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25 Best Young Players in World Football (Ranked)

Sometimes it’s obvious in football which young players are destined for greatness. Lionel Messi is the one example that immediately springs to mind, although there are many others. It was patently clear that the Argentine had the potential to become a world-class footballer just a few years after he joined Barcelona aged 13.

Similarly, there are a handful of youngsters aged 21 or under in 2025 who appear to possess all the tools to become truly great footballers. We’re unlikely to see another Messi emerge any time soon, but that doesn’t mean they won’t become outstanding players in their own right.

Ranking factors

We’ve ranked the world’s current best young footballers based on the following criteria:

  • Achievements so far at club / international level
  • Expected potential

Only players aged 21 or under at the time of writing qualify for the list.

25 Geovany Quenda | Portugal, Age 18

Position: Winger. Club: Sporting CP. DOB 30/04/2007

Geovany Quenda

Of all the Sporting CP players Ruben Amorim might have hoped to lure to Manchester United this summer, the one generating the most transfer buzz was Geovany Quenda – remarkable given he only made his first-team debut in August and was playing for the club’s reserves this time last year.

The 18-year-old winger, equally adept on either flank, quickly made his mark in Lisbon by becoming Sporting’s youngest-ever goalscorer. Within weeks of his top-flight debut, he earned a call-up to the senior Portugal squad, impressing with his passing range, dribbling skills, and tireless work rate. However, for Amorim, Chelsea have now beaten United to the punch, securing a £40m agreement to sign Quenda for the summer of 2026.

Alejandro Balde – Senior career so far
2024 – Present Sporting CP

24 Alejandro Balde | Spain, Age 21

Position: Defender. Club: Barcelona. DOB 18/10/2003

While injuries may have slowed his progression down a little over the years, Alejandro Balde is still a fine defender and is a key figure for Barcelona when healthy. The full-back came through the ranks at Camp Nou before making his debut in the senior team in 2022. His combination of blistering pace and intricate dribbling has made him a real threat down the flank for Hansi Flick’s side.

Still just 21 years old, there’s no telling how much further Balde can go before he calls time on his career. If he keeps playing at the level he’s currently at, though, Barcelona will have their left-back position locked down for a very, very long time.

Alejandro Balde – Senior career so far
2020 – 2022 Barcelona B
2022 – Present Barcelona

23 Kendry Paez | Ecuador, Age 18

Position: Midfielder. Club: Chelsea. DOB: 04/05/2007.

Kendry Paez of Ecuador celebrates vs Fiji

Kendry Paez is coming to the Premier League in 2025 after Chelsea struck an agreement to bring the wonderkid to Stamford Bridge from Independiente del Valle. He was just 15 years old when that deal was agreed for just shy of £20 million.

While that may seem like an extortionate fee for such a young player, Paez is expected to reach a world-class level in the future and fans could look back on that as some of the best business in recent memory. The Ecuadorian midfielder’s incredible touch and ball control are among his best features, which he will be hoping to show on loan at Strasbourg this term. The biggest moment of his young career came when Paez led his team to victory in the final of the Copa Milo Mitad del Mundo 2022.

Kendry Paez – Senior career so far
2023 – 2025 Independiente del Valle
2025 Chelsea
2025 – Present Strasbourg (loan)

22 Jamie Gittens | England, Age 21

Position: Winger. Club: Chelsea. DOB: 08/08/2004

Like Jadon Sancho, Jamie Gittens was an academy player at Manchester City when he decided to take his talents to Borussia Dortmund and continue his development there. Also like Sancho, the move paid off for the Englishman as he emerged into the Bundesliga club’s first-team and became an exciting young talent for them. No one develops players like Dortmund and Gittens is the latest example of that.

The 21-year-old winger had the best season of his young career so far during 2024/25, with 12 goals in all competitions, and it wasn’t too surprising to see Chelsea take notice. The Blues have had an eye for young talent for a while now and this summer, Gittens became the latest prospect to move to Stamford Bridge, helping to usher in an exciting new era for the Blues.

