International team: Argentina
Position: Midfielder
Age: 25
Club team: Liverpool
When he first came to England, MacAllister was facing an obvious question: where would he fit in? It was hard to see him having enough pace or presence to play as a number 10 or even from the wings. Brighton solved the problem by dropping him deeper, and Liverpool have reaped the benefits, using him in a role where he can pick his pass from deeper and then pick his moment to join up with the attack.
International team: Brazil
Position: Forward
Age: 23
Club team: Real Madrid
Rodrygo is a wonderfully talented and versatile player able to operate across or just behind the tracking line. He already has five successful seasons behind him at Real Madrid, and continues to grow in importance, coming up with vital goals on big occasions.
International team: Argentina
Position: Forward
Age: 26
Club team: Inter MIlan
Martinez is a centre-forward who carries himself on the field like a hammer-headed shark, a dangerous predator who led the attacking line in fine style as Inter cruised to the Italian Championship. He would love to carry the same form into the national team. He did appear to suffer a crisis of confidence during the Qatar World Cup, where he lost his place to Julián Álvarez. The pair will surely be operating together in a post-Messi era.
International team: Brazil
Position: Forward
Age: 23
Club team: Real Madrid
Vinicius Jr.’ move to Europe changed the market. Paying around £40 million to sign an untried 16-year-old seemed absurd. Now, it comes across as an absolute bargain. The winger blows defences away with a combination of blistering pace, improvisation at top speed plus increasing precision and growing game intelligence. He’s the can opener, the one his teammates look to when a goal is needed, and is surely on course to be the first Brazilian Ballon D’Or winner since Kaka in 2007.
