions from a list like this, and no one will ever produce a list that every one agrees on, however i feel that unless alexandre pato has been left out because he is already a star, then it is the key ommision from this list, he's amazing.

Tom, Leeds,

Breno from Bayern is a huge rising star. Top defender for Brazil national team.

Zap, Berlin, Germany

Arsenal have hundreds of amazing youngsters. yet only one makes it? what about. Ramsey, Gibbs, Walcott, Simpson, G Hoyte, Vela. to new only a few.

Will, London, UK

Steven Defour : at 20 captain of Liège, Belgian international... After years in the doldrums, Belgium is coming up with a new batch of talent which could oon prove exciting (Fellaini, Kompany are well known on British shores already, surely more will follow).

Charles, Paris, France

Blue Dragon, Chung-yong~!!!
can't wait to c him on EPL!!
u wait,,, soon,,,u'll c him there!

danny Han, brooklyn, u.s.a

Cannot believe the opinion expressed here. What on earth did the writer of this article use as his criteria ? Totally ignores some brilliant up and coming English talent and some of the talent that is identified is tenuous to say the least.

C.Gough, Wolverhampton, England

Arda Turan definitly needs to be on this list. At the age of 20, he has at times single handidly led Galatasaray to their league win last year with the most assists in the league.

Musab, New York City, America

Vedad Ibisevic - Hoffenheim's premium Bosnian striker, Giuseppe Rossi - currently at Villareal after a succesful stint with Sir Alex Ferguson, Ilsinho - Brazilian flamboyant winger, Shakhtar Donetsk, Dario Cvitanich - Argentina excellent goalscorer, Ajax , Ever Banega - Xavi-type midfielder

Fernando Lima, São Paulo, Brazil

OMG i cant belive they didny put Sergio Aguero in this list and Giuseppe Rossi..I think they should 've been first and second in this list!!!!!!!

giovanni, Atlantic city, usa

Marko Marin, Toni Kroos, Neven Subotic

Andrew Freeman, Redwood City, United States

Giuseppe Rossi needs to be included in this list

Pino, Roma, Italia

Good to see Super Sammy Baldock (MK Dons) grace a list like this - future England International - The new Michael Owen!

nick, Woking,

Where is the turkish player Arda Turan ????

Gabbe, gothenburg, sweden

I'm Sorry but hernanes is the best as Gerrard.

Aldo, São Paulo, São Paulo

Patrik Ingelsten(26 y.o), are u guys kiddin' me or what?!
If u had to pick one swede, why don't the young Marcus Berg in FC Groningen who are the second top scorer in eredivise?

And where is Jerémy Menéz? And several other youngsters..

This list was a real mix.

Johan, Stockholm, Sweden

excuse me - David Mcgoldrick???????? like him as I do , i think that there are other Saints youngsters who are more promising- Adam Lalana, Lloyd James, Jamie White .........

jane bridger, Southampton, Hants

Have a look at Robert Lewandowski from Lech(Poland) he is like young Marco Van Basten best Polish player since Boniek

Przemek, Gniezno, Poland

Shannon Cole! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Great at free kicks but does nothing else. It's like playing with ten men when he's on the team.

Nick, London,

I have to admitt that Lewandowski is the best young player in Poland

Patrick, Szczecin, Poland

Hernanes don't play as an attacking midfielder. In fact he plays as a central midfielder in São Paulo and defensive mid in national team. His soccer style is VERY different then Kaká's.
He isn't fast, plays and kick with both legs and have marking skills. Surely he'll play as box-to-box mid in europ

Vitor Hausen, Porto Alegre, Brasil

I can't believe Jamie O'Hara is not in the list. What he is doing for Spurs is great!

Stuart Minchington, San Mateo, USA

hernanes is the new kaka....50 millions at least....second player of sao paulo after rogerio ceni

tiago ferreira, sorocaba, brasil

I think Lewandowski from Poland will be one of the best striker in Europe in the near futere. Now, people in teh World don't know who is Lewandowski, but I suggest - remembered this surname:). I think in this ranking should be Kuba Blaszczykowski (he plays in Borussia Dortmund ).

Krystian, Łazy, Poland

Some players you can understand being omited after already breaking through, hence I can understand, Ramsey - already moved for a big fee, similarly Evans has made it in the Manchester United first team. However there are some blatant omissions, such as Rafael da Silva and Bojan

Mark, Doncaster,

Jethwa, here at Kolkata is only seventeen and is a solid presence in mid field and has a great potential, deffinately deserving of a mention!

