For the third instalment of this series, we travel back around 20 years in Otten Cup history. Looking back at the squads from those years, we find the names of players who would go on to become global stars, national team captains and record-breaking internationals. Once again, it shows just how special it is to look back through the history of the tournament.
Arnautović: from Enschede to record international
Our journey begins in 2007. A young Serbian-Austrian striker was part of the combined FC Twente/Heracles youth team at the time: Marko Arnautović.
The forward went on to build an impressive career. After spells with clubs including Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, Stoke City, West Ham United, Bologna and Inter again, he eventually joined Red Star Belgrade. It was particularly with Austria that he developed into one of the most influential players of his generation. He has now earned no fewer than 135 caps and scored 48 goals for the Austrian national team.
Marko Arnautović
Kane and Lukaku: world-class strikers in the making
At the 2009 edition, two players took to the pitch who would later develop into world-class strikers. Although that may not have been immediately apparent at the time.
Harry Kane represented Tottenham Hotspur at the Otten Cup, but he was still playing as a centre-back. Years later, he would become one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, winning six top-scoring awards in the Premier League and Bundesliga, as well as the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024.
In 2009, however, Kane was still the leader of the defence. He failed to score during the tournament, even when he returned in 2010 as a number 10 for the England youngsters. He had far more success in front of goal for the England senior side. He has now scored 81 goals in 116 international appearances. After more than a decade at Tottenham Hotspur, he moved to Bayern Munich in 2023. Last season, he even found the net against PSV in the Champions League.
Harry Kane
The other future world-class striker was already a big presence in 2009 – quite literally. Romelu Lukaku was only 16 years old, but his imposing physique had already made a big impression. Even so, he also failed to score during his appearance at the Otten Cup.
By then, Lukaku had already made his professional debut for RSC Anderlecht in the final match of the 2008/09 season. Just a few months after appearing at the Otten Cup, Belgium manager Dick Advocaat handed him his senior international debut. In 2011, he joined his boyhood club Chelsea. After spells with West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Manchester United, Inter Milan, AS Roma and Napoli, he developed into one of the most successful Belgian footballers of all time.
During Belgium's opening World Cup match, his 127th international appearance, Lukaku made an immediate impact after coming off the bench. Although the goal was ultimately credited as an own goal, his impressive record speaks for itself. With 90 international goals to his name, he remains Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer.
Romelu Lukaku
Marten de Roon: a quiet force
Another future World Cup player was also at the Otten Cup in 2009. The young midfielder Marten de Roon made his Eredivisie debut for Sparta Rotterdam during the 2009/10 season, against FC Twente.
After several seasons in Rotterdam, De Roon moved to SC Heerenveen. In 2015, he joined Atalanta, where he would establish himself as a key player. Only one season at Middlesbrough interrupted his time in Italy. Since returning in 2017, he has once again been one of Atalanta's mainstays.
De Roon also became a dependable presence for the Netherlands. The midfielder has now made 43 international appearances and scored one goal for his country.
Marten de Roon in a battle with Rodrigo Moreno Machado
Pickford, Guedes, Weah, Elanga and Gordon
In the years that followed, the Otten Cup continued to provide a stage for future internationals.
At the 2011 edition, Jordan Pickford was in goal for Sunderland. His strong goalkeeping, excellent reflexes, confident decision-making when coming off his line and quality distribution from set pieces made a big impression. It earned him the award for the tournament's best goalkeeper. In 2017, Pickford left Sunderland for Everton, where he remains under contract. The England goalkeeper went on to become his country's undisputed number one and played an important role at several major tournaments. He has now earned 86 caps, making him one of the most experienced players in the England squad.
Jordan Pickford
Two years later, in 2013, Gonçalo Guedes also made his appearance at De Herdgang, representing Benfica. The Portuguese forward scored three goals during the special anniversary edition of the Otten Cup, in which Benfica secured fourth place with their attractive style of football. Guedes went on to enjoy a fine career with clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Valencia, Wolverhampton Wanderers and, more recently, Real Sociedad. He has also earned 34 caps for Portugal.
Gonçalo Guedes
At the 2016 Otten Cup in Eindhoven, a 16-year-old Timothy Weah was already showing signs of exceptional talent. The Paris Saint-Germain Academy forward finished as joint top scorer with three goals, despite his team managing only seventh place. He was one of the standout players of the tournament. Since then, Weah has built an impressive career. After breaking through at Paris Saint-Germain, he went on to play for Celtic FC, LOSC Lille and Juventus FC, among others. In 2026, Weah is experiencing a special moment: the World Cup is being held in his home country, and he is once again part of Team USA. With 52 international appearances to his name, he is now one of the more experienced players in the American squad, who will be looking to live up to high expectations on home soil.
Timothy Weah
In 2017, it was Anthony Elanga's turn. The Swedish forward was just 15 years old when he represented Manchester United at the Otten Cup. He progressed through the academy of the English giants before making his way to the highest level. After a successful spell at Nottingham Forest, Elanga now plays for Newcastle United. At just 24 years of age, he already has 31 caps and six goals for Sweden, for whom he has become a regular.
Anthony Elanga
The most recent big name in this list is Anthony Gordon. The Englishman took part in the Otten Cup with Everton in 2019. It was not only his two goals that caught the eye; his technical ability, pace and individual skills were particularly impressive. It earned him the award for the tournament's best forward. In 2023, Gordon joined Newcastle United, where he is now a team-mate of Anthony Elanga. Since then, he has developed into one of the Premier League's most dangerous wingers. His strong performances earned him a place in England's World Cup squad, as well as a move to FC Barcelona.
Anthony Gordon
From De Herdgang to the world stage
With names such as Arnautović, Kane, Lukaku, Pickford, Guedes, Elanga and Gordon, this series is nearing its conclusion. Together with the players featured in the previous instalments, they form an impressive list of internationals who once graced the pitches of De Herdgang.
No fewer than 32 players from 14 different countries who have previously taken part in the Otten (Innovation) Cup are at the 2026 World Cup this summer. It is a remarkable number, underlining once again just how much international talent has graced the tournament over the years.
Who knows which current participants will be added to this list in the years to come? Would you like to see the stars of tomorrow in action? Then come to PSV Campus De Herdgang on Friday 14, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August for the 76th edition of the Otten Innovation Cup!