25 Best Young Players in World Football (Ranked)
Rob Swan, Calum Ritchie
67 – 85 minutes
Summary
We’ve ranked the top 25 players in world football, aged 21 or under, based on their achievements and potential.
Among the new entries for the 2024/25 season include Pau Cubarsi, Ethan Nwaneri, and Joao Neves.
Players over the age of 21 (as of February 2025) do not qualify for the list.
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, ruling out household names including Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Vinicius Jr and Bukayo Saka.
25 Best Young Players in the World
Rank
Player
Club
Age
1.
Lamine Yamal
Barcelona
17
2.
Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid
21
3.
Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich
21
4.
Florian Wirtz
Bayer Leverkusen
21
5.
Xavi Simons
RB Leipzig
21
6.
Pau Cubarsi
Barcelona
18
7.
Endrick
Real Madrid
18
8.
Arda Guler
Real Madrid
19
9.
Warren Zaire-Emery
Paris Saint-Germain
18
10.
Benjamin Sesko
RB Leipzig
21
11.
Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United
19
12.
Gavi
Barcelona
20
13.
Joao Neves
Paris Saint-Germain
20
14.
Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United
20
15.
Marc Casado
Barcelona
21
16.
Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal
17
17.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal
18
18.
Rico Lewis
Manchester City
20
19.
Leny Yoro
Manchester United
19
20
Conor Bradley
Liverpool
21
21.
Harvey Elliott
Liverpool
21
22.
Lewis Hall
Newcastle United
21
23.
Kendry Paez
Independiente del Valle
17
24.
Vitor Roque
Real Betis (On loan from Barcelona)
19
25.
Mathys Tel
Tottenham (On loan from Bayern Munich)
19
Best young players in world football in pictures
25 Mathys Tel | France, Age 19
Position: Midfielder. Club: Tottenham (On loan from Bayern Munich). DOB: 27/04/2005
Mathys Tel may not be one of the first names on the team sheet at the Allianz Arena, as shown by his recent loan switch to Tottenham, but the youngster often makes a huge impression when he takes to the field. Bayern Munich have a number of gems on their hands and the Frenchman is expected to be one of the many huge stars from their storied conveyor belt of talent in years to come.
He’s still a teenager and has played just over 70 times, and just shy of 80, for the biggest club in Germany at the time of writing, proving he is highly rated in Bavaria circles. Initially joining from Rennes in France, Tel has 22 goal contributions (16 goals; six assists) to his name during his two years for the Bundesliga behemoths, and will be hoping he can play a role in Tottenham’s ambitions of reclaiming a bit of form under Ange Postecoglu in the business end of the current term.
Mathys Tel – Senior career so far
2021-2022
Rennes
2022-
Bayern Munich
2025-
Tottenham (loan)
24 Vitor Roque | Brazil, Age 19
Position: Striker. Club: Real Betis (on loan from Barcelona). DOB: 28/02/2005.
Vitor Roque celebrates
To break into the Barcelona team by the age of 19 is impressive, even with the Catalan club flattering to deceive during the 2023/24 season. Vitor Roque has made an impression on the senior squad at Camp Nou with a handful of appearances in La Liga and domestic cup competitions. This campaign around, he’s spending it – albeit on loan – at Real Betis as a means of getting senior minutes on his CV.
There is another youngster at the Spanish club who is grabbing all the headlines – and we will get to him soon – but the Brazilian could be one to quietly go about his business in the background and become a star in his own right. So many unbelievable players have come from Brazil – including the likes of Neymar and Vinicius Junior – two fairly recent examples of world-class superstars to hail from the South American country, and Roque could be seen in a similar light in years to come.
Vitor Roque – Senior career so far
2021-2022
Cruzeiro
2022-2023
Athletico Paranaense
2023-
Barcelona
2024-
Real Betis (loan)
23 Kendry Paez | Ecuador, Age 17
Position: Midfielder. Club: Independiente del Valle. DOB: 04/05/2007.
Kendry Paez of Ecuador celebrates vs Fiji
Kendry Paez will be 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.
Chelsea wonderkid Kendry Paez
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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. 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
Manchester City
21 Harvey Elliott | England, Age 21
Position: Midfielder. Club: Liverpool. DOB: 04/04/2003.
Harvey Elliott was signed by Liverpool in the transfer window immediately following the club’s sixth Champions League success in 2019. Former Reds helmsman Klopp transformed the youngster and changed his role from an exciting winger to an extremely gifted and hard-working midfield player.
The Englishman doesn’t have the blistering pace of other players to occupy the wing positions, but the decision to have him move into a deeper role has been an inspired one for his development. Getting regular minutes in a newly revamped Liverpool midfield is a testament to the talent Elliott has with the ball at his feet. He covers a lot of ground in the Reds’ high-pressing system and his ability to pick out a pass to engineer space for his side is almost second-to-none under Arne Slot, which makes him a valuable asset from the bench when faced with a low-sitting defence.
Harvey Elliott – Senior career so far
2018-2019
Fulham
2019-
Liverpool
2020-2021
Blackburn Rovers (loan)
20 Conor Bradley | Northern Ireland, Age 21
Position: Defender. Club: Liverpool. DOB: 09/07/2003.
