The Guardian selects 60 of the most talented young footballers from around the world in their Next Generation 2017 project announced on October 4, 2017.
In most cases, any nod from British daily newspaper The Guardian is a good one, especially when nearly 43 million people worldwide read the publication online.
Once The Guardian identifies you as one of the best young football talents in the world - that, one would assume, is a nod worth taking to the grave.
Today, two of Croatia’s young football talents have received just that.
In The Guardian's annual Next Generation project, 60 of the best young footballers in the world are chosen who are destined to one day follow in Ronaldo’s footsteps, chase Messi's dream, and wear the number 10 on Real Madrid like Luka Modrić.
The Guardian’s incredibly broad network of international football associates pick the 60 best young footballers based on their action - caring less about the hype of the national media or the YouTube videos collecting thousands of views.
This hugely popular project attracts millions of readers around the world each year, and as such, the Next Generation project has the weight and potential to transform the careers of these young men, writes Hajdučke vijesti.
That said, Hajduk’s Michele Šego and Dinamo’s David Colina have been considered the best young football talents in the world for the Next Generation 2017.
The Guardian writes of Michele Šego, a Hajduk forward born on August 5, 2000:
A small, fast and furious striker with an elite-level dribble and great spatial awareness, Sego is the premier product of the recently revamped Hajduk Split academy. He has a knack for creating chances both for himself and for team-mates. This season he has been introduced to senior football via the club’s reserve side that play in the second division, with his appearances carefully weighed. Sego has been talked about for years and if he continues to develop the way he has, he could grow into a classy, versatile and modern forward. - Aleksandar Holiga
Of Dinamo’s David Colina, born on July 19, 2000, The Guardian writes:
Dynamic, tactically sound in defence and attack, possessing a very good sense of space and a killer shot, Colina may be the worthy successor in the left-back position to Robert Jarni that Croatian football has been desperate for since Colina was a toddler. He has been a mainstay for Dinamo Zagreb's and Croatia's youth teams, and his golazo against Spain – a powerful stunner from outside the box – provided a silver lining to the otherwise bleak Croatia home performance at this year’s European under-17 championship. After that clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester City allegedly came calling. Colina cites Real Madrid’s Marcelo as his role model but dreams of playing in the Premier League “because that’s where the play is the fastest and the best. - Aleksandar Holiga
You can find the full list here.
A massive congratulations to both footballers, we look forward to watching you succeed!
