With the UEFA U21 European Championships currently taking place in Poland, we thought it would be a good idea to look back at some of the stars that cut their teeth in the competition down the years, and see if they managed to keep up that standard in senior international and club football.
The 'Golden Player Award' is given to the best overall player at each UEFA U21 European Championship, and while Marco Asensio has emerged as an early candidate for that accolade this year already, there have been some very big names to scoop the award in the past.
The likes of Luis Figo and Fabio Cannavaro would trump that honour by going on to claim a Ballon D'Or later in their careers, but what about the guys from the last couple of decades? There have been nine completed tournaments since the year 2000, and we checked in so see what each 'Golden Player' is up to now.
2000 - Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
Then: Inter Milan (spent previous season on loan at Reggina)
Now: New York City FC
Il Maestro was coming off the back of a successful loan spell at Reggina, but would soon be swiped by AC Milan who were more than happy to give him the gametime the old enemy couldn't. The rest, as they say, is history. Pirlo enjoyed huge success in 10 years at Milan before moving to Juventus in 2011 and enjoying even more success. He is now enjoying life in the MLS where he is one of the league's main attractions.
Did they deliver on their promise? Yes, and in style.
2002 - Petr Čech (Czech Republic)
Then: Sparta Prague
Now: Arsenal
Cech had made waves back in his homeland after Sparta Prague signed him from his boyhood club Chmel Blšany, but he would only stay there for one season as Rennes in Ligue 1 shelled out €5.5m to bring him in based on his performances at the U21 Euros. From there he would move to Chelsea where he became one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and is still one of the top keepers in the Premier League with Arsenal at 35 years old.
Did they deliver on their promise? Yes.
2004 - Alberto Gilardino (Italy)
Then: Parma
Now: Free agent (Played for both Empoli and Pescara last season in Serie A, both were relegated)
Gilardinho already had over 50 games of senior football in Italy when he lead his nation to the U21 European Championship in 2004 as the top scorer, but he would spend the rest of his career bouncing around a number of Italian clubs without settling down for a long stretch. Still, he bagged 19 goals for the Italian first team, and won a World Cup just two years after his U21 success, but he looked like he was going to be one of the great Italian strikers at that tournament, which ultimately he was not.
Did they deliver on their promise? Not really (Harsh)
2006 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Then: Heerenveen
Now: Ajax
Another who scooped the top scorer award along with 'best player', Huntelaar was billed as a future superstar as he looked lethal in front of goal that summer. He would have the chance to play at the very top level, as following his move to Ajax where he scored nearly a goal-a-game, he moved to Real Madrid. After failing to fit in there, he moved to AC Milan, but again he couldn't hold down a regular place. He left for Schalke where he would become a cult hero before returning to Ajax this summer. Always a useful striker, but never hit the heights expected of him.
Did they deliver on their promise? No (Somewhat harsh)
2007 - Royston Drenthe (Netherlands)
Then: Feyenoord (signed by Real Madrid that summer)
Now: Retired to pursue a career in rap music.
We've dedicated a full article to the weirdness of Royston Drenthe's career which you can read here, but to sum it up, he fell out with almost every manager he played under, was the victim of a bad loan at Read Madrid, and could never settle down. Slowly slid down the footballing ladder before calling it quits last year.
Did they deliver on their promise? No. Emphatically.
2009 - Marcus Berg (Sweden)
Then: Groningen
Now: Expected to sign for Al Ain after leaving Panathinaikos.
Similar to Huntelaar in more ways than one, Berg won top scorer and player of the tournament, and was soon on the move because of it. Hamburg were the club that won the race for his signature, but despite a good start, he made just over 50 appearances in four years before moving on to Greece, where things have not ended amicably.
Did they deliver on their promise? No.
2011 - Juan Mata (Spain)
Then: Valencia
Now: Manchester United
Mata was already being scouted by all of Europe's big clubs on the back of his performances in Spain when he dazzled at the U21 Euros, and his performances were enough to convince Chelsea to make their move. Mata was a big hit in London, winning the club's POTY award twice in a row as the club won the Champions League and Europa League, but soon Mourinho did not see him in his plans at it was off to Manchester United. He has since won trophies at Old Trafford, although he is yet to win the Premier League, and remains a fan favourite to this day.
Did they deliver on their promise? Yes.
2013 - Thiago Alcântara (Spain)
Then: Barcelona
Now: Bayern Munich
Another talent who was well known before the U21 tournament, Thiago spent most of that summer being linked to Manchester United, but after David Moyes apparently turned down a deal to bring him to Old Trafford, Bayern made their move and never looked back. He fit perfectly Pep Guardiola's system, and has been a pivotal part of their success since and is now one of the finest midfielders in Europe.
Did they deliver on their promise? Yes.
2015 - William Carvalho (Portugal)
Then: Sporting Lisbon
Now: Sporting Lisbon
Having been named in Portugal's 2014 World Cup squad the year previous, Cavalho lived up to his reputation as a wrecking ball in midfield as he guided the U21 side to the final, only to miss the deciding spot-kick once it went to penalties. He was named best player, and thus was linked to all of the big clubs in Europe, but stayed at Lisbon where he has been playing ever since. He has been doing well, but was overshadowed by the emergence of Renato Sanches last year and while he still has time, no big club has made a move for him just yet.
Did they deliver on their promise? Not yet.
Be sure to keep a close eye on the UEFA U21 European Championships over the next few weeks, as there are some truly exciting players on show. Judging by the first round of games, there's a good chance we could be adding Real Madrid's Marco Asensio to this list in the near future.
[Photo credit: Sportsfile]
