UEFA named 50 'stars for the future' in 2019 and the list now makes for fascinating reading

UEFA went out and identified some of Europe's so-called rising stars in the summer of 2019, but what happened to those who were deemed big news, five years on?

From the "very promising" Fabio Silva, who was breaking records at youth level with FC Porto, to the son of former Manchester City midfielder Alf Inge Haaland [recognise that name?], a group of reporters were tasked with picking 50 stars of the future.

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of that list by UEFA:

Yunus Akgün (TUR, 19 – Galatasaray)

UEFA: "A two-footed winger with good first touch and vision, he almost joined Anderlecht in the winter and has since been linked with Lazio."

Now: He is still at Galatasaray after loan spells at Adana Demirspor and Leicester City. At the time of writing, Akgun has made 12 appearances for Turkey.

Benoît Badiashile (FRA, 18 – Monaco)

UEFA: "Central defender who has been on Manchester United's radar; younger brother of Monaco goalkeeper Loïc Badiashile."

Now: He joined Chelsea from Monaco last summer for a reported £32.7 million, penning a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Josip Brekalo (CRO, 21 – Wolfsburg)

UEFA: "A speedy left-sided winger with a killer shot, Brekalo scored regularly at youth levels and is increasingly featuring for Croatia's senior side."

Now: After joining Serie A side Fiorentina in 2023, the winger is currently on loan at Turkish side Kasimpasa.

Rhian Brewster (ENG, 19 – Liverpool)

UEFA: "Jürgen Klopp says, 'Rhian Brewster is a top striker; he is a top talent and I have told him already that he has an important role this year.'

Now: A year later, the forward joined Sheffield United for £23.5 million as Liverpool included a buy-back option at £40 million. Brewster has scored just four goals in four years for the club.

Brewster during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Sheffield United. Image credit: Getty

Samuel Chukwueze (NIG, 20 – Villarreal)

UEFA: "Precocious winger with UEFA Europa League experience; the Nigeria Football Federation's young player of the year for 2017/18."

Now: He joined AC Milan in 2023 for around £16 million. He has scored one goal in 13 games for the Serie A side this season.

Kevin Danso (AUT, 20 – Augsburg)

UEFA: "He is a big, beefy player," says former Augsburg coach Manuel Baum; an imposing central defender who is already a senior international."

Now: Danso currently plays for Ligue 1 side Lens, who signed the Austrian centre-back from Augsburg in 2021.

Alphonso Davies (CAN, 18 – Bayern)

UEFA: "Born in a Ghanaian refugee camp and raised in Canada, the winger sparkled in the spring after joining Bayern from Vancouver Whitecaps."

Now: Since this list was created, Davies has lifted five Bundesliga titles and a Champions League with Bayern Munich.

Moussa Diaby (FRA, 20 – Leverkusen)

UEFA: "Unable to secure a regular place in an all-star Paris attack, Diaby moved to Germany this summer; expect the winger to seize the opportunity."

Now: The 25-year-old currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad following a short spell at Aston Villa.

Denis Drăguș (ROU, 20 – Viitorul)

UEFA: "A protégé of Romania great Gheorghe Hagi, the versatile attacker missed this summer's U21 finals through injury but is expected to blossom in 2019/20."

Now: Dragus signed for Turkish side Trabzonspor in the summer. He joined Standard Liege in 2019 and enjoyed loan spells at Crotone, Genoa and Gaziantep before joining Trabzonspor.

Carel Eiting (NED, 21 – Ajax)

UEFA: "Frenkie de Jong's potential successor with the Dutch giants, he has an unorthodox style coupled with vision and intelligence."

Now: He currently plays for Eredivisie side FC Twente after spells at Genk, Huddersfield Town and Volendam.

Carel Eiting of FC Twente dribbles during the Eredivisie match between FC Twente and Ajax. Image credit: Getty

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (NED, 19 – Ajax)

UEFA: "A UEFA Champions League debutant in the knockout stages in 2018/19, this technical, rangy and versatile midfielder could become an Ajax regular this year."

Now: Five years on and Ekkelenkamp plays for Udinese. He left Ajax in 2021 to join Hertha Berlin, and would spend two years at Belgian side Antwerp.

Eljif Elmas (MKD, 19 – Napoli)

UEFA: "Capped by North Macedonia at 17 as Turkey looked to secure his services, this midfielder joined Napoli in July after impressing at Fenerbahçe."

