These are the 20 best men's soccer players under 21 on the planet right now

Age: 20

Position: Striker

Adeyemi scored 23 goals in all competitions for RB Salzburg last season, prompting Borussia Dortmund to come calling in the summer.

This season, he's scored twice in nine appearances, most of which have come from the bench. 

Age: 19

Position: Midfielder

The hot favorite to scoop the prize, Bellingham has the world at his feet.

A strong runner with the ball, a brilliant passer, and an acute eye for goal – he's scored four in four games in this season's Champions League – Real Madrid, Chelsea FC, and Liverpool FC are already eyeing him up, according to ESPN.

Age: 19

Position: Midfielder

Real Madrid landed Camavinga for the bargain price of just $37 million last summer after his impressive breakthrough season with Stade Rennais.

He's now a regular at the Santiago Bernabeu, having already made 13 appearances this season. 

Age: 20

Position: Forward

A skillful and creative-minded attacking midfielder, Liverpool signed Carvalho from newly promoted Fulham in May. 

He's scored two goals this season for Jurgen Klopp's side, including a memorable 98th minute winner against Newcastle United in August. 

Age: 19

Position: Forward

Fati may only be 19, but he's already made 70 appearances and scored 21 goals for Barcelona. 

Had he not missed almost a whole year of action because of injury, those numbers would be much higher, too. 

Age: 18

Position: Midfielder

Barcelona value Gavi so highly that, according to The Mirror, the club set his release clause at an eye-watering $1 billion when he signed a new deal in September.

"With Gavi we are renewing the present, the immediate present and the future of Barca," said Barcelona President Joan Laporta at the time.

"He is a paradigm of talent, effort. He is a player who goes for it all. It is a very happy day for the Catalans."

Age: 18

Position: Striker

Gnonto may be small – he's a mere 5-foot-5 – but he is mighty, scoring eight times for FC Zürich last season to help it win the Swiss Super League for the first time in 13 years. 

He moved to Leeds United in September, but is yet to make an appearance.

Age: 20

Position: Midfielder

"He's one of Europe's best young players," said Bayern Munich's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic of Gravenberch after he signed for the German club from Ajax in the summer. 

"[He] has excellent technique, always finds solutions in tight space, is very dynamic and a goal threat."

Age: 20

Position: Defender

Gvardiol has all the physical qualities you need in a central defender – speed, strength, and great aerial ability.

But he's also comfortable with the ball at his feet, which has made him a top target for Chelsea, which just missed out on his signature this summer. 

Age: 19

Position: Midfielder

Miretti was promoted to Juventus' first team permanently in the summer, and it didn't take him long to make an impact this season. 

On only his second start of the campaign, the Italian became the first player born after 2002 to provide an assist in Serie A as he teed up Arkadiusz Milik's goal in a 2-0 win over Spezia.

Age: 19

Position: Midfielder

Musiala was already a regular for Bayern Munich last season; however this term, he's proving to be its key player.

The English-born midfielder has scored five goals and produced five assists in just nine Bundesliga games. 

Age: 20

Position: Midfielder

On loan with Valencia from Barcelona, Nico has been dubbed as the heir to Sergio Busquets' throne at the Camp Nou.

"He is technically very gifted, is very intelligent and his physique is perfect," Fran Artiga, a coach who worked with Nico throughout his time at Barcelona's famed academy, La Masia, told Goal.

"With him, we have the chance to build a spectacular footballer."

Age: 20

Position: Defender

Mendes had started just over 35 matches for Sporting Lisbon when PSG came calling last year, signing the defender on a season-long loan with an option to buy for $45 million.

He quickly established himself as the French club's first-choice left back, and the team chose to make his move permanent in the summer. 

Age: 19

Position: Midfielder

Last year's Golden Boy is up for prize again this year, but no player has ever won it twice.

Given Pedri's credentials, however – he's already a regular for both Barcelona and Spain and has been described as the "best in the world" in his position by Barcelona manager and club icon Xavi – don't be too surprised if he becomes the first.

Age: 18

Position: Defender

Central defender Scalvini enjoyed a fine breakthrough season for Atalanta last season and this term has become a regular starter.

So impressive have his performances been over the past year, he was handed his first Italy call-up in January. 

Age: 19

Position: Striker

Šeško was wanted by a number of clubs in the summer, Chelsea and Manchester United included, but it was RB Leipzig which won the race for his signature. 

The Slovenia international, who scored 11 goals for Salzburg last season, will move to the German club at the end of the current campaign. 

Age: 18

Position: Defender

Silva has only made 10 senior appearances for Benfica, but according to CalcioMercato, Spanish giant Real Madrid is already eyeing a move for him. 

According to Media Foot Marseille, Manchester City and Barcelona are also interested in him. 

Age: 17

Position: Striker

The youngest player on the final shortlist for the Golden Boy award, Tel landed a move to Bayern Munich this summer from Stade Rennais, despite having only made a handful of senior appearances for the French side.

But he's already proven why the German team was so keen to take a gamble on him, scoring twice in his two starts this season. 

Age: 19

Position: Defender

A revelation for Udinese last year, Udogie scored five goals and provided three assists from left-back as The White and Blacks recorded their highest points total in Serie A since 2012-13.

The teenager, who was bought by Tottenham Hotspur in the summer but back on loan with Udinese, has continued in the same vein this term, scoring twice in nine games. 

Age: 20

Position: Forward

A target for both Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, according to Roma Press, Zalewski is a pacy and skillful winger who can operate on either flank. 

He's made nine appearances for Jose Mourinho's side already this season.