10 Early Favourites For World Cup 2018 Best Young Player Award
6. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
At just 20 years of age, Ismaila Sarr is already a key part of an exciting Senegal squad that will be looking to emulate their success at the 2002 World Cup, in which they impressively reached the quarter final stage. Last summer, after an impressive breakout season with French minnows Metz, Sarr made a €20 million move to Rennes, despite alleged interest from Spanish giants Barcelona.
He struggled with an injury that kept him out for a few months of the Ligue 1 season but came back strongly, helping Rennes to a fifth place finish and scoring 5 goals in 24 appearances. He's appeared 14 times so far for Senegal and scored 2 goals.
A very pacey, tricky winger who can play in multiple positions, Sarr is always keen to dribble his way past defenders and has developed a reputation for scoring some fantastic individual goals. He'll be looking to do the same at the World Cup and could certainly be one of the tournament's breakout young stars.