Eurosport.com on Sunday listed 10 football rising stars that could make a real impact next season.
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina)
Having already ousted Ludovic Giuly from the starting eleven, he overshadowed Robinho in Barcelona's 0-3 triumph at the Bernabeu, and followed that with a magnificent performance capped by a glorious strike against Racing Santander.
2. Nemanja Vidic (Spartak Moscow/Serbia)
Nemanja Vidic has emerged as one of the top defenders to be playing outside the "major" European leagues. he has been the subject of tentative enquiries by the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, although Spartak aren't short of cash and will hold out for close to 14 million euros for the player.
3. Yaya Toure (Olympiakos/Cote d'Ivoire)
Yaya Toure is a strong and ruthless holding midfielder of high technical ability. With a series of impressive displays both domestically and in the Champions League, January could be the time when he makes the move although a move may be delayed until the summer on account of his participation in the African Nations Cup that month.
4. Freddy Adu (DC United/USA)
Perhaps the most sought-after teenager in world football.
Despite being only 16 years old, the striker is coveted by a host of major clubs around Europe, as well as both the American and Ghanaian national sides.
While Ghana, the country of his birth, have already offered him a place in their 2006 World Cup squad, Freddy is reportedly keen to represent the USA, his adopted home country.
He still has 4 years left on his contract at DC United, but after that, a big money move to Europe is likely to follow.
5. Rio Mavuba (Bordeaux/France)
Mavuba's rapid progress up the footballing ranks was confirmed by Raymond Domenech's decision to include him for France's key World Cup Qualifying fixture against Ireland two months ago.
As a midfielder, he has been likened to Patrick Vieira, and is seen by many as his natural successor in the French side.
6. Sergio Aguero (Independiente/Argentina)
To give an indication of his value, reports in Spain and England suggested just last week that Villareal were preparing a 27-million-euro offer for the 17 year old Independiente forward.
Having drawn comparisons with Romario due to his stocky stature and predatory instincts, the Argentine starlet's hopes of a place in Jose Pekerman's World Cup squad were raised after recent praise from the coach.
7. Romeo Castelen (Feyenoord/Netherlands)
Following his move from ABO Den Haag to Feyenoord in summer 2004, Surinam-born Castelen has proved himself a dangerous, free-scoring winger, and able deputy for Arjen Robben in the Dutch National side.
Tall, graceful and blessed with pace, his return from injury will be a welcome boost for Feyenoord in the New Year.
8. Theo Walcott (Southampton/England)
The 16-year-old Walcott has become an instant hit with four goals in ten starts in his debut season with the recently relegated South Coast club.
With a sublime touch and ferocious turn of pace he came to the fore with a superbly taken goal against Luton and is reportedly interesting Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
9. Javier Mascherano (Corinthians/Argentina)
Small but robust, the 21-year-old midfielder has already attracted the attention of Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, as well as being mentioned as a possible successor to Roy Keane at Manchester United.
10. Emanuel Adebayor (Monaco/Togo)
Rangy and skilful, not unlike a Nwankwo Kanu blessed with pace, this 21-year-old has mostly come to the fore through top-scoring for African minnows Togo in their shock World Cup qualification campaign.
Linked with January moves to Premiership clubs, if he holds out until the summer a good performance in Germany could see his stock rise further.