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Cesc Fabregas, Toni Kroos and….Anderson: Phil Foden follows footsteps of football ‘legends’ with U-17s Golden Ball win

Manchester City ace was named best player in India as England came back from 2-0 down to beat Spain 5-2 in final

PHIL FODEN added his name to added his name to a...erm...mixed list of U-17s World Cup Golden Ball winners.

The Manchester City man, 17, netted twice as England made history by turning around a two-goal deficit to beat Spain 5-2 in India.

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Credit: Reuters
Phil Foden celebrates scoring England's fifth goal

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Credit: Reuters
The Three Lions produced an incredible comeback in India

Foden was the Three Lion cubs' main man and has been tipped for a bright future — and his manager Pep Guardiola backed him, by insisting he sees him as an important part of the team.

Speaking after the 3-2 win at West Brom, he said: "He loves to be at City – we will do everything to help him.

"He is our player and he will be our player for the next year I hope."

But does being named the best player at the U-17s World Cup mean a good career?

Here, we take a look back at some notables from the tournament's 32-year history.

 Phil Foden alongside golden boot winner Rhin Brewster and Brazilian goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao
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Phil Foden alongside golden boot winner Rhin Brewster and Brazilian goalkeeper Gabriel BrazaoCredit: AFP

Nii Lamptey, 1991 — Ghana

 Ghanaian international Nii Lamptey was tipped for big future in football
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Ghanaian international Nii Lamptey was tipped for big future in footballCredit: PA:Empics Sport

The "Ghanaian Pele" is a common inclusion in lists about unfulfilled potential.

Lamptey's story is sad one as his undoubted talent was put in the hands of a shady agent, who sold him to the highest bidder.

The midfielder shone in Italy as Ghana triumphed with wins against the likes of Brazil and Spain — and finished as joint top goal scorer with Samba star Adriano.

 Nii Lamptey moved to Aston Villa but struggled to fulfil potential
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Nii Lamptey moved to Aston Villa but struggled to fulfil potentialCredit: PA:Empics Sport

Lamptey made his name at PSV Eindhoven before moving to Aston Villa in 1994.

But, after Ron Atkinson was sacked, he joined Coventry and then played for nine teams before retiring in 2008.

He overcame a difficult childhood with alcoholic father, who abused him by burning cigarettes on his body, to make it as a professional footballer.

Sergio Santamaria, 1997 — Spain

 Sergio Santamaria had been tipped for bright future at Barcelona
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Sergio Santamaria had been tipped for bright future at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images

A graduate of La Masia, he played alongside the likes of Luis Garcia, Carles Puyol and Xavi.

Santamaria netted twice as La Roja finished third in Egypt.

Spain gave away a 1-0 lead to lost 2-1 against Ghana in the semi-finals, with African side beaten by Brazil in the final.

 Sergio Santamaria in action during a rare outing while at Barcelona
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Sergio Santamaria in action during a rare outing while at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images

Santamaria beat future team-mate Ronaldinho — as well as Gabriel Milito and Sebastian Diesler — to win the award.

He stayed at Barcelona until 2005, but only made six first team appearances.

Santamaria spent the rest of his career in the lower leagues before retiring in 2011.

Landon Donovan, 1999 — USA

 A blond Landon Donovan shone for USA during 1999 U-17s World Cup
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A blond Landon Donovan shone for USA during 1999 U-17s World CupCredit: Getty Images

One of the greatest US "soccer" players of all-time.

Donovan is the national side's greatest assist maker and the second most-capped player in the country's history.

He was a star at youth level with 35 goals in 41 appearances.

 Landon Donovan had two separate loan spells with Everton in later years
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Landon Donovan had two separate loan spells with Everton in later yearsCredit: Reuters

Donovan scored three times in New Zealand as the USA finished the tournament in fourth place.

The winger started his career in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen before joining LA Galaxy in 2005.

He briefly played for Bayern Munich and Everton on loan and netted a last-gasp winner against Algeria at the 2010 World Cup which prevented group stage elimination for the USA.

Florent Sinama Pongolle, 2001 — France

 Florent Sinama Pongolle celebrates with Anthony Le Tallec at U-17s World Cup
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Florent Sinama Pongolle celebrates with Anthony Le Tallec at U-17s World CupCredit: Getty Images

There was shades of Michel Platini as Sinama Pongolle matched the Frenchman's incredible tally of nine goals en route to a France tournament win.

But it didn't quite work out that way.

Sinama Pongolle score four more thane anyone else — and came out on top despite competition from Carlos Tevez, Fernando Torres, Niko Kranjcar and Pablo Zabaleta.

