Less than two years ago, in the final of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia, a hat-trick from Oscar helped Brazil overcome a second-half deficit against Portugal to win the country’s fifth underage title.
Having played second fiddle to Philippe Coutinho throughout the group stage and early knockout rounds, Oscar was suddenly moved to the first chair when his teammate went missing in the championship match and was withdrawn shortly after the hour-mark.
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Brazil was trailing by a goal at the time, but Oscar managed to restore level terms, and midway through the second period of extra time he scored what proved to be the winner when his audacious, lofted effort from a tight angle evaded goalkeeper Mika and bulged the top corner of the net inside the far post.
It was a coming-out performance from a 19-year-old midfielder yet to complete his first, full season in the Brazilian top flight. But it was impressive enough for Chelsea to come calling the following summer, signing him from Internacional for nearly £20 million and throwing him straight into the mix for first-team football.
Similar stories follow every instalment of the U-20 World Cup because, just as it did for Oscar, the tournament tends to function as a linking point between the developmental stage of a player’s career and the maturity of a key role at club level.
It was certainly true in Oscar’s case, just as it was for the likes of Lionel Messi in 2005, Xavi Hernandez in 1999, Luis Figo in 1991 and Diego Maradona in 1979.
This competition is also a scout’s dream. And the talent-inspectors who are making their way to Turkey for this year’s tournament from June 21 to July 13 will have the chance to scrutinize a handful of players who have already shown signs of emulating their high-profile predecessors and establishing themselves as some of the game’s most recognizable superstars for years to come.
The following are 10 of them.
Gael Bigirimana, England
The Newcastle midfielder brings a heartening story of perseverance and hard work to the U-20 World Cup.
A Burundian refugee who arrived in England with his family just nine years ago, Bigirimana has said he’d welcome the opportunity to represent his adopted country on the international stage as it "welcomed" him to its shores and gave his family "a place to live and to be free."
Last December, the 19-year-old became the first Burundi-born footballer to score a goal in the Premiership when his howitzer of a shot found the back of the net against Wigan and helped the Magpies to a 3-0 win.
Lucas Digne, France
You’d never know Digne was only 19-years-old. The Lille left-back is already playing with a maturity rare for his position at such a young age and in 2012-13 he established himself as a first-team player in a Dogues side that finished a respectable sixth in the Ligue 1 table.
Quick, strong in the air and with a good eye for a pass, Digne will look to link up on the left-hand side of the pitch with Florian Thauvin, who will be joining Lille from Bastia following the tournament.
Saleh Gomaa, Egypt
At the African U-20 Championship in March, Gomaa scored a crucial, 87th-minute winner against Ghana in the group stage and also opened the scoring for Egypt against the same team in the tournament final — a match the Young Pharaohs won on penalties.
The diminutive Gomaa, 19, was awarded the competition’s Golden Ball and will be one of the most-watched playmakers in Turkey this month and next. He currently plays his club football for Cairo’s ENPPI Club and is one of the players most likely to earn a move to Europe following the U-20 World Cup.
Derlis Gonzalez, Paraguay
Paraguay finished runners-up to Colombia at the 2013 South American Youth Championship, and leading the way was forward Derlis Gonzalez.
A small, flashy attacker sometimes compared to Angel Di Maria, the 19-year-old went on loan to Guarani after revealing he was unsettled at Benfica following a move from Asuncion’s Rubio Nu last August.
Just last month an article in Spanish daily Marca suggested he could be headed to Real Madrid. But after a topsy-turvy season at club level he will first have to show he can pick up where he left off with the U-20s, for whom he scored four goals at the South American Youth Championship.
Angelo Henriquez, Chile
Last July, as an 18-year-old, Henriquez led Universidad de Chile in scoring as the Santiago giants won the Apertura. A move to Manchester United followed later in the summer, and upon his unveiling at Old Trafford former manager Sir Alex Ferguson described him as an "attacking" player — "someone who plays the game with real flair."
In November Henriquez earned his first senior cap for Chile and scored his country’s only goal in a 3-1 friendly loss to Serbia.
Valber Huerta, Chile
He has yet to really establish himself in the starting 11 of a very good Universidad de Chile side, but anyone wanting to see what the young defender was all about had only to watch him star for his country at the South America Youth Championship in January and February.
Huerta, 19, was heroic at times in defence, showing the eye and instinct for key interventions while playing long, accurate passes once in possession.
An elegant left-footer, he will either nail down a spot for Universidad in the upcoming Clausura or be moved along to Europe before the end of the summer. His showing at the U-20 World Cup could well determine which.
Juan Fernando Quintero, Colombia
If you think the current crop of Colombia internationals are a force to be reckoned with, just wait until the next vintage comes of age.
Colombia won the South American Youth Championship back in February, and leading the way was creative midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero. Loaned to Pescara from Medellin side Atletico Nacional during the winter transfer period, his adjustment to Italian football was smooth enough for Inter Milan to take notice and supposedly express an interest in the 20-year-old.
Left-footed and an agile dribbler, Quintero picks his moments for long, generally accurate attempts at goal but seems to prefer playing the ball forward to his attacking teammates.
Jese Rodriguez, Spain
Zinedine Zidane’s growing influence at Real Madrid is good news for Jese Rodriguez, as the former France captain recently tipped the forward, simply known as "Jese," for a place in the club’s first team.
Jese had a breakout season with Real Madrid Castilla (los blancos’ reserve team) this past season, playing in all 38 matches and contributing an impressive 22 goals.
The 20-year-old can play either on the wing or as a second striker and is extremely direct when on the ball. He’ll wear the number-10 shirt for Spain in Turkey over the next few weeks.
Florian Thauvin, France
Part of a surprising Bastia side that finished 12th in Ligue Un last season, Thauvin scored 10 goals in his first, full season in top-flight French football and, in so doing, garnered the attention of a handful of big clubs, including Arsenal.
But instead of bolting for the Premier League the 20-year-old announced in January he would be joining Lille on a four-year deal beginning this summer. It’ s a good decision, as he is still rather rough around the edges and could use some extra polishing before the big-money move that will eventually come.
Jose Villarreal, United States
Villarreal announced his arrival in Major League Soccer last July when, after replacing Los Angeles Galaxy teammate Robbie Keane late in the second half, he accepted a pass from Juninho, moved the ball to his left foot and unleashed a powerful, arching shot that left the goalkeeper with no chance and completed a come-from-behind draw against Vancouver Whitecaps.
He left his mark against Canadian opponents again in February at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, scoring on either side of the interval as the United States dumped their northern neighbours out of the competition at the quarter-final stage.
A secondary striker who still plays the majority of his football for Galaxy reserves, the 20-year-old likes to attack defenders one-on-one and is the explosive type of forward ideal for operating just behind the centre-forward.
Jerrad Peters is a Winnipeg-based writer. Follow him on Twitter.