Imagine having to step in for Trent Alexander-Arnold and making it look seamless. Welcome to 21-year-old Conor Bradley’s world. The Northern Irishman has been thrown in the deep end by new boss Arne Slot after getting his first taste of senior football under Jurgen Klopp last term.
Dynamic, able to play further afield while ensuring his defensive duties are fulfilled, the 2003-born right-back certainly has a bright future ahead of him, irrespective of what the aforementioned Englishman’s future holds. What Bradley has shown in his limited minutes is that he’s capable, both physically and technically, of playing at the highest level. Just ask Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.
Conor Bradley – Senior career so far
2021-
Liverpool
2022-23
Bolton (loan)
19 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.
centre-backs
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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. Yoro looked set to partner Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt in the Red Devils’ three-man back-line, replacing compatriot Raphael Varane, but was sidelined for three months after sustaining a foot injury in pre-season.
Leny Yoro – Senior career so far
2022-2024
LOSC Lille
2024-
Manchester United
18 Rico Lewis | England, Age 20
Position: Defender. Club: Manchester City. DOB: 21/11/2004.
Manchester City’s Rico Lewis enjoyed a breakthrough season during the 2022-23 campaign and has already been handed several opportunities to impress. To be a regular in Pep Guardiola’s talent-laden side, you must have something special about you. A defender by trade, the Spaniard’s blueprint often leads Lewis to move infield to perform the inverted full-back role.
The youngster made his England senior debut in November 2023, a day before his 19th birthday. Lewis featured over 15 times in the league last season and even scored his first senior goal in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace back in December. It’s fair to say that the sky’s the limit for the defender, who is already regarded as one of the best English teenagers in the sport.
Rico Lewis – Senior career so far
2022-
Manchester City
17 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 made a further six appearances under Mikel Arteta. His most notable performance came in the Champions League, with a stellar showing against Monaco as Arsenal ran riot over their French opponents. Despite his age, Lewis-Skelly showed no signs of feeling the pressure of the occasion in football’s greatest club competition and that bodes well for his future.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – Senior career so far
2024-
Arsenal
16 Ethan Nwaneri | England, Age 17
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 17-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 15 Premier League games so far this term, he has three beautifully struck goals to his name.
Ethan Nwaneri – Senior career so far
2022-
Arsenal
15 Marc Casado | Spain, Age 21
Position: Midfielder. Club: Barcelona. DOB: 14/09/2003.
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 midield, 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
14 Alejandro Garnacho | Argentina, Age 20
Position: Winger. Club: Manchester United. DOB: 01/07/2004.
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho is currently in the process of taking his game to the next level with Manchester United. The Madrid-born winger, who has represented Argentina’s senior national team on eight occasions, scored one of the greatest goals in Premier League history during the 2023-24 campaign: a mind-blowing overhead kick against Everton which deservedly earned him November’s Goal of the Month award.
Garnacho’s direct dribbling style and fearless nature has made him a firm fan favourite already at Old Trafford. There are a couple of areas of his game that require fine-tuning, but the 20-year-old has the potential to become one of the world’s best wingers if everything clicks, and now with Amad Diallo out for the season, he will see his minutes go back up again.
Alejandro Garnacho – Senior career so far
2022-
Manchester United
Arsenal academy star Ethan Nwaneri clapping after Brentford game
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13 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-
Benfica
12 Gavi | Spain, Age 20
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 20-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-
Barcelona
11 Kobbie Mainoo | England, Age 19
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 in the past 12 months 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 is soon to turn 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 in recent weeks as his ranking has taken a hit as a result. Previously, he was recognised among the top five at the start of the season.
Kobbie Mainoo – Senior career so far
2022-
Manchester United
10 Benjamin Sesko | Slovenia, Age 21
Position: Striker. Club: RB Leipzig. DOB: 31/05/2023.
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in action
Benjamin Sesko idolises Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and it’s easy to see why. Like the Swede, he is an all-round striker: he’s quick, he boasts a powerful frame and is adept in front of goal with both his feet and his head. To put it simply, Sesko has all the traits to become one of the very best strikers in the world.
The Slovenian, who is closing in on 100 goals in professional football, has already established himself as a key player for both club and country. In recent times, he has drawn interest from clubs including Arsenal and, even though he decided to stay at RB Leizpig and extend his contract until 2029, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make the step up to one of Europe’s best clubs soon.
Benjamin Sesko – Senior career so far
2019-2023
Red Bull Salzburg
2019-2021
FC Liefering (loan)
2023-present
Red Bull Leipzig
9 Warren Zaire-Emery | France, Age 18
Position: Midfielder. Club: Paris Saint-Germain. DOB: 08/03/2006.
It says a lot that 18-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 showcase 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-
Paris Saint-Germain
8 Arda Guler | Turkey, Age 19
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 19-year-old who has only played 26 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 did catch 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-
Real Madrid
7 Endrick | Brazil, Age 18
Position: Striker. Club: Real Madrid. DOB: 21/07/2006.
Endrick may only be 18 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. Los Blancos are expected to pay up to £50 million in total for the wonderkid.
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 this summer. The young superstar even scored his first two international goals against England and Spain.
Endrick – Senior career so far
2022-2024
Palmeiras
2024-
Real Madrid
6 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-
Barcelona
