Where six stars L’Equipe tipped to rule football are now including £850m clause

Respected French newspaper L'Equipe picked out six stars who would dominate world football for years to come back in 2019 – and it hasn't gone so well.

Their list included players based in Spain, Italy and even Scotland, with the players breaking into first-team squads during their teenage years.

Although all the players have gone on to continue their professional careers – they have had very mixed success, with only one bagging more than one major honour.

Daily Star Sport has taken a look at where the famous six are now – with one reportedly considering retirement.

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Ansu Fati

Leading the list is Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati, who made his first-team debut in late 2019 at the age of just 16.

Fati was later handed the number 10 shirt vacated by Lionel Messi, while also receiving a new contract that has a release clause of €1billion (£850m).

The forward has faced several injury blows already despite only being 20, but bounced back with La Liga glory last season before helping Spain to Nations League gold.

Who would make the 2023 list? Give us your suggestions in the comments section below.

Joelson Fernandes

Joelson Fernandes was Sporting Lisbon's best prospect at the time the list was released – but left the club on loan to Basel in 2021.

He has since moved to Hatayspor in Turkey on a permanent deal, continuing to represent Portugal at youth levels.

Now 20, Fernandes is looking to build up his form in Turkey, three years after being linked to Premier League outfit Arsenal.

Sebastiano Esposito

Sebastiano Esposito remains an Inter Milan player, four years after catching the attention of the media while coming though the youth academy.

The 21-year-old forward has since been out on loan on five separate occasions, most recently scoring seven goals in 23 games for Bari.

Esposito is also a regular for Italy's U21 side – but is yet to score his first goal at the level across seven appearances.

Karamoko Dembele

Karamoko Dembele might be the most familiar name on the list to British fans after he came through the youth academy at Celtic.

A starlet from a young age, Lambeth-born Dembele played for their U20 side at just 13 and making his first-team debut three years later in 2019.

Dembele, who has represented both England and Scotland at youth level, joined Brest last year where he is still finding his feet.

Mohamed Ihattaren

Mohamed Ihattaren was a PSV prospect back in 2019 and even earned himself a move to Juventus thanks to his performances in their first-team as a teenager.

However, things turned sour for the Netherlands youth international as he failed to make an appearance, spending time on loan at Sampdoria and Ajax.

Now 21, Ihattaren has gone two seasons without a senior appearance at club level and subsequently been linked with retirement.

Karim Adeyemi

Last on the list is Karim Adeyemi, who came within 90 minutes of winning the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund last season.

The 21-year-old, who spent time with Bayern Munich at youth level, joined Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in 2022 and scored nine goals last seasons.

Adeyemi also made four appearances for Germany back in 2021 and will have hopes of forcing his way back into contention before their home Euros next summer.

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