The globalization of soccer continues. European clubs are snapping up South America's best teenagers. Many of Europe's best young players have offers to play for more than one national team.

DIEGO AGUERO (Argentina).

Overshadowed by fellow Argentine teen Lionel Messi, Aguero debuted for Independiente at the age of 15, making him the youngest player ever to play in the Argentine First Division. Jose Pekerman, Argentina's coach at the 2006 World Cup, resisted pressure to take Aguero, but Pekerman's successor, Alfio Basile, gave him his first cap at the age of 18 against Brazil in September. The stocky Aguero, who goes by the nickname ''Kun,'' has drawn comparisons to another deadly finisher, the Brazilian Romario.

ISMAIL AISSATI (Netherlands).

Aissati is one of several young stars born in Europe to North African immigrants. Aiisati was born and raised in Utrecht, where his Moroccan father is an influential imam. He debuted for PSV last season and is the youngest player to ever play for a Dutch club in the Champions League. He starred for the Netherlands at last summer's European U-21 championship, but the Moroccan federation is rumored to be offering big money for Aissati and fellow PSV wunderkind Ibrahim Afellay to switch allegiances. FIFA regulations allow players with dual nationality to change allegiances before the age of 21 if they have not won a full international cap.

ALEXANDRE PATO (Brazil).

Talk about a spectacular debut: The 17-year-old Brazilian, whose name translates ''Alexander the Duck'' scored with his first touch for Internacional after 94 seconds and set up two more goals in a 4-1 win at Palmeiras. In his second game a month later, Pato scored for Internacional in its 2-1 win over Egypt's Al Ahly at the Club World Cup in Japan. His coach, Abel Braga, warned clubs to stay away, and Internacional increased the price tag on Pato from $4 million to $20 million after his first game. ''He has enormous ability and potential,'' says Braga. ''Every time he is asked to do something he always answers in a positive way. He is an important part of the team but it's important to remember he is just 17.''

KARIM BENZEMA (France).

Like Aissati, Benzema is torn between playing for the country of his birth (France) and his parents' home country (Algeria). The 19-year-old Lyon center forward received an offer to play for the Desert Foxes, but he would like to play for France. He was called up for France's friendly against Greece in November but had to decline because of a muscle strain. With Brazil international Fred injured, Benzema had up until his injury an excellent season with four La Ligue goals and two more in the Champions League ù keeping his record intact of scoring in every game he has played in the UEFA competition.

GONZALO CASTRO (Germany).

The 19-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder represents a new generation of German stars, many of them the sons of immigrants. Castro was born to Spanish parents in Wuppertal. The German national youth team program in which he plays has had players born to immigrants from Poland, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Angola, Ghana and Cameroon. Castro, who is in his third season with Leverkusen, made up his mind to play for Germany instead of Spain in late 2005. ''It has definitely been the most difficult decision of my life so far,'' he said. ''But I feel at home in Germany. I was educated here and I also learned my soccer here.''

JONATHAN DE GUZMAN (Canada).

At 18, De Guzman is one of the top prospects in the Dutch Eredivisie. In his second season with Feyenoord, De Guzman has already topped last year's total of four league goals with five in his first 14 games. He is the younger brother of Julian De Guzman, the first Canadian to play in Spain's La Liga with Deportivo Coruna. Their father is Filipino and their mother Jamaican, and they grew up in Scarborough, Ont. While Julian plays for Canada, Jonathan hasn't committed himself to Canada, which hosts next summer's Under-20 World Cup, and might play internationally for the Netherlands. Jonathan De Guzman wouldn't be the first player to snub Canada. Bayern Munich star Owen Hargraeves was raised in Calgary but plays for England.

GONZALO HIGUAIN (France).

The 19-year-old striker is one of the hottest properties in the world. Argentine club River Plate was demanding $16 million from Spanish club Real Madrid for Higuain. Like Juventus star David Trezeguet, Higuain was born in France to an Argentine professional but returned to Argentina at a young age. Shortly after Trezeguet was transferred to French club Monaco, he debuted for France and has gone on to have a successful international career. France tried to call up Higuain for its friendly against Greece in November, but he declined the invitation. He has yet to play for Argentina's national team. His French background will facilitate a move to a country like Spain, which has restrictions on non-EU players.

JO (Brazil).

The 19-year-old forward is the youngest of four Brazilians at Russian club CSKA Moscow. In his first season since arriving from Corinthians, Jo helped CKSA win the Premier League title and was named to the Sport Express all-league team. He finished second in the league with 14 goals ù 10 of them in his first 13 games before being slowed down by injuries.

MARCELO (Brazil).

Justifying the $8.7 million Real Madrid paid Fluminense in November for the 18-year-old left back, President Ramon Calderon described Marcelo as ''a pearl which half of Europe wanted.'' He's being groomed as the heir apparent for Roberto Carlos on the Brazil national team and at Real Madrid. ''He's a very young player who will bring freshness and life to the club,'' said Calderon. ''He is coming to help us renew the club.'' Marcelo has already been capped twice for Brazil's senior team ù but he will spend January with Brazil's U-20s at the South American Youth Championship in Paraguay.

MICAH RICHARDS (England).

The 18-year-old right back debuted for England in November, making him the youngest defender to ever play for England. Manchester City was bracing for transfer offers in excess of $20 million for Richards during the January transfer window. What makes Richards' story unique is that he learned his soccer at an English soccer school emphasizing Brazilian training methods. Simon Clifford, the program's founder, says that Richards, a product of a poor section of Leeds, was different from other students in that he had unusual strength and quickness.

GORAN SLAVKOVSKI (Sweden).

They are calling the 17-year-old Slavkovski ''Ibrahimovic II.'' Like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Slavkovski was born in Sweden to Macedonia immigrants. Like Ibrahimovic, Slavkovski started out at Malmoe FF and now plays for Inter Milan. Last spring, he became the youngest player ever to play for Inter when he debuted against Siena. Manchester United is rumored to be interested in signing the lanky center forward.

(This article originally appeared in the January 2007 issue of Soccer America Magazine.)