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Lionel Messi Tipped Ten Wonderkids To Become Stars In 2015: Where Are They Now?

Lionel Messi Tipped Ten Wonderkids To Become Stars In 2015: Where Are They Now?

Messi backed these ten wonderkids to make it to the top.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Lionel Messi predicted 10 wonderkids who would take the world by storm back in 2015.

The Barcelona captain took part in a 'Backed By Messi' campaign with Adidas to see who could be the heir to his throne.

The video has been de-listed on YouTube, but the list of players makes for interesting viewing.

Check out the full list of ten below, including the clubs they played for then and now.

Kenedy - (THEN: Chelsea & Brazil. NOW: Getafe on loan)

Maxwell Cornet - (THEN: Lyon and France. NOW: Lyon and Ivory Coast)

Jeremie Boga - (THEN: Chelsea & France. NOW: Sassuolo and Ivory Coast)

James Wilson - (THEN: Manchester United & England. NOW: Aberdeen)

Timo Werner - (THEN: Stuggart & Germany. NOW: RB Leipzig)

Gyasi Zardes - (THEN: LA Galaxy & USA. NOW: Columbus Crew)

Accursio Bentivegna - (THEN: Como/Palermo & Italy. NOW: Carrarese)

Aleksey Miranchuk (THEN: Lokomotiv Moscow & Russia. NOW: Lokomotiv Moscow)

Marcos Lopes (THEN: Monaco & Portugal. NOW: Sevilla)

Khiry Shelton (THEN: New York City & USA. NOW: Kansas City)

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PA

The clear stand out player on the list is Timo Werner.

Werner has gone on to become one of the world's deadliest strikers and is a regular starter for the German national team.

This season, he's scored 20 Bundesliga goals and has been linked with some of the world's biggest clubs.

Some other names on the list haven't seen their career kick on as predicted.

One stand out in that category is James Wilson.

The England international was on the books at Manchester United and scored two goals on his debut in 2014.

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PA

However, he'd only go on to score two more goals for the club and suffered numerous injuries.

He now plays for Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership and is yet to score.

Messi also produced a second season of the series in 2016, with nobody coming close to Werner.

A few notable names in 2016 include Patrick Roberts, Kasper Dolberg and recent Leeds United signing Jean-Kevin Augustin.

What do you make of Messi's choices for top wonderkids?

Sound off in the comments below.

Featured Image Credit: Footy Renders

Topics: Football, Lionel Messi, Timo Werner