Now: After spending several years at Napoli, the midfielder penned a deal with RB Leipzig in January. He has made 16 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

Fábio Silva (POR, 17 – Porto)

UEFA: "A very promising forward, once on the books at Benfica, Fábio Silva shone during Porto's victorious 2018/19 UEFA Youth League campaign, scoring in the semis."

Now: The striker is currently on loan at Las Palmas from Premier League side Wolves, who signed Siva from Porto for a club-record £35.6 million.

Gedson Fernandes (POR, 20 – Benfica)

UEFA: "On our radar since he was named in the team of the tournament at the 2016 U17 EURO, the midfielder was a title winner at Benfica in 2018/19."

Now: Fernandes has played for Turkish side Besiktas since 2022. He spent time on loan at Tottenham, Galatasaray and Caykur Rizespor.

Ianis Hagi (ROU, 20 – Genk)

UEFA: "The son of Romania great Gheorghe Hagi was classy at the 2019 U21 finals; left Viitorul this summer for Genk, where he will play in the UEFA Champions League."

Now: Hagi is currently on loan at La Liga side Deportivo Alaves from Rangers, who signed the Romania international for a reported £4 million in 2020.

Amadou Haidara (MLI, 21 – Leipzig)

UEFA: "The elegant midfielder idolised Steven Gerrard as a child and has a similar nose for the spectacular; returned from a serious knee injury to sparkle in the spring."

Now: Haidara is still at Leipzig. He's made over 150 appearances for the Bundesliga club, as well as 46 caps for Mali.

Erling Braut Haaland (NOR, 19 – Salzburg)

UEFA: "Son of ex-Norway midfielder Alf Inge Håland, the tall striker scored nine in a FIFA U-20 World Cup finals game against Honduras in May 2019."

Now: Five years on and Manchester City forward Haaland is arguably the best striker in the world. The Norwegian broke the record for most goals in a single Premier League season in his debut campaign for City, scoring 36 goals in his 35 appearances,

Adam Hložek (CZE, 17 – Sparta Praha)

UEFA: "The Czech league's youngest ever scorer has made over 20 appearances for Sparta, having stayed in the club's academy despite interest from Manchester City and Bayern."

Now: The winger now plays for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim following a two-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen.

Mohammed Ihattaren (NED, 17 – PSV)

UEFA: "An attacking midfielder with shades of Mesut Özil about him, the Dutch U19 international made his first Eredivisie appearance in January."

Now: Ihattaren, 22, signed for Eredivisie side RKC Waalwijk in September. Since his PSV days, the winger has played at Juventus and Slavia Prague.

Jovane Cabral (CPV, 21 – Sporting CP)

UEFA: "Already a first-team regular, the Cape Verde forward won two domestic cups with Sporting CP in 2018/19 and scored the Goal the Season in the Liga."

Now: Cabral plays for Primeira Liga side Estrela da Amadora and the Cape Verde national team. He has previously spent time on loan at Lazio, Salernitana and Olympiacos.

Dejan Joveljić (SRB, 19 – Frankfurt)

UEFA: "A quick, agile goalscorer, Joveljić was snapped up by Eintracht from Crvena zvezda to replace Real Madrid-bound Luka Jović."

Now: He left Frankfurt in 2021 to join MLS side LA Galaxy. He has made over 100 appearances for the Los Angeles-based team.

Ozan Kabak (TUR, 19 – Schalke)

UEFA: "The right-footed centre-back was one of Galatasaray's brightest sparks in a shaky start to 2018/19; joined Stuttgart for a reported €12m in January and moved to Schalke in June."

Now: The Turkey international went on to spend time on loan at Liverpool and Norwich City. He now plays for German outfit Hoffenheim.

Ibrahima Konaté (FRA, 20 – Leipzig)

UEFA: "Holding his own in the Bundesliga after two seasons in the centre of the Leipzig defence, Konaté demonstrated his class at the U21 EURO with France."

Now: Konate has become a first-team regular at Liverpool, who triggered the player's £36 million release clause in 2021. He has made 19 caps for France.

Alex Kral (CZE, 21 – Slavia Praha)

UEFA: "The top-rated defensive midfielder reached the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals later term, and met his lookalike David Luiz in the defeat against Chelsea."

Now: Kral is currently on loan at Espanyol from German outfit Union Berlin. He joined Spartak Moscow in 2019 and later spent time on loan at West Ham and Schalke.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (GEO, 18 – Rubin)

UEFA: "Wide man became the first 21st-century-born player to feature in the Russian Premier Liga while on loan at Lokomotiv last season."

