A new report by the CIES Football Observatory – an independent, Swiss-based sports studies centre – lists the leading 100 teenage footballers across the globe, based on their experiences in senior matches during 2021.
And Mason was second only to Barcelona's Pedri in the final reckoning, having scored 10 goals in 36 matches (2,327 minutes) during the current calendar year.
Indeed, but for the injury that ruled Greenwood out of the Euros – and Pedri's involvement at both that tournament and the Olympics with Spain – Greenwood might even have emerged on top.
The list is based on minutes and goals, but the stats are also weighted by “the sporting strength of employer clubs or competitions played”.