Jamie Gittens – Senior career so far
2022 – 2025 Borussia Dortmund
2025 – Present Chelsea

21 Lucas Bergvall | England, Age 19

Position: Midfielder Club: Tottenham Hotspur DOB: 2/2/2006.

Lucas Bergvall, a highly talented Swedish midfielder, made headlines in 2024 when he signed with Tottenham Hotspur. Born in 2006, Bergvall is already being hailed as one of the most promising young players in Europe. Known for his composure on the ball, excellent vision, and technical intelligence, he possesses a maturity far beyond his years. His ability to dictate tempo from midfield and pick out incisive passes has drawn comparisons to elite playmakers, while his calm presence under pressure makes him a valuable asset in both attacking and transitional phases of the game.

What sets Bergvall apart is not just his technical skill, but also his strong work ethic and tactical versatility. Comfortable playing as a central or attacking midfielder, he combines creativity with a gritty determination to win back possession and influence the game on both ends. At Tottenham, he’s seen as a long-term investment, with the potential to develop into a cornerstone of the team’s midfield. Fans and analysts alike are excited to see how his unique blend of intelligence, technique, and drive will evolve under Premier League pressure.

Rico Lewis – Senior career so far
2022 – Present Manchester City

20 Alejandro Garnacho | Argentina, Age 21

Position: Winger. Club: Manchester United. DOB: 01/07/2004.

Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho‘s time at Manchester United appears to be coming to an end after failing to convince Ruben Amorim, but there’s no doubt the Madrid-born winger, who has represented Argentina’s senior national team on eight occasions, is a young player with enormous potential. Many United fans fear that Amorim could be making a huge mistake letting him go as a deal to Chelsea is all but finalised.

Garnacho’s direct dribbling style and fearless nature made him a firm fan favourite at Old Trafford during Erik ten Hag’s tenure. There are a couple of areas of his game that require fine-tuning, attitude included, but the 21-year-old has the potential to become one of the world’s best wingers if everything clicks.

Alejandro Garnacho – Senior career so far
2022 – Present Manchester United

19 Marc Casado | Spain, Age 21

Position: Midfielder. Club: Barcelona. DOB: 14/09/2003.

Marc Casado
Marc Casado

The latest of a long line of technically gifted Spanish midfielders to be produced at Camp Nou, Marc Casado is starting to catch the eye with his impressive performances under Hansi Flick. There’s fierce competition for a place in the Barcelona midfield, but don’t be surprised to see the 21-year-old claim a regular spot in the years to come.

In the same mold as Xavi and Sergio Busquets, Casado is one of the most composed players around in possession of the ball, while possessing the intelligence to pick up space anywhere on the pitch. La Masia have struck gold once again with this midfield gem.

Marc Casado – Senior career so far
2022 – 2024 Barcelona B
2022 – Present Barcelona

18 Aleksandar Pavlovic | England, Age 21

Position: Midfielder. Club: Bayern Munich. DOB: 03/05/2004.

The goalscoring threat of Harry Kane and the dazzling of Michael Olise on the right means that the likes of Aleksandar Pavlovic go under the radar. The young German, who was born in 2004, is the new breed of defensive midfielders – and there are very few young midfielders that possess the same maturity as the Bayern Munich phenom.

Not only is he defensively sound, but he is a sound ball-carrier, too, and often breaks the lines to make a difference further afield. He endured his fair share of injury troubles in the 2024/25 campaign but, when fully fit and raring to go, he’s often stationed as the fulcrum of Vincent Kompany’s engine room.

Aleksandar Pavlovic – Senior career so far
2023 – Present Bayern Munich

17 Ethan Nwaneri | England, Age 18

Position: Striker/winger. Club: Arsenal. DOB: 21/03/2007.

Ethan Nwaneri has stepped into the void that Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli’s long-term injuries have left like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Not in his wildest dreams would the 18-year-old have believed anyone if they had told him he would play a crucial part in Arsenal’s 2024/25 season.

