Barcelona's teenage midfielder has made history for his country, following in the footsteps of some of the game's greatest players
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney is widely regarded as one of the finest players in English football history, having finished his international career with a record 53 goals to his name from 120 appearances.
His journey began in 2003, when he became the youngest player to ever represent the Three Lions at the age of 17 years and 111 days after coming off the bench in a friendly clash with Australia.
Rooney went on to break the record for England's youngest scorer later that year, firing home in a European Championship qualifier against Macedonia.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTheo Walcott
Theo Walcott's first taste of senior international football came when he received a surprise call up to Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad for the 2006 World Cup.
The former Southampton and Arsenal winger made his debut in a pre-tournament friendly against Hungary, breaking Rooney's record as the youngest player to ever feature for the Three Lions at the age of 17 years and 75 days.
Walcott ended up being an unused substitute throughout that World Cup but did go on to win 47 caps for his country, scoring eight goals while also appearing at Euro 2012.
Giovanni Reyna
The man who finished third in Goal's 2021 NxGn list has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence since joining Borussia Dortmund's academy ranks in 2019.
Reyna had already represented the United States at U15, U16 and U17 level by that stage, and didn't take long to earn a place in the senior setup.
The midfielder was rewarded for his performances for Dortmund with a USMNT call up in November 2020, and took his international bow the day before his 18th birthday in a 0-0 friendly draw against Wales.
Reyna has since recorded four goals in nine games for his country, with his next outing likely to come when Gregg Berhalter's side resume their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign against Jamaica on Friday.
Getty ImagesPaulo Futre
Portugal have boasted many world-class players during their history, from legends such as Eusebio to modern-day greats like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Paulo Futre was among those to make his mark for the southern European nation, as he initially became the youngest player in their history when making his international debut in April 1983.
The ex-Sporting CP and Atletico Madrid winger played 41 times for Portugal across his 12-year international career, scoring six goals, and appeared at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.