Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
Maybe it would have felt less like living in a foreign country for Rush in Naples?
comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 2 hours, 13 minutes ago
comment by Arnefield RAP - 20x 🏆 of England 🏴 (U22951)
posted 4 minutes ago
Luke Littler.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
18 mate
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He wasn't when he won the world championships.
Also Real Ronaldo at PSV is number 1
He moved to PSV just before turning 18 though. Pretty much all of what he did in Holland he was aged 18-20.
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
Oh dear Sandy....
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing? And how good could he get?
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 20 minutes ago
OP
Can I remind you and everyone else that Pele was scoring a world cup hatrick in a semi final, and another two goals in the final.
Pele by a countrymile is the best ever 17 year old footballer.
Learn your history fella. Football didn't start in the last 10 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Very fair point. I can only really give an informed opinion on the footballers I've seen in my own lifetime, but it might be worth my while to see if I can find some decent enough reels of Pelé.
This stood out whilst skimming his bio right now:
"Taught to play by his father, he could not afford a proper football and usually played with either a sock stuffed with newspaper and tied with string or a grapefruit."
It goes on to explain that he credited playing a lot of five-a-side as a young teenager with helping him to develop his skills and speed of thought.
As an adult spectator, I've always felt that one of the greatest experiences is watching players who still seem to play with -or at least somehow convey- the joy of a child. Maybe it's just that it has an inbuilt capacity to take us back to better times when life was carefree and everything occurred in the moment.
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
Garath Bale had a full season in the champo at 17
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 48 seconds ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No doubt about that at all
Pele
17 years old scores a double in the world cup final to win it.
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 33 minutes ago
Maybe it would have felt less like living in a foreign country for Rush in Naples?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
U canknot compare considerin the diffrent sirfacues, ballz, equiiment, rules, trainin etc
comment by Bluey is a Crackhead (U22472)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
U canknot compare considerin the diffrent sirfacues, ballz, equiiment, rules, trainin etc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently watched an old video of me playing in a decent under 12 cup final from 1984. Given we had a good team, the standard compared to today's football was nowhere near as good.
I know it was boys Football but if you use that as a yardstick, players are not much better.
comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 3 hours, 56 minutes ago
I have to go Rooney who, don't forget, has none of the inherent black African genes that give a huge advantage to others in the conversation. Not racist but a real thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Just what on bloody earth are you talking about???
Wayne Rooney is the best 17 year old I’ve personally seen he was incredible for his age.
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by Bluey is a Crackhead (U22472)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
U canknot compare considerin the diffrent sirfacues, ballz, equiiment, rules, trainin etc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently watched an old video of me playing in a decent under 12 cup final from 1984. Given we had a good team, the standard compared to today's football was nowhere near as good.
I know it was boys Football but if you use that as a yardstick, players are not much better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Football is faster now. But that doesn't make it better. There were some fantastic footballers 30/40/50/60 years back.
Tbf Sandy, players these days are much better on the ball. Again, in general. Maradona was a one off in the 80's but would not stick out as much now
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by Bluey is a Crackhead (U22472)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
U canknot compare considerin the diffrent sirfacues, ballz, equiiment, rules, trainin etc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently watched an old video of me playing in a decent under 12 cup final from 1984. Given we had a good team, the standard compared to today's football was nowhere near as good.
I know it was boys Football but if you use that as a yardstick, players are not much better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Football is faster now. But that doesn't make it better. There were some fantastic footballers 30/40/50/60 years back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There was but these days being an athlete is the fundamental criteria with the faster the better. Anything else can be coachable or gained by practice though guys like Werner do their best to refute that but it underlines why so many have persevered with him.
Back in the day hatchet men and dribbling wingers could thrive more.
Pele won the World Cup at 17 with a hattie in the SF and a double in the Final
I have read somewhere before that Pele scored a semi final hattrick and two in the final of 1958 world cup. Anyone else heard this?
Sign in if you want to comment
Yamal - the best 17 year old ever?
Page 3 of 4
posted on 12/3/25
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
posted on 12/3/25
Maybe it would have felt less like living in a foreign country for Rush in Naples?
posted on 12/3/25
comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 2 hours, 13 minutes ago
comment by Arnefield RAP - 20x 🏆 of England 🏴 (U22951)
posted 4 minutes ago
Luke Littler.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
18 mate
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He wasn't when he won the world championships.
posted on 12/3/25
Also Real Ronaldo at PSV is number 1
posted on 12/3/25
He moved to PSV just before turning 18 though. Pretty much all of what he did in Holland he was aged 18-20.
posted on 12/3/25
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
posted on 12/3/25
Oh dear Sandy....
