The league that made Lionel Messi is no stranger to shaping the careers of young talents. Indeed, La Liga have been a launching pad for several top youngsters in world football.
The Spanish national team has also benefitted massively as most players are homegrown. However, there have always been some standouts from the foreign lands. Therefore, it is no surprise that the league is always counted upon to produce top-class names.
Who is Unai Herandez, the latest young sensation signed by Barcelona from Girona?
Despite the supremacy of veterans in the best clubs, there are a number of teams who are not afraid to blood young guns. In that regard, FootTheBall looks at the top 10 starlets to watch out for in 2022-23.
Alejandro Balde (Barcelona)
The 18-year-old left-back is one of the brightest lights in Barcelona’s youth regiment. Balde joined the club in 2011 from Espanyol, before making his senior debut in late 2021.
❗️| Alejandro Balde will be Jordi Alba’s backup if no one is signed. If someone does come, the club will look to loan him out. [@gerardromero via @Polyccio8] pic.twitter.com/xtyvF55mnS
— La Senyera (@LaSenyera) July 26, 2022
Xavi has not been afraid to inculcate a mix of veterans and youth graduates. Balde is also favoured by the fact that there’s not much competition in the left-back role.
Jordi Alba is the designated starter, and Balde will be his deputy. He has made five appearances so far, and is a regular for Spain U19s. With the club unlikely to sign a left-back, Balde would see his game increase manifold.
Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)
The career of “Japanese Messi” has been a stop-start one. Kubo signed for Sociedad after failing to make a single senior appearance for Real Madrid.
He was constantly loaned out, which could not have been his easy. His output has not been anything special, which provided further impetus to his critics. However, the young star is still only 21, with his best years ahead of him.
Sociedad are a fine club to kickstart his career, and they could viably challenge for Europe in 2022-23. Therefore, Kubo will need to bring his A-game, and with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on the horizon as well.
Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
One of the most exciting players in La Liga, Nico Williams made a sizeable impression in 2021-22.
Playing down the right flank, Williams ran defenders ragged alongside regularly getting into dangerous areas. Moreover, he had enough in the tank to chase down…
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