But right now, there seems to be nobody better than the young livewire in the attacking third for the Gunners. Equally capable on his right foot as he is on his left, the teenage sensation makes things happen, and while rivals for his position often lack something in their skillset – whether that be decision-making or the ability to consistently furnish his solo runs with goal contributions – Nwaneri proves he might just have it all. In 26 Premier League games last term, he hit the back of the net four times.

Ethan Nwaneri – Senior career so far
2022 – Present Arsenal

16 Milos Kerkez | Hungary, Age 21

Position: Defender. Club: Liverpool. DOB: 07/11/2003.

With Andy Robertson losing a step last season, Liverpool knew it was time to think about replacing their iconic left-back. Fortunately for Arne Slot, the 2024/25 campaign saw Milos Kerkez emerge at Bournemouth as an elite full-back. The Hungarian international shone for the Cherries as they produced their best-ever season in the top flight.

He was dynamite down the left-hand side and Liverpool fans are thrilled with his arrival at Anfield. Whether he can replicate his form with Bournemouth on Merseyside remains to be seen, but the defender has a blindingly bright future and if he’s even half as good, he’ll still be very impressive.

Milos Kerkez – Senior career so far
2020 – 2021 Gyor
2021 – 2022 AC Milan
2022 – 2023 AZ
2023 – 2025 Bournemouth
2025 – Present Liverpool

15 Leny Yoro | France, Age 19

Position: Defender. Club: Manchester United. DOB: 13/11/2005.

Leny Yoro was linked with some of the biggest clubs in world football, including Real Madrid and Liverpool, but it was Manchester United who won the race to sign the young French defender. The 19-year-old impressed during his first two seasons in Ligue 1 for Lille, catching the eye of Europe’s elite in the process.

Yoro played 44 games in all competitions during the 2023-24 season and showed his versatility by playing as a centre-back and even as a defensive midfielder. His 6ft 2in frame helps the Frenchman dominate in the air, but his ability with the ball at his feet is also brilliant for such a tall player. While 2024-25 was a disastrous campaign for the Red Devils, one of the few shining lights was Yoro’s performances and while Rio Ferdinand may not like the comparisons to him, it is easy to see where they come from.

Leny Yoro – Senior career so far
2022 – 2024 LOSC Lille
2024 – Present Manchester United

14 Savinho | Brazil, Age 21

Position: Winger. Club: Manchester City. DOB: 10/04/2004.

Many have complained about the robotic nature of Pep Guardiola’s system at Manchester City – but one person who defies that, and overcomes it with enviable trickery and poise, is Savinho. He signed from Troyes in the summer of 2024 after becoming one of the most exciting wingers in world football.

Left-footed, too, the Brazilian adds something different to the mix at the Etihad Stadium – and, although the goals and assists are not his bread and butter, leaving defenders in the wake of his sheer pace and talent certainly is. For now, he looks to be a crucial part of Guardiola’s side moving forward. It’s now up to the youngster to prove himself and nail down a spot on either flank.

Savinho – Senior career so far
2022 – 2024 Troyes
2022 – 2023 PSV Eindhoven (loan)
2023 – 2024 Girona (loan)
2024 – Present Manchester City

13 Kobbie Mainoo | England, Age 20

Position: Midfielder. Club: Manchester United. DOB: 19/04/2005.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in action

Kobbie Mainoo burst onto the scene with Manchester United during the 2023/24 season and impressed fans and pundits alike with his remarkably mature performances. Many young players struggle when they’re thrust into a team that isn’t firing on all cylinders, but Mainoo has seen this as his opportunity to shine and has taken it with both hands.

The central midfielder – who turned 20 in April – has forced his way into the England first-team, starting several knockout games for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 and looking comfortable. Mainoo produced the goods in the Premier League week in and week out in his attempts to make that dream a reality, but his form has somewhat dipped last season. There’s even talk that he might end up leaving Old Trafford as he struggles for game time under Ruben Amorim.

