Henry Onyekuru and Youri Tielemans were Belgium’s own Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi last season.
The Nigerian striker lost out to Tielemans in a single season; at club and individual levels.
Inspired by Tielemans, Anderlecht were crowned league champions in the Jupiler League. The player also beat Onyekuru to second spot in the Belgium Young player of the year award.
Next season though, both will take their battle elsewhere now, hon their talents and perhaps return later to cross swords again.
While Onyekuru is yet to sort out his future, with Arsenal his touted destination, the 20-year-old Belgian will be just across the channel in France.
On Wednesday, AS Monaco announced they have signed Belgium’s young player of the year Youri Tielemans from Anderlecht for a reported 25m euros (£21.63m).
🖊📝AS Monaco is delighted to announce the arrival of @ytielemans until 2022 ! #WelcomeToMonaco pic.twitter.com/k6u457V3Nz
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) May 25, 2017
The midfielder, 20, agreed to a five-year deal with the French champions.
He scored 13 league goals for Anderlecht last season to help them win the Belgian title.
“Monaco is a club with an ambitious project, recognised on the European stage, and which relies on young players,” Tielemans said.
“I am very happy to be here. I will now do everything possible to progress here and repay the confidence the club have shown in me.”
