Generational talents Phil Foden and Pedri hint at future Man City and Barcelona rivalry

After 15 years of thrilling battles, sublime skill and superhuman achievements, it looks like the careers of two of the greatest footballers to ever play the game are winding down.

For a generation of fans, the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era will be the best footballing memories of their lives, the pinnacle of greatness. For years many have argued over who was the best, but really we should just be grateful to have witnessed first-hand two extraordinary players at the peak of their powers.

As is the case in any field, not just football, the old is eventually replaced with the new. New legacies are forged and memories created, but it is difficult to not make comparisons to the greatness that came before.

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In Manchester City's Phil Foden and Barcelona's Pedri, football might have found its new generational talents. At the ages of 21 and 19 respectively, both have already earned reputations for leaving supporters open-mouthed with their technical brilliance and understanding of the game.

Of course, there are other brilliant young players who will one day be - or already are - among the best in the world. Erling Haaland could well be latching onto Foden passes next season, while the likes of Gavi and Ansu Fati are just as much a part of Xavi's youth revolution at Barca as Pedri. But none are spoken about in revered tones by legends of the game quite like Foden and Pedri are.

"He is the most talented player I have ever seen," Pep Guardiola famously said of Foden in 2019. When Rio Ferdinand asked him last year if Messi was not the best he'd ever seen, the City boss elaborated.

"Well, the best is Messi, first. Second, I didn't meet