Kobbie Mainoo – Senior career so far
2022 – Present Manchester United

12 Dean Huijsen | Spain, Age 20

Position: Defender. Club: Real Madrid. DOB: 14/04/2005.

Just a quick reminder that Juventus allowed Dean Huijsen to leave for a, in comparison to his ceiling, paltry fee of just over £10 million. He was quickly on the radar of the very best clubs in Europe – and this summer, unfortunately for those on the south coast, was the time for him to depart. Albeit comfortable in possession of the ball, the Spaniard seldom loses focus.

Real Madrid won the race for his services, and the perennial Champions League winners will be adding a world-beating talent to their ranks because, well, that’s exactly what they do. Huijsen, 20, is the perfect central defender for the modern game, and he’s only poised to get better with age.

Dean Huijsen – Senior career so far
2023 – 2024 Juventus
2024 AS Roma (loan)
2024 – 2025 Bournemouth
2025 – present Real Madrid

11 Myles Lewis-Skelly | England, Age 18

Position: Defender. Club: Arsenal. DOB: 26/09/2006

A number of impressive young talents have come through the doors at Arsenal recently, including Myles Lewis-Skelly. The Englishman, who can play as either a left-back or defensive midfielder, has been predominantly featuring on the left side of defence and has enjoyed a very promising start to his senior career so far.

Having made his debut for the Gunners in September 2024, coming off the bench during the side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League, the 18-year-old has since featured numerous times under Mikel Arteta. The youngster has also caught the eye of Thomas Tuchel, and he scored the first goal of the new England manager’s reign against Albania in March 2025. A dream international debut for a top talent.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – Senior career so far
2024 – Present Arsenal

10 Kenan Yildiz | Turkey, Age 20

Position: Winger. Club: Juventus. DOB: 04/05/2005.

You need to be a special player to wear the number 10 shirt for Juventus. But you have to be a remarkable talent to be handed Juve’s number 10 shirt while you’re still a teenager. Kenan Yildiz, the 20-year-old who was born in Germany but has already been capped 21 times by Turkey’s national team, took the No. 10 shirt after committing his future to the Old Lady in 2024.

“The number 10 of Juventus? You have two sides of the coin to have a number like that,” the teenager said. “It’s a really, really heavy number. You have the confidence side, the pride side, but then you also have the side where you have to show something for the people who gave you that honour. It was nice to play with it because, on the pitch if it gives you the feeling that you can do something, you know?”

Kenan Yildiz – Senior career so far
2023 – Present Juventus

Warren Zaire-Emery | France, Age 19

Position: Midfielder. Club: Paris Saint-Germain. DOB: 08/03/2006.

It says a lot that 19-year-old midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery has already broken into Paris Saint-Germain’s senior team and became one of the first names on the team sheet during the 2023-24 campaign. With all the money that’s been invested into building a team capable of competing for the Champions League, to trust such a young player to be a huge part of the club’s plans is a huge show of faith from manager Luis Enrique.

Zaire-Emery looks like an experienced and cultured player in the middle of the park with the composure of a seasoned veteran and the running power of a peak athlete. His ability to bring the ball forward and dominate games from the middle of the park showcases exciting signs that are on the horizon for the years to come, in which the French midfielder could be the focal point of the PSG team for the next 15 years.

Warren Zaire-Emery – Senior career so far
2022 – Present Paris Saint-Germain

Gavi | Spain, Age 21

Position: Midfielder. Club: Barcelona. DOB: 05/08/2004.

Gavi is seen as the future of Spanish football, alongside a couple of other players, to make this list. The young midfielder has all the skills required to make it to the top and stay there for several years. Even with his smaller frame, his aggression is off the charts, with the 21-year-old more than holding his own in midfield against much bigger players than him.

In August 2021, the midfielder – once a winner of the prestigious Kopa Trophy – made his La Liga debut at the age of 17, which was very impressive until he was overshadowed by Lamine Yamal two years later. There is a confidence within the youngster that borders on arrogance in the way he has opposing players chasing shadows in a desperate attempt to win possession from him. The Barcelona midfield will feature Gavi for the next decade, at least, with the club managing to tie him down to a new contract.

