Staff Reporter.
The stars of world football will be on show in this Saturday’s clash in Madrid… but how quickly can you recognise these stars from their childhood photos? Some of them are easily recognisable, others not so much!
(This article has been supplied).
Frenkie de Jong
Barça’s midfield maestro came through the ranks at Willem II, joining the club’s youth academy aged just seven. There he made his name as a versatile playmaker and, after starring for Ajax, made the move to LALIGA in 2019 where he seamlessly fitted into FC Barcelona’s midfield.
Vinícius
Real Madrid’s Brazilian star has been a fan of Rio-based Flamengo all his life. He took his first steps in professional football with the Scarlet and Black before making the move to LALIGA in 2018 after turning 18. He continues to show that he’s one of the best players in the world, but has never forgotten his roots, as this photo shows!
Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres signed for FC Barcelona in the January transfer window of 2022, after starting his career at Valencia CF and Manchester City. He was born and raised in the in the Valencian Community and is now a key piece in Xavi’s system.
Dani Carvajal
Having come through the club’s youth academy, Dani Carvajal was destined to play in the famous white of Real Madrid ever since he was a boy. He went to down in Real Madrid history when together with Alfredo Di Stéfano he laid the first stone of the club’s new training facility.
Pedri
Pedro González, better known as Pedri, grew up in the Canary Islands with one single dream: playing for FC Barcelona. Thanks to a combination of hard work and outrageous talent, his dream came true, and he’s already considered one of the best midfielders in the world. He won the Golden Boy award for the best U21 player in European football in 2021.
Antonio Rüdiger
Antonio Rüdiger was born in Berlin to parents from Germany and Sierra Leone. He was raised in the Berlin neighbourhood of Neukölln, before his football career took him all across Europe, as he has played in Italy for Roma, in England for Chelsea and, now, in Spain for Real Madrid.
Robert Lewandowski
Before he became the tall and dominant striker that he is today, Robert Lewandowski first fell in love with football in his native Poland, in the city of Warsaw. He grew up in a family that loved sport, and has gone on to have a stellar career, winning trophies in Poznan, Dortmund, Munich and now Barcelona.
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 at the age of 25, completing a lifelong dream. When he was just 13 years of age, he had visited the club’s Valdebebas training ground and got to meet Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, Mbappé is the superstar banging in the goals for Los Blancos.
Dani Olmo
Before he left Barcelona for Zagreb at the age of 16, Dani Olmo grew up in Catalonia and learned his trade in La Masia. After starring for Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig, he is now back at FC Barcelona, having signed with Los Azulgrana in the summer of 2024, shortly after winning Euro 2024.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.