Now: On his day, Napoli's Kvaratskhelia is one of the best wingers in world football. He has scored 17 goals in 38 games for Georgia.

Kvaratskhelia is regarded as one of the best wingers in the world. Image credit: Getty

Jacob Bruun Larsen (DEN, 20 – Dortmund)

UEFA: "A quick forward who has modelled himself on club-mate Marco Reus, Larsen broke into the first team with Dortmund and Denmark last season."

Now: Larsen currently plays for Bundesliga club Hoffenheim. He spent time on loan at Burnley last season.

Renan Lodi (BRA, 21 – Atlético Madrid)

UEFA: "A new arrival at Atlético this summer, the attack-minded left-back will be charged with filling the boots of countryman Filipe Luís."

Now: After spells at Nottingham Forest [loan] and Marseille, Lodi joined Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in January for a fee of around £20 million.

Sean Longstaff (ENG, 21 – Newcastle)

UEFA: "Combines youthful energy with the assuredness, passing and vision of an old pro. Sparkled for the Magpies in a three-month spell last term before an injury lay-off."

Now: The midfielder has established himself as a first-team regular at Newcastle in recent years.

Arne Maier (GER, 20 – Hertha)

UEFA: "A versatile midfielder who is perhaps at his best in a holding role. Maier has been on the books at Hertha since he was just nine."

Now: Maier left Hertha Berlin in 2022 to join Augsburg. He is still with the Bundesliga club.

Donyell Malen (NED, 20 – PSV)

UEFA: "New No9 at PSV, replacing Luuk de Jong. Left Ajax for Arsenal young but has been at PSV since August 2017. This could be his most successful season yet."

Now: The winger left PSV in 2021 to join Borussia Dortmund in a £25 million move. He has made 89 appearances in the league since his arrival.

Ivan Oblyakov (RUS, 21 – CSKA Moskva)

UEFA: "A holding midfielder, winger or full-back, Oblyakov was one of Russia's breakthrough talents last season."

Now: Oblyakov has made over 200 appearances for CSKA, as well as 11 caps for Russia.

Dani Olmo (ESP, 21 – Dinamo Zagreb)

UEFA: "A skilful wide man with pace, Olmo left Barcelona at 16 for regular football in Croatia; scored Spain's U21 EURO final winner this summer."

Now: After establishing himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, Olmo returned to Barcelona in the summer for a reported £45 million.

Dani Olmo during the La Liga clash between Real Sociedad and Barcelona. Image credit: Getty

Andreas Skov Olsen (DEN, 19 – Bologna)

UEFA: "Scored 30 goals in 53 games in 2018/19, the last of them against Austria in a 16-minute cameo at the U21 EURO. Joined Bologna from Nordsjælland earlier this month."

Now: The 24-year-old currently plays for Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge, who signed the winger from Bologna in 2022.

Strahinja Pavlović (SRB, 18 – Partizan)

UEFA: "Juventus have an eye on the tall, powerful centre-back, who has maintained his poise in six months in the Partizan first team – including two Belgrade derbies."

Now: Pavlović joined AC Milan from RB Salzburg in the summer for a fee in the region of £15 million. He has made 42 appearances for Serbia since his debut in 2020.

Luca Pellegrini (ITA, 20 – Juventus)

UEFA: "The Italy U21 left-back impressed on loan at Cagliari in the spring; left Roma for Juventus this summer for a reported €22m fee."

Now: Pellegrini is still at Juventus, but the full-back has spent much of his time on loan with Cagliari, Genoa, Eintracht Frankfurt and Lazio. He made his senior debut for Italy in 2020.

Denys Popov (UKR, 20 – Dynamo Kyiv)

UEFA: "A resilient central defender and expert tackler, Popov scored three headers in Ukraine's shock 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup success."

Now: Popov still plays for Dynamo Kyiv, and has made over 100 appearances for the Ukrainian Premier League side.

Ricard Puig (ESP, 19 – Barcelona)

UEFA: "Likened to club great Andrés Iniesta, the midfielder made his first-team debut last season and will expect more opportunities in 2019/20."

Now: It never quite worked out at Barcelona for the highly-rated Puig, who joined LA Galaxy in 2022 on a free transfer. He is a first-team regular for the MLS side.

