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'Monstrous' Matthijs De Ligt Named The Best Under-20 Player In The World

'Monstrous' Matthijs De Ligt Named The Best Under-20 Player In The World

From Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho to Benfica's João Félix, Matthijs de Ligt has emerged as L’Équipe's best U20 player in the world.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

L'Équipe has named Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt the best under-20 player in the world.

The French newspaper compiled a list of 50 players that have put world football on notice and the Dutch starlet, 19, outranked the likes of Jadon Sancho and João Félix.

De Ligt, who has been linked with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, was described as "monstrous" and the claim that there is "nothing he cannot do."

The Netherlands centre-back had a superb season as Ajax captured the Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup.

And he also featured in Ronald Koeman's Netherlands side as they made it to the final of the inaugural Nations League, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to Portugal.

Sancho took the second spot and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz finished third in the list.

Posted below are L'Équipe's top 20 U20 players in the world.

  1. Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)
  2. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
  3. Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen)
  4. João Félix (Benfica)
  5. Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan)
  6. Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma)
  7. Moise Kean (Juventus)
  8. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
  9. Declan Rice (West Ham United)
  10. Ibrahima Konaté (RB Leipzig)
  11. Mattéo Guendouzi (Arsenal)
  12. Alban Lafont (Fiorentina)
  13. Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea)
  14. Dan-Axel Zagadou (Borussia Dortmund)
  15. Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
  16. Evan N'Dicka (Eintracht Frankfurt)
  17. Justin Kluivert (Roma)
  18. Andreas Skov Olsen (Nordsjælland)
  19. Phil Foden (Manchester City)
  20. Kik Pierie (SC Heerenveen)
PA

While De Ligt's future remains unclear, Koeman admitted earlier this month that he provided some important advice to the youngster.

"What I told all the young players maybe thinking about making a step, the most important thing is to keep playing, keep getting minutes to develop your football," the 56-year-old Dutchman said.

"That's the most important thing. How the club is playing is also a reason to make a choice.

"He, his family, his agent and those around the player will make the best decision for the player."

Agree or disagree with De Ligt being named the best U20 player in the world?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Callum Hudson-Odoi, Phil Foden, Football News, Vinicius Junior, Ryan Sessegnon, Matthijs de Ligt, Football, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Declan Rice, Moise Kean, João Félix, Jadon Sancho, Kai Havertz, Ibrahima Konaté

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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