SANTIAGO DE CHILE. – The FIFA U-20 World Cup, a tournament historically recognized as the cradle of future legends like Lionel Messi or Mohamed Salah, faces an unprecedented scenario this year: the absence of several of the main youth jewels of world football.
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Names like
Lamine Yamal,
Franco Mastantuono,
Claudio “Diablito” Etcheverry and
Estevao Willian will not be present in Chile 2025, because their clubs decided not to release them at the beginning of a long and demanding season. Factors such as the calendar, the distance of the venue and professional commitments have weighed in the refusal.
Sensitive casualties in Argentina and Brazil
Argentina, although it will compete with a competitive roster, will suffer the absence of Etcheverry, Bayer Leverkusen’s playmaker, although it will have young promises like
Gianluca Prestianni,
Julio Soler,
Milton Delgado,
Maher Carrizo and
Mateo Silvetti, the latter backed by Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
Brazil will also not have its main talents already established in the elite such as Endrick, Vitor Roque and Angelo Gabriel. Even so, the Canarinha will try to conquer the title with Deivid Washington (Chelsea), Luigi (Palmeiras) and Wesley (Al-Nassr).
Mexico, Chile and the other confederations
Mexico arrives incomplete after not having
Obeid Vargas, retained by Seattle Sounders, but midfielder
Gabriel Mora, only 16 years old, will lead their squad, along with
Elías Montiel from Pachuca.
The host selection, Chile, also loses its greatest talent, defender
Iván Román, retained by Atlético Mineiro. In Oceania,
Nestory Irakunda (Australia) was not released by Watford, while in Africa the absences of
Emmanuel Chukwu and
Precious Benjamin stand out. However, Morocco will have two promising figures:
Ali Maamar (Anderlecht) and
Gessime Yassine (Dunkerque).
A challenge for FIFA
The situation reflects the great challenge facing FIFA: the meteoric rise of young talents who, at an early age, are already fundamental pieces in elite clubs, which clashes with the formative and competitive spirit of the U-20 World Cup.
The tournament in Chile, which starts with high expectations, will be marked by the absence of these stars who, despite not being on the field, are already part of the global football conversation.
