Pedri, a teenager from Europe’s, won admirers for his performance in La Roja’s 2-2. Draw with Sweden in the first round of fixtures.
Following a stellar debut season at Barcelona, the 18-year-old has been tipped for a bright future. Gaining a spot in the national squad for this summer’s European Championship and acclimating well to the higher level.
Pedri’s debut has established him as one of the players to watch this summer. So we’ve chosen to take a look back at five previous teenagers who made an impression at the Euros.
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Michael Laudrup – 1984
A youthful Laudrup was a member of Denmark’s – and possibly Scandinavia’s – greatest ever football team during the 1984 European Championship in France.
Laudrup’s exceptional imagination shined through throughout the championships as an uber-attacking side reached the last four, with the teenager producing two assists during a 5-0 hammering of Yugoslavia during the group stage.
Laudrup turned 20 the day before Denmark’s thrashing of Yugoslavia. And he was a crucial component in the team throughout, appearing in every minute of Denmark’s campaign until their semi-final loss to Spain on penalties.
Cristian Chivu – 2000
Despite being drawn in the tournament’s Group of Death alongside England, Germany, and a much favoured Portugal team, Romania overcame the odds to reach the quarter-finals.
Cristian Chivu, despite having only four caps, featured in all four of Romania’s matches after impressing during his first season with Ajax in 1999/2000.
Chivu assisted Romania to a draw with Germany before losing to Portugal in stoppage time. But their progress was ensured after an exciting comeback triumph against England in their final match.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 2004
With a collection of players dubbed the Golden Generation. As well as emerging stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, hopes were high. That Portugal could make a great impression on home soil at Euro 2004.
The young winger had just had a productive debut season with Manchester United. And came into the finals as one of Europe’s most exciting prospects. A title he cemented after scoring a late consolation in the hosts’ shock defeat to Greece in their opening game.
Following that defeat, Portugal came back to win the quarter-finals, with Ronaldo scoring from the penalty spot in a shootout victory over England.
Wayne Rooney – 2004
Ah, an adolescent Wayne Rooney, one of the most fascinating prospects in contemporary European football.
Rooney was named the Three Lions’ greatest player amid a ‘Golden Generation’ of talent that included Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, Frank Lampard, and Paul Scholes, among others, during his big tournament debut at Euro 2004.
Despite England’s opening defeat against France, Rooney was outstanding, with the holders failing to cope with the cyclone of aggressive energy that the Everton striker brought to the finals.
Renato Sanches – 2018
After winning Euro 2016, Portugal won their first major title, with Renato Sanches. The competition’s best young player, leading the way.
Sanches started the tournament on the bench. But after scoring a crucial equaliser in Portugal’s quarter-final win over Poland. He was kept in the starting lineup for the final.
The 18-year-old stood out for his strength and dynamism, with his ability to rush forward and carry. The balls into midfield distinguishing him as one of the tournament’s brightest possibilities.