Beeran, Kolkata, India

I don't really get it... Where's Pato? Or is he already to be considered as an established star in the football world?

Bjorn, Stockholm, Sweden

where are messi, aguero,ecc...?i'm a juventus supporter but marchisio is not so good to merit the 10th position.

luca, brescia, italy

This will have 'Football Manager' fans all over the country scouring their databases!

Scott, Plymouth,

Lewandowski from Lech is going to be the new, better van Nisterlooy

tom, Zdunia, Poland

Hernanes is class. But he's no attacking midfielder. He's a central midfielder who played as a defensive midfielder in 2006/2007 and had a more free role in 2008. He's kind of Gerrard style, can go forward, score goals or assist, but is tough and tireless when defending.

Fabio M, São Paulo, Brazil

Ben Arfa from Marseille(s). 21 years. The new Maradona as Aymé Jacquet said. I never seen a such incredible player.

Gourcuff from Bordeaux : the new Zidane.

Walcot : I like this player.

Thierry, Bordeaux, France

i think its quite a decent list actually with quiye a nice selection. obviously its not a definitive list, or there'd probably be at least 20 brazilians.

how about georgei wijnaldum at feyenoord. or miralem sulejmani at ajax. 20 years old and cost a dutch transfer record 16 million euros.

rick atkins, hull,

No Pato?????????????this is insane.....

simonlimon, milan, Italy

Hernanes is the guy.

Leo Trever, Paris, France

Yes I know I may be a bit baised as he plays for the club I support. But how can you have half the brits on this list and not include Joe Mattock of Leicester City!!!!??????

Rob, Leicester, UK

How can you have 24 year olds players on the same list of 16 year old players. Why don't you just include Christiano Ronaldo and Messi on the list well you at it.

Aaron, Halifax NS, Canada.

Where's Marcelo Nicácio?

Milani, São Paulo, Brasil

Bizarre list. A more clearly defined brief would help, so we know what this 50 is meant to represent? Why include players like Silva (who every one knows about) but exclude players such as Nasri? Gorcuff? Vela? Wellbeck? Merida? Evans? Walcott? A Young?! Poor piece designed to inflame response.

Jonathan Neale, London, England

I see no mention of Stevan Jovetić the 19 yo Montenegrin international who plays for Fiorentina? Fergie enquired about him a couple of years ago when he played for Partizan Belgrade.

Gordon Barnes, Podgorica, Montenegro

The list is a joke! Looks like its been put together in ten minutes! How can you have rubbish like McGoldrick in there and not have Alexandre Pato who is one of the best young players in the world? If the list only includes 'rising' stars then why is the establised Silva and Benzema on the list?

Rob Reed, Southampton,

lol Shannon Cole?? definetly doesnt desere to be in this list.

Richard, Melbourne,

Sorry my friend but Keirrison would be placed at up 50's on this list. There are a lot of better than Keirrison. Despite that, I am very glad that Hernanes is the first one in the list. He plays in the greatest Sao Paulo F.C.

Jesse, LP, Brazil

What about Sergio Aguero ? Although I suppose hes already pretty established himself as one of the best in the world. Alexander Pato at AC Milan HOW did he not make this list?

Steve, Glasgow,

How about Keirrison? He plays for Coritiba in Brazilian serie-A and is compared to Romario.... He is much better than many of players listed. He was the top scorer of 2008 brazilian championship. Barcelona, Valencia, Liverpool are watching him and trying to hire him to their squad.

Luiz, Tampa, USA

How about Keirrison, the brazilian top scorer compared to Romario? Why the Coritiba's player is not listed. He is much better than many players listed and Liverpool, Barcelona and Valencia are fighting to hire him.

Luiz, Tampa, USA

Dani Pacheco anyone?

Craig, Cartagena, Spain

Bendtner's a crock of utter nonsense kasper, as for where he is, he's probably struggling to bag brace in some school lunch time match which is currently 41-34 with the bell approaching.

Robert Croft, London, London

What about Miles Addison at Derby County? One of the few good things about Derby pre Clough

Andrew, Peterborough, England

Why are so many Britons here?

Przem, Ketrzyn, Poland

very poor, even if u honestly think they are the top 50 youngsters (at least 40 are average to rubbish) lavezzi not no.1????????every club in the world wants him! John Fleck,Jack Wilshere top 10????im baffeled as you are the only writter who actually watches football outside of the prem!

