25 Young Footballers Who Could Become Future Superstars
Carlos Baleba
The 25th spot on this list is occupied by Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, who has emerged as one of the best box-to-box players in the Premier League right now. The 21-year-old Cameroonian could become a superstar in the future, and has been linked with a future move to Manchester United in the next summer transfer window.
Adam Wharton
A Blackburn Rovers academy graduate, England international Adam Wharton made his senior debut for the club in 2022, following which he joined Crystal Palace in 2024, and went on to win the FA Cup this year, the Eagles' first major trophy. Wharton was also a part of the Three Lions squad that made it to the final of the 2024 Euros.
Alejandro Garnacho
An Argentinian prodigy who surprisingly idolizes Cristiano Ronaldo, 21-year-old Alejandro Garnacho has been one of the most talked about players over the past few years. Garnacho played for Manchester United from 2022 to 2025, but moved to Chelsea earlier this summer, after having fallen out of favor under Red Devils' manager Ruben Amorim.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
A versatile full-buck who can also play as a midfielder, Myles Lewis-Skelly was Arsenal's breakout star last season, having made over 35 appearances throughout the 2024-25 season. Lewis-Skelly has often been compared to the likes of Arturo Vidal and Michael Essien, both midfielders who were capable of imposing themselves in the game.
Ousmane Diomande
Ivorian center-back Ousmane Diomande occupies a spot on this list, having spent the last four seasons in the Portuguese first-division with the Primeira Liga giants. An Africa Cup of Nations winner with Ivory Coast in 2023, it is quite surprising that the 21-year-old has been pursued by any of the big clubs across Europe, despite his impressive stature.
Geovany Quenda
Having emerged through the reputed Sporting CP youth system, Geovany Quenda has established himself as one of the best wingers in Europe. The creative Guinea-Bissau born forward represents Portugal internationally, and is expected to join Premier League giants Chelsea in the summer of 2026, after having signed a pre-contract agreement.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is another Englishman to occupy a spot on this list, with t he 21-year-old having been a part of the Borussia Dortmund squad that made it to the final of UCL during the 2022-23 season. Gittens signed for EPL giants Chelsea this summer on a lucrative seven-year contract for a massive transfer fee worth £48.5 million.
Savinho
Brazilian winger Savinho rose to prominence during his stint with La Liga side Girona during the club's breakthrough 2023-24 season, when he scored 11 goals in 41 appearances. The 21-year-old then joined Manchester City the following season, but was linked with a move to Tottenham this summer, before the transfer deal fell off.
Kobbie Mainoo
A Manchester United academy graduate, Kobbie Mainoo made his first-team debut in an EFL Cup match in January 2023, and has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League right now. Mainoo has been compared to the likes of Netherlands legend Clarence Seedorf, but has seemingly fallen out of favor under manager Ruben Amorim.
Samu Aghehowa
Spanish centre-forward Samuel Omorodion Aghehowa was a part of the Spanish under-23 side that won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, before making his senior international debut later that year. A superb goal-scorer, he impressed for Porto during the 2024-25 Primeira Liga season, where he finished with 27 goals in 45 appearances.
Franco Mastantuono
A superb midfielder-turned-winger, Argentine Franco Mastantuono was chased by several European clubs during the 2025 summer transfer window, but Real Madrid secured his signature for a massive transfer fee worth €45 million. The 18-year-old ex-River Plate star has become a regular under Los Blancos manager Xabi Alonso, in the starting XI.
Aleksandar Pavlovic
A Bayern Munich academy youth product, Aleksandar Pavlovic won the Bundesliga title in his very second full-season with the German giants, notching up 63 appearances for the club so far. While having represented the Serbian under-18 side in his early playing days, Pavlovic was called up for the German senior squad in March 2024.
Warren Zaire-Emery
Frenchman Warren Zaire-Emery is among the very few players to have emerged out of the PSG academy, and was the club's youngest-ever player to have made his senior team debut at the age of 16. In just his third season with the Parisian giants, Zaire-Emery won a continental treble, including the Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UCL titles.
Ethan Nwaneri
Another football prodigy to have made his senior team debut at a young age, Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri was just 15 years old when he made an appearance in the English top-flight. He enjoyed a breakthrough 2024-25 season, finishing with nine goals in 37 appearances, while also having played for England across all the youth levels.
Leny Yoro
One of the most expensive center-backs in the history of football, French star Leny Yoro signed for Manchester United last summer for a fee worth €62 million, after having impressed during his stint with Lille. He was also named in the Ligue I Team of the Year during the 2023-24 season, and even made it to the UEL final with Man Utd in his first season.
Nico Paz
An Argentine midfield star, Nico Paz has emerged as one of the best number 10s in the Serie A, having spent the past two seasons of his playing career at Como. A 6 ft 1 player, Paz's brilliance with the ball could compel Real Madrid to activate its buy-back clause to bring the 21-year-old back to the Spanish capital.
Alejandro Balde
An Espanyol and Barcelona academy graduate, Spanish full-back Alejandro Balde has emerged as one of the best left-backs across the world right now, having filled in the heavy shoes of Jordi Alba at the Catalan club. Despite being only 21 years old currently, he has made 131 first-team appearances for FC Barcelona since 2021.
Arda Guler
Regarded as one of the best young players in the world right now for his play-making abilities, Real Madrid's Arda Guler has become a regular under head coach Xabi Alonso. He was a key member of Turkey's 2024 Euro campaign, guiding them to the quarter-finals, and has made 71 appearances for Real Madrid so far.
Estevao
A Brazilian prodigy, Estevao joined Premier League giants Chelsea for a deal worth €57 million from Palmeiras this summer, and has scored a goal and provided in assist in nine appearances for the Blues so far. The 18-year-old was named the Brazilian Serie A's Best Newcomer of the Year in 2024, and included in the Team of the Season as well.
Dean Huijsen
A 6 ft 5 in towering center-back, Spain's Dean Huijsen was the heart of Bournemouth's defense during the 2024-25 EPL season, alongside teammate Illya Zabarnyi. Having emerged through the ranks at Serie A sides Juventus and Roma, Huijsen now plays for Real Madrid, after having joined for a deal worth a massive €60 million this summer.
Kenan Yildiz
Another Turkish player to occupy a spot among the top ten is Juventus' Kenan Yildiz, who has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in European football over the past year. Having taken over Juventus' number 10 jersey ahead of the 2024-25 season, Yildiz has made 92 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals in total.
Joao Neves
One of the best midfielders in world football right now, Portuguese star Joao Neves is known for his versatility, as he can play as a central as well as a defensive midfielder, and occasionally as a right-back. At 21, he already has six major trophies to his name, including a UCL, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Primeira Liga and Nations League titles.
Pau Cubarsi
A La Masia prodigy, Pau Cubarsi is one of the best young defenders in the world right now, having become a regular at Barcelona as well as in the Spanish national team. Cubarsi has made over 87 appearances for the Catalan club, winning the La Liga and Copa del Rey titles at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Desire Doue
Known for his agility, pace and passing abilities, Desire Doue has quickly established himself as one of the best wingers in the world, after an impressive debut season at French side PSG. He was a part of the team's continental treble campaign last season, winning the Ligue 1, UCL and FIFA Club World Cup Best Young Player of the Year awards simultaneously.
Lamine Yamal
Often recognized as the best player in the world right now, Spain's prodigy and La Masia star Lamine Yamal finished as runners-up in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings, a unique achievement for an 18-year-old player. A two-time Kopa Trophy and one-time Golden Boy winner, Lamine Yamal is destined to become a star in the future.