 Florent Sinama Pongolle struggled at Liverpool after impressive U-17 World Cup
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Florent Sinama Pongolle struggled at Liverpool after impressive U-17 World CupCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Immediately after the tournament, he joined Liverpool alongside strike partner Anthony Le Tallec, but soon became the subject of ridicule.

He eventually left Anfield in 2006 and moved to Spain where he enjoyed a slight upturn in form and joined Atletico Madrid in 2008.

He's still playing now with Chainat Hornbill FC in the Thai League.

Cesc Fabregas, 2003 — Spain

 Cesc Fabregas was best player of Spain's star-studded kids in 2003
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Cesc Fabregas was best player of Spain's star-studded kids in 2003

All the talk going into this tournament was of a 14-year-old American superstar named Freddy Adu.

And, while he didn't disappoint with a hat-trick in his first match.

However, the USA were eliminated in the quarter-finals by a Spain side which gave a hint of things to come.

 At 14, Freddy Adu was the star of the 2003 U-17 World Cup and hit a hat-trick
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At 14, Freddy Adu was the star of the 2003 U-17 World Cup and hit a hat-trickCredit: AFP
 Cesc Fabregas is a Premier League great with two titles since joining Chelsea
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Cesc Fabregas is a Premier League great with two titles since joining ChelseaCredit: Rex Features

David Silva scored a hat-trick, but it was Barcelona academy star Fabregas who ran the show for La Roja.

He finished as the tournament's top scorer and joined Arsenal that same summer.

Within a year, he became the Gunners' linchpin and eventual captain — before returning to Barcelona in 2011.

He has since won the World Cup, European Championship twice, La Liga and two Premier League titles with current club Chelsea.

Anderson, 2005 — Brazil

 Anderson was sensational for Brazil during 2005 U-17s World Cup
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Anderson was sensational for Brazil during 2005 U-17s World CupCredit: Getty Images

In a tournament where future Premier League flops excelled, Carlos Vela won the golden boot, with fellow Arsenal disappointment Denilson also impressing.

But it was the underwhelming Manchester United man who came out on top overall.

Anderson helped Brazil reach the final, where they were hammered 3-0 by Mexico before breaking into the Gremio first team a year later.

 Anderson certainly underwhelmed at Manchester United but won four titles
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Anderson certainly underwhelmed at Manchester United but won four titlesCredit: PA:Press Association

In 2006, he joined Porto where he excelled and earned a £20million move to Old Trafford.

During his debut season, where won the first of his FOUR Premier League titles and the Champions League, Anderson showed glimpses of class — but little else despite remaining for eight years.

In 2015, he joined Gremio's arch-rivals Internacional before being sent out on loan to Coritiba.

Toni Kroos, 2007 — Germany

 Toni Kroos in action for Germany where he was magnificent in 2007
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Toni Kroos in action for Germany where he was magnificent in 2007Credit: Getty Images

Not known for his goal scoring, but Kroos hit five goals in Japan as Germany finished the tournament in third place.

The likes of Christian Benteke, Victor Moses and Danny Welbeck were present in 2007, but it was Nigeria who triumphed.

Kroos was in the Bayern academy at the time and would make his first team debut the following season.

 Toni Kroos has gone onto win the Champions League three times and World Cup
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Toni Kroos has gone onto win the Champions League three times and World CupCredit: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

He soon established himself as a regular and won the first of his three Champions League titles in 2013.

A year later, Kroos helped Germany triumph at the World Cup before moving to Real Madrid that same summer.

In Spain, he has added a further eight trophies in three seasons.

Kelechi Iheanacho, 2013 — Nigeria

 Kelechi Iheanacho earned move to Manchester City after shining in 2013
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Kelechi Iheanacho earned move to Manchester City after shining in 2013Credit: Getty

Scored six times as the Golden Eagles kept up their incredible record in the competition with a fourth title.

Iheanacho scored the second in a 3-0 victory over Mexico in the Abu Dhabi final.

A year later, he joined City's academy and became a first team regular under Manuel Pellegrini in 2015.

 Kelechi Iheanacho in action for Manchester City before leaving to join Leicester
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Kelechi Iheanacho in action for Manchester City before leaving to join LeicesterCredit: Getty Images

The Nigerian impressed in the Chilean's final season and has goals against Tottenham, Chelsea and United.

However, he was allowed to leave by Guardiola in the summer, following the emergence of Gabriel Jesus.

Iheanacho joined Leicester and has just one EFL Cup goal in six appearances across all competitions.

Goalscorer Phil Folden interrupted during England U17's interview as players celebrate World Cup win
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