Marco Richter (GER, 21 – Augsburg)

UEFA: "A quick forward capable of playing in either wide position, Richter caught the eye at the 2019 U21 EURO, scoring three in Germany's run to the final."

Now: Richter, 26, is currently on loan at German side Hamburg from Mainz 05.

Rodrygo (BRA, 18 – Real Madrid)

UEFA: "Following in the footsteps of Vinícius Júnior, the classy winger left Santos for Real Madrid this summer for a reported transfer fee of €45m."

Now: The Brazilian, a two-time Champions League winner, is widely regarded as one of the best wingers in world football.

Romário Baró (POR, 19 – Porto)

UEFA: "Phenomenal attacking midfielder with quick feet, pace and a good passing range. Dangerous when deployed behind a striker and from free-kicks."

Now: Bar is still at Porto but the midfielder has spent much of his time on loan at Estoril, Casa Pia and Basel.

Baró during the UEFA Champions League Group Stage clash between FC Porto and Barcelona. Image credit: Getty

Matvei Safonov (RUS, 20 – Krasnodar)

UEFA: "The academy graduate eclipsed two experienced keepers to become Krasnodar's No1 last season; the new Igor Akinfeev?"

Now: Safonov joined Paris Saint-Germain in June for around £15 million. He made his debut for the Ligue 1 champions in a 1–0 Champions League win over Girona.

William Saliba (FRA, 18 – Arsenal)

UEFA: "Arsenal won the tussle for the centre-back's signature earlier this month before loaning him back to St-Étienne for the 2019/20 campaign."

Now: Regarded by many as one of the Premier League's best defenders, Saliba has flourished at the Gunners.

Ismaïla Sarr (SEN, 21 – Rennes)

UEFA: "The winger set out his stall by scoring a stunning drive against Jablonec, named the UEFA Europa League's best goal of 2018/19."

Now: Sarr was earmarked by Crystal Palace as a replacement for Michael Olise in August. After leaving Rennes in 2019, he enjoyed spells at Watford and Marseille.

Xaver Schlager (AUT, 21 – Wolfsburg)

UEFA: "The blond central midfielder's touch is excellent but his mind may be even better; has a great range of passing and a sense for snuffing out danger."

Now: Schlager left Wolfsburg in 2022 to join RB Leipzig. He still plays for the Bundesliga club, and has made 43 appearances for Austria since his debut in 2018.

Tiago Dantas (POR, 18 – Benfica)

UEFA: "Short in stature but long on talent, the creative midfielder has trained with the seniors this season; 'It's a dream come true,' he said."

Now: Dantas left Benfica in 2024 to join Croatian side Osijek. He's spent time on loan at Bayern Munich, PAOK and AZ Alkmaar.

Sandro Tonali (ITA, 19 – Brescia)

UEFA: "Dubbed the new Andrea Pirlo, the 2017/18 Serie B player of the year won promotion to the top flight last season; expect an Italy debut soon."

Now: Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan last year for a reported £55 million. He has 19 caps for Italy.

Ferran Torres (ESP, 19 – Valencia)

UEFA: "The second player born in 2000 – after Vinícius Júnior – to score in the Spanish Liga, Torres also hit both goals in Spain's 2019 U19 EURO final win against Portugal."

Now: After leaving Valencia for Manchester City in 2020 for around £20 million, the Spaniard went on to sign for Barcelona in 2022. He has been linked with a move away from the club in recent months.

Heorhiy Tsitaishvili (UKR, 18 – Dynamo Kyiv)

UEFA: "An explosive winger with prospects; see his marvellous solo goal in the 2019 U-20 World Cup final against South Korea."

Now: Tsitaishvili has spent much of his career on loan. He is still contracted to Dynamo Kyiv but has made just 19 appearances for the club following loan spells at Wisła Kraków, Lech Poznań and more recently, Granada.

Nikola Vlašić (CRO, 21 – CSKA Moskva)

UEFA: "The son of a decathlete, the attacking midfielder has impressed in Russia, and his U21 performances have propelled him into Croatia's first team."

Now: After a two-year spell at West Ham, the Croatian signed for Torino in 2023 following a loan spell at the Italian club. He still plays for the Serie A outfit.

Güven Yalçın (TUR, 20 – Beşiktaş)

UEFA: "A forward with strong physique and good eye for goal, Güven scored two hat-tricks last season and made his Turkey debut in May."

Now: The 25-year-old plays for Genoa but is currently on loan at Primeira Liga side Arouca. He has made three appearances for Turkey.