Gavi – Senior career so far
2021 Barcelona B
2021 – Present Barcelona

Arda Guler | Turkey, Age 20

Position: Midfielder. Club: Real Madrid. DOB: 25/02/2005.

The biggest compliment that can be paid to teenage wonderkid Arda Guler came when a former youth coach claimed the Real Madrid starlet has ‘more potential than Messi’, according to Football Espana. The coach in question was Erol Tokgozler, who worked with Guler at the age of 13 before his move to Fenerbahce. Tokgozler said:

“Messi is the greatest I have ever seen and Arda has great abilities. Messi has already achieved everything and Arda still has to do it all, he is still a child. But if we talk about potential purely, Arda has more potential than Messi. Although he still has a long way to go.”

It’s almost unfathomable that a 20-year-old who has only played 61 games for Real Madrid at the time of writing – mainly due to an injury sustained upon his arrival – could come anywhere near the level of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Guler certainly caught the eye of many during his time playing in Turkey by contributing 21 goals in only 51 games for Fenerbahce.

Arda Guler – Senior career so far
2021 – 2023 Fenerbahce
2023 – Present Real Madrid

Estevao | Brazil, Age 18

Position: Winger. Club: Palmeiras. DOB: 24/04/2007.

Estevao

“Estevao is the best player to have emerged from Brazilian football since Neymar. You watch him and you fall in love.” This is the eye-opening verdict of Palmeiras’ head of academy Joao Paulo Sampaio, who told BBC Sport more about the player Chelsea have managed to sign. “He already impresses with his technique but, like Neymar at this same point in his career, he has not yet matured physically and is not as strong as Endrick, so he could still develop a lot. That’s what amazes everyone and makes them think that he will reach a much higher level.”

Nicknamed ‘Messinho’, the Brazilian teenager will officially become a Chelsea player after the Club World Cup – the tournament where he’s catching the attention of football fans all over the globe. In both of Palmeiras’ opening Club World Cup fixtures, it was the Premier League-bound attacker who was named the Superior Player of the Match. Chelsea, it seems, have landed themselves an enormous talent.

Estevao – Senior career so far
2023 – 2025 Palmeiras
2025 – Present Chelsea

Endrick | Brazil, Age 19

Position: Striker. Club: Real Madrid. DOB: 21/07/2006.

Endrick may only be 19 years old, but he’s been making waves for a couple of years now thanks to his eye-catching performances in Brazil with Palmeiras. It came as no surprise when Real Madrid announced that they’d secured the teenager’s services back in December 2022.

From scoring potential Puskas Award contenders aged 15 to becoming the fourth-youngest player to represent Brazil’s senior team, there’s no doubt that Endrick has star quality and could become a major asset for Real Madrid after completing his move to the Bernabeu last summer. The young superstar even scored his first two international goals against England and Spain.

Endrick – Senior career so far
2022 – 2024 Palmeiras
2024 – Present Real Madrid

Pau Cubarsi | Spain, Age 18

Position: Defender. Club: Barcelona. DOB: 22/01/2007

Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy has produced some extraordinary talent over the years. After one youngster breaks through, it’s only a matter of time before another is handed an opportunity to impress. Very few would’ve heard the name Pau Cubarsi at the start of the 2023-24 campaign, but he’s now the latest player to follow in the footsteps of Pedri, Gavi, and Lionel Messi and break into the first team.

The 18-year-old intelligent defender has already been handed his senior debut with his beloved Spain, coming on against Colombia in March 2024. In doing so, he became the youngest ever player to play for the national side. The centre-back appears to have an incredibly bright future ahead of him.

Pau Cubarsi – Senior career so far
2023 – 2024 Barcelona B
2024 – Present Barcelona

Joao Neves | Portugal, Age 20

Position: Midfielder. Club: PSG. DOB: 27/09/2004.

