In the week of English football's Carling Cup - a competition synonymous with the blooding of young talent - 101greatgoals takes a look at some of the most exciting youngsters in the world at the moment.

1. Kun Aguero (19): With all the talk of Barcelona’s brilliant Argentinian Lionel Messi, it has been easy to forget about Atletico Madrid’s own diminutive gem. Kun, or Sergio as he is known to some, has been in magnificent form this season both in La Liga and the UEFA Cup. He became the youngest-ever player in the Argentinian top flight when he turned out for Independiente in 2003 at the tender age of 15. Quick, inventive and with a superb first touch, Aguero is starting to hit the headlines in Spain almost as frequently as his good pal Lionel. (See clips here.)

2. Karim Benzema (19): Benzema has taken France's Ligue 1 by storm so far this season. He’s the division’s out-and-out top marksman, hitting the net 11 times for champions Lyon already. Tall and powerful, Benzema has taken his good domestic form onto the international scene where he has scored three times in six appearances. It is somewhat unsurprising that his recent performances have attracted the likes of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who was reported to be lining up a gigantic offer for the hottest prospect in French football. (See clips here.)

'A record-breaking prodigy, Bojan scored an unbelievable 960 goals in seven years while playing for Barcelona’s youth side'


3. Bojan Krkic (17): A record-breaking prodigy, Bojan scored an unbelievable 960 goals in seven years while playing for Barcelona’s youth sides. In 2007 he led Spain to victory in the UEFA Under-17 Championships, scoring the only goal of the final win over England. Since then he has opened his La Liga account for Barcelona and become the youngest player to appear in a Champions League game, when he came off the bench in Barca’s opening-night win over Lyon. (See clips here.)

4. Giovani Dos Santos (18): Not only does the kid look a bit like his team-mate Ronaldinho, but he also plays like him. Giovani has wonderful balance and trickery, and is now a fixture in Barcelona’s first-team squad. Like Bojan, he was a revelation at Under-17 level, playing an integral role in Mexico’s World Cup win in 2005. It was in that tournament where he began to make a name for himself, being voted the tournament's second-best player. The precocious talent who pipped him to the post was…… (See clips here.)

5. Anderson (19) Anderson shot to stardom two years ago when he was the hero of one of the most bizarre games in Brazilian league history. Playing for his boyhood club Gremio in the second division, he scored the winning goal which took his side back up to the top flight. What made the goal extra special was that Gremio only had seven men on the pitch at the time. Calm in possession with a blistering burst of pace, he quickly moved to FC Porto, who in turn sold him on to Manchester United for £17m. His first year with the Premier League champions was supposed to be one in which he would slowly settle into the side. However, two months into the season and he is already pulling the strings in the United midfield. (See clips here.)

6. Carlos Vela (18): It is relatively unknown that Arsenal in fact own the contract of this tremendously gifted striker. Top scorer at the 2005 Under-17 World Cup, Vela has spent three years on loan in Spain in order to gain EU citizenship, which he has now obtained. There is talk of Arsenal unleashing him on the Premier League in January, and this would without question add another impressive string to the Gunners' bow. Vela is as quick-running as he is with his brain. Deadly in front of goal and mesmerising with the ball at his feet, he will certainly prove to be another of Wenger’s master-strokes. (See clips here.)

7. Hatem Ben Arfa (20): It says a lot about one so young to be called into his national side instead of experienced goal machine David Trezeguet. That’s exactly what happened to Ben Arfa earlier this month when he took the Juventus striker’s place in the French squad for their Euro 2008 qualifiers. Ben Arfa, who rejected the chance to represent Tunisia in the 2006 World Cup, is more of a goal-maker then a goal-taker, and his subtle, skilful style acts as a perfect foil for his powerful Lyon team-mate Benzema. (See clips here.)

8. Miguel Veloso (21): Veloso rose to prominence at this summer’s Under-21 tournament and is rumoured to be a target of practically every big club in Europe. A holding midfielder with a fabulous range of passing and strong in the tackle, the son of former Benfica legend Antonio has been in stupendous form for Sporting Club de Portugal so far this season. One should expect to see his flowing locks at pastures new sooner rather then later. (See clips here.)

9. Ryan Babel (20): Liverpool pulled off a real coup when they landed Holland’s most exciting youngster this past summer. Although he is yet to light up the Premier League, Babel has all the makings of a top player. With fantastic pace, bewitching balance and a cool head in front of goal, he will surely gain a regular spot at Anfield soon. There is an argument that if he had been playing under a more imaginative and less cautious boss than Rafael Benitez, he may have had a greater impact in England by now. (See clips here.)

10. Alexandre Pato (18): As if one Brazilian magician wasn’t enough, AC Milan spent £16m on bringing Pato to the San Siro. Nicknamed “The Duck”, he will be allowed to play for the Rossoneri from January 2008. Spotted playing futsal in Brazil at the ripe old age of three, he has never looked back. He scored on his debut for Internacional, and after only one year playing with the Brazilian side, Milan came calling. (See clips here.)

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