LOOK BACK IN WONDER

The FIFA U-17 World Cup has been a breeding ground of champion footballers for the future. As many as 12 players, including Alessandro del Piero, who played here went on to win the FIFA World Cup.

1987 1985

Venue: China, Winner: Nigeria MARCEL WITECZEK (GER) He won the golden boot for scoring eight goals as Germany finished runners-up. He went on to play for Bayern Munich and won one UEFA Cup and two Leagues. Venue: Canada, Winner: Soviet Union MIRDJALAL KASYMOV (USSR, LATER UZB) He scored two goals in six matches as erstwhile USSR won the title. He later played for Uzbekistan. He won the 1994 Asian Games for Uzbekistan. He is the second Asian after Korean Cha Bum-Kun to score in UEFA competitions.

1989

Venue: Scotland, Winner: Saudi Arabia LUIS FIGO (POR) Figo scored twice as Portugal went on to finish third. With Portugal, he finished fourth at the 2006 World Cup and runners-up at the Euro 2004.

1991

Venue: Italy, Winner: Ghana ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO (ITA) Del Piero had a forgettable tournament, scoring just one goal in three matches. He, however, went on to become one of the greatest forwards ever and won the FIFA World Cup in 2006.

1993

Venue: Japan, Winner: Nigeria FRANCESCO TOTTI (ITA), Nwankwo Kanu (NGR), Hidetoshi Nakata (JPN) Kanu scored five for Nigeria, who emerged champions. Totti and Nakata scored only once as Italy and Japan went home early.

1995

Venue: Ecuador, Winner: Ghana ESTEBAN CAMBIASSO (ARG), Julio Cesar (BRA) Cambiasso was instrumental as Argentina finished third. Cesar was keeper as Brazil went on to play the final, where they lost to Ghana. Cambiasso later won the Champions League with Inter Milan.

1997

Venue: Egypt, Winner: Brazil Ronaldinho (BRA), Iker Casillas (ESP), Xavi Hernandez (ESP) Ronaldinho scored twice as Brazil won the title. Casillas and Xavi helped Spain finish third.

1999

Venue: New Zealand, Winner: Brazil Landon Donovan (USA) Donovan’s USA finished fourth. He scored three goals in six matches and won the Golden Ball. He prospered for the senior team too.

2001

Venue: Trinidad & Tobago, Winner: France CARLOS TEVEZ (ARG), Fernando Torres (ESP), Andres Iniesta (ESP) Tevez scored twice as Argentina finished fourth. Torres and Iniesta were part of Spain who did not make knockouts.

2003

Venue: Finland, Winner: Brazil CESC FABREGAS (ESP), David Silva (ESP) Fabregas top-scored with five goals for Spain to win the Golden Boot and David Silva scored three. Spain finished runners-up to Brazil. Both went on to win the 2010 World Cup, 2008 and 2012 Euros.

2005

Venue: Peru, Winner: Mexico

MARCELO (BRA), Giovani Dos Santos (MEX), Carlos Vela (MEX) Marcelo played a crucial role as a defender as Brazil finished second. Carlos Vela ended as the top-scorer with five goals. He and Dos Santos helped Mexico win the title. Marcelo is now an integral part of the Brazil senior team and also Real Madrid.

2007

Venue: South Korea, Winner: Nigeria

TONI KROOS (GER), James Rodriguez (COL), Eden Hazard (BEL) Kroos won the Golden Ball scoring five to help Germany finish second. Rodriguez did not score as Colombia went out early. But in the 2014 finals, Rodriguez won the Golden Boot. Hazard did not catch the eye as Belgium were out early.

2011 2009

Venue: Nigeria, Winner: Switzerland NEYMAR (BRA), Isco (ESP), Mario Goetze (GER), Alvaro Morata (ESP), S Mustafi (GER), The present football scenario is headlined by the boys of this batch. Neymar, costliest player ever, however, scored only once in three ties. Venue: Mexico, Winner: Mexico RAHEEM STERLING (ENG), Memphis Depay (NED) Sterling played four matches and scored one as England lost to Germany in the quarter-finals. Depay’s Netherlands went out in the group stages.

2013

Venue: Arab Emirates, Winner: Nigeria Kelechi Iheanacho (NGR) Nigeria won the tournament and Iheanacho won the Golden Ball for scoring six goals. He was part of Man City for two seasons and now plays for Leicester.

2015

Venue: Chile, Winner: Nigeria Nigeria finished champions for the fifth time, after defeating another African nation Mali 2-0 in the final. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen was the top-scorer with 10 goals.