Mbappe, Odegaard, Donnarumma: The best U18 XI in Europe was named in 2016

In 2016, a 17-year-old Kylian Mbappe was emerging into one of Ligue 1’s biggest stars with Monaco.

The Frenchman was one of the hottest properties in world football and was named in Marca’s XI of best European players aged 18 or under.

But who else made Marca’s side? And, six years on, how are they faring?

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Donnarumma became AC Milan’s starting goalkeeper at the age of just 16 years old.

He has since emerged into one of the best goalkeepers in world football.

After 251 appearances for the Italian giants, Donnarumma made the move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

He has played 40 times for Italy and was named Player of the Tournament in Gli Azzurri’s Euro 2020 triumph.

RB: Cristian Manea

Manea has not hit the heights expected of him. In 2016, Maena was 18 years old and at Belgian outfit, Mouscron.

He now turns out for CFR Cluj in the Romanian top tier.

CB: Joe Gomez

Gomez had recently made the move from Charlton Athletic to Liverpool six years ago.

He’s still at Liverpool but injuries have curtailed his progress and he’s now on the periphery of the first-team.

Gomez has played just 14 times this campaign and a move away from the club could be on the cards this summer.

CB: Reece Oxford

Oxford made his West Ham debut at the age of 16 and, at the time of writing, is the seventh youngest player ever to appear in the Premier League.

The Englishman was highly thought of and was even compared to one of the best defenders of the 21st century, Rio Ferdinand.

But he has not had the career expected of him thus far. Oxford is now turning out for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

LB: Kieran Tierney

In 2017, at the age of just 20, Tierney was named Celtic’s captain.

He played 170 times for the club, winning eight