Joao Neves for PSG

Joao Neves has been touted as a future star for over a year now, as the midfield lynchpin reportedly attracted interest from elite clubs around Europe. Paris Saint-Germain won the race to sign the cultured midfielder in the summer, beating the likes of Manchester United to his signature.

He was involved for Portugal at Euro 2024, which is an impressive feat when considering the vast array of talent at Roberto Martinez’s disposal in the engine room. The 20-year-old has impressed for his club in both domestic and continental competitions, catching the eye with his ability to get stuck in and win the ball back as well as his keen eye for a pass.

Joao Neves – Senior career so far
2022 – 2024 Benfica
2024 – Present Paris Saint-Germain

Desire Doue | France, Age 20

Position: Winger. Club: Paris Saint-Germain. DOB: 03/06/2005.

Desire Doue has been so impressive for Paris Saint-Germain during his debut campaign at the Parc des Princes that teammates, fans and pundits alike have run out of superlatives for the gifted young winger. “Doue? You saw the match, what more can I say? He is magnificent, he plays very well,” Goncalo Ramos recently told reporters. “He has a lot of technique and is very important for us.”

The former Rennes starlet cost PSG a fee in the region of €50 million, but that’s already looking like a bargain price – particularly after his stunning Man of the Match performance in the Champions League final, which saw him earn a rare 10/10 rating from L’Equipe. Currently starring alongside the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Doue has shown that PSG had nothing to worry about after losing Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid.

Desire Doue – Senior career so far
2022 – 2024 Rennes
2024 – Present Paris Saint-Germain

Lamine Yamal | Spain, Age 18

Position: Winger. Club: Barcelona. DOB: 13/07/2007.

Aged just 16, Lamine Yamal became one of the youngest players in La Liga history after entering the fray during a 4-0 win over Real Betis in April 2023. He also became Barcelona’s youngest player to start a game in the competition after being handed his full debut earlier in the 2023/24 season. Xavi backed the youngster by claiming:

“Lamine Yamal is practically a chosen one. His decision-making is exceptional. He’s not perfect of course, he is 16… but how he makes a difference at such an age already tells you the type of player he is and can be. His growth this year has been insane.”

Since then, Lamine Yamal has continued to blossom and now looks destined to become the world’s best footballer within the next few years. Although we all thought the same about Kylian Mbappe, it would be a shock if he didn’t end his career with at least one Ballon d’Or award. Compared to Lionel Messi, it’s no longer an exaggeration to suggest that Euro 2024’s best young player is the most talented 18-year-old we’ve seen since the legendary Argentine broke through at Camp Nou.

Lamine Yamal – Senior career so far
2022 – 2023 Barcelona B
2023 – Present Barcelona

25 Best Young Players in the World
Rank Player Club Age
1. Lamine Yamal Barcelona 17
2. Desire Doue Paris Saint-Germain 20
3. Joao Neves Paris Saint-Germain 20
4. Pau Cubarsi Barcelona 18
5. Endrick Real Madrid 18
6. Willian Estevao Chelsea 18
7. Arda Guler Real Madrid 20
8. Gavi Barcelona 21
9. Warren Zaire-Emery Paris Saint-Germain 19
10. Kenan Yildiz Juventus 20
11. Myles Lewis-Skelly Arsenal 18
12. Dean Huijsen Real Madrid 20
13. Kobbie Mainoo Manchester United 20
14. Savinho Manchester City 21
15. Leny Yoro Manchester United 19
16. Milos Kerkez Liverpool 21
17. Ethan Nwaneri Arsenal 18
18. Aleksandar Pavlovic Bayern Munich 21
19. Marc Casado Barcelona 21
20. Alejandro Garnacho Manchester United 21
21. Lucas Bergvall Tottenham Hotspur 19
22. Jamie Gittens Chelsea 20
23. Kendry Paez Chelsea 18
24. Alejandro Balde Barcelona 21
25. Geovany Quenda Sporting CP 18

All statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt – correct as of 30/07/25.

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