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing? And how good could he get?
posted on 12/3/25
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 20 minutes ago
OP
Can I remind you and everyone else that Pele was scoring a world cup hatrick in a semi final, and another two goals in the final.
Pele by a countrymile is the best ever 17 year old footballer.
Learn your history fella. Football didn't start in the last 10 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Very fair point. I can only really give an informed opinion on the footballers I've seen in my own lifetime, but it might be worth my while to see if I can find some decent enough reels of Pelé.
This stood out whilst skimming his bio right now:
"Taught to play by his father, he could not afford a proper football and usually played with either a sock stuffed with newspaper and tied with string or a grapefruit."
It goes on to explain that he credited playing a lot of five-a-side as a young teenager with helping him to develop his skills and speed of thought.
As an adult spectator, I've always felt that one of the greatest experiences is watching players who still seem to play with -or at least somehow convey- the joy of a child. Maybe it's just that it has an inbuilt capacity to take us back to better times when life was carefree and everything occurred in the moment.
posted on 12/3/25
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
posted on 12/3/25
Garath Bale had a full season in the champo at 17
posted on 12/3/25
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
posted on 12/3/25
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 48 seconds ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No doubt about that at all
posted on 12/3/25
Pele
17 years old scores a double in the world cup final to win it.
posted on 12/3/25
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 33 minutes ago
Maybe it would have felt less like living in a foreign country for Rush in Naples?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 12/3/25
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
U canknot compare considerin the diffrent sirfacues, ballz, equiiment, rules, trainin etc
posted on 12/3/25
comment by Bluey is a Crackhead (U22472)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
U canknot compare considerin the diffrent sirfacues, ballz, equiiment, rules, trainin etc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently watched an old video of me playing in a decent under 12 cup final from 1984. Given we had a good team, the standard compared to today's football was nowhere near as good.
I know it was boys Football but if you use that as a yardstick, players are not much better.
posted on 12/3/25
are NOW much better
posted on 12/3/25
comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 3 hours, 56 minutes ago
I have to go Rooney who, don't forget, has none of the inherent black African genes that give a huge advantage to others in the conversation. Not racist but a real thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Just what on bloody earth are you talking about???
posted on 12/3/25
Wayne Rooney is the best 17 year old I’ve personally seen he was incredible for his age.
posted on 12/3/25
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by Bluey is a Crackhead (U22472)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
U canknot compare considerin the diffrent sirfacues, ballz, equiiment, rules, trainin etc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently watched an old video of me playing in a decent under 12 cup final from 1984. Given we had a good team, the standard compared to today's football was nowhere near as good.
I know it was boys Football but if you use that as a yardstick, players are not much better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Football is faster now. But that doesn't make it better. There were some fantastic footballers 30/40/50/60 years back.
posted on 12/3/25
Tbf Sandy, players these days are much better on the ball. Again, in general. Maradona was a one off in the 80's but would not stick out as much now
posted on 12/3/25
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by Bluey is a Crackhead (U22472)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 10 minutes ago
Doubt many on here would have seen Pele at 17
Norman Whiteside was pretty damn decent as was Michael Owen. Pretty sure he was 17 when he debuted for Liverpool.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was who was the best 17 year old. Not who had seen him.
No player before or since has scored a world cup semi final hat-trick and two goals in the final. Let alone a 17 year old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any better 17 year olds you guys have seen do what Yamal is doing?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll also add that Footballers are imo a lot better in general than they were 60 years ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
U canknot compare considerin the diffrent sirfacues, ballz, equiiment, rules, trainin etc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently watched an old video of me playing in a decent under 12 cup final from 1984. Given we had a good team, the standard compared to today's football was nowhere near as good.
I know it was boys Football but if you use that as a yardstick, players are not much better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Football is faster now. But that doesn't make it better. There were some fantastic footballers 30/40/50/60 years back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There was but these days being an athlete is the fundamental criteria with the faster the better. Anything else can be coachable or gained by practice though guys like Werner do their best to refute that but it underlines why so many have persevered with him.
Back in the day hatchet men and dribbling wingers could thrive more.
posted on 12/3/25
werner
posted on 12/3/25
Pele won the World Cup at 17 with a hattie in the SF and a double in the Final
posted on 13/3/25
I have read somewhere before that Pele scored a semi final hattrick and two in the final of 1958 world cup. Anyone else heard this?
Page 3 of 4