Roberto, Milan, Italy

Andy Caroll should be in there at number 1, England squad next year !

Chris, Newcastle, England

Jonny Evans is playing centre half for the english, european and world club champions yet doesnt get a mention? Fergie has called him "the future". What more do you want!

alan, Belfast, Northern Ireland

pretty poor that you haven't got Gourcuff in there

mancienne, manchester,

Hernanes will be the best player very soon...
He is amazing, he shots very well with both legs and his skills to driblle as well as mark are impressive.
He leads Sao Paulo to a triple crown in the brazilian championship. You can hardly see any other player as widely skillfull as he is.

Rafael, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Adem Bernstein, here at Haifa, is fantastic prospect and very highly rated over here.
He's got pace, power and a sweet left foot.
Next idan tal, you heard it here first!

Eitan, Haifa, Israel

Shawcross (Stoke)

Rich, London,

Pato? He's averaging more than a goal every two games at the age of 19, yet he doesn't make the list?

Gourcuff: anyone seen him for Bordeaux? Has scored three incredible goals this season and regularly dominates games (see chelsea). Young Zidane tag is deserved. Not on the list.

Oh, and Bojan?

joe, newcastle,

Jack Wilshire is No. 6, but no Aaron Ramsey??

Lucy , London, United Kingdom

Jack Wilshire is No. 6, but no Aaron Ramsey??

Lucy , London, United Kingdom

Will Buckley of Rochdale should be higher than 49.

John, Rochdale,

Yoann Gourcuff (currently on loan to Bordeaux from Milan) is the most exciting prospect in France. Playing in the number 10 role he has singlehandedly saved Domenech's career as France's coach, and kept Bordeaux on Lyon's coat tails at the top of the league.
Definitely a superstar in the making!

Dave, Paris,

Where's Bendtner???

Kaspar, Århus, Denmark

David McGoldrick isn't even in the top 5 prospects in Southampton, let alone the top 50 in Europe!

Iain Warner, Southampton,

I know that the list is already UK (and indeed perhaps Man U) heavy, but did I miss them or are Danny Welbeck & Jonny Evans absent? They're 18 and (just) 20, respectively, and both are clearly destined for the very top.

Bill Vincent, LOndon,

All hail the football sage that is Mr. Marcotti, but its very biased towards latin players, and no Ibisevic? 18 goals in 17 league games this season in the Bundesliga. Benzema is the next global superstar.

Ed, London,

What About Gai Assulin from Barcelona!?

Pimpo, Torreon, Mexico

Khalfan Ibrahim is, of course, a talented player in the Middle East and may be the best young talent in the tiny Gulf nation of Qatar, which supports sports the best manner in Asia.
But the picture u have carried is not exact. I think it's nasser nabil,though Khalfan is seen (blurred) on his right.

nikhil, doha, qatar

You've included a load of lower league players but not Bojan Krkic from Barcelona? Leads me to think this list may be questionable. As for the ommision of Messi, Pato and Aguero, they might already be at big clubs but so is David Silva. Also if Wilshere gets in then Ramsay has to.

Richard, Longridge, England

This list is a stupid list...
Bojan, Pato, Ramsey, Jack Rodwel, Juan Mata, Henri Saivet, Sakho, Toni Kroos and so many more good young players missing...
While never heard of players have been included..

Gopal, Chennai, India

If this list is to be believed, then England will dominate world football for many years to come. Syrely there are more stars in Europe , South America and Africa that are better that this batch. Maybe, Arsene Wenger have the list. But, would he share it?

Loh, subang, malaysia

Possebon - Man Utd's exciting Brazilian midfielder is certainly one to watch. His play is a knowing mixture of gravel and honey

Carlos, Guangzhou,

Why has there been no inclusion of Barcelona's academy stars? Bojan, still at Barca, has the potential to be their future main goal-scorer. You should see his record in the youth teams. Merida, who joined Fabregas at Arsenal, is much likened to their current captain. Also Dos Santos, at Tottenham.

Oli Andryszewski, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

As well as Shannon Cole, you should keep an eye on Kofi Danning, the 18 year old striker at Sydney FC. I've seen him play for several years as my son was regularly in opposing teams, in local leagues in Canberra. Kofi has skill, speed, confidence & is a natural goal scorer. A nice guy too.

Stephen, Canberra, Australia

Surely Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal should be on the list?

Simon, Llanelli,

Where's Nemeth (Liverpool)??

Andrew, London, London