World Cup U-21 All-Star XI: The brightest young talent on show in Brazil

The World Cup is the stage where every player wants to deliver. However, while plenty of household names and the usual suspects will be turning on the style in the home of Samba this summer, there will undoubtedly be several youngsters that grab the headlines.

The times when a player could emerge as a virtual unknown and take a tournament by storm are becoming increasingly rare, given the nature of world football and the vast amount of talent from across the globe that ply their trade in Europe.

However, with the watching world desperate to see young and exciting talent embarrass seasoned professionals on a regular basis Squawka has picked a team of players aged 21 and under that have been tipped to shine in the sweltering South American sun, including some representatives from Roy Hodgson’s England World Cup squad.

Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois

Before the Twitter backlash begins, we’re well aware that Courtois is 22 years of age. Hypocrites? That’s us. But so few countries pick a man between the sticks whose years are so tender so the Belgian earns his place virtually unopposed.

He may well return to Chelsea for next season, but he has already earned his place in Atletico Madrid folklore and could do the same with the Red Devils in Brazil.

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