Here we discuss the top young footballers in the world right now who are starting to make a name for themselves on the big stage. With many now playing for a big club, there are some that are still going unnoticed to the general fans of the game. We go through different positions to get a good variety of players and let you know which players to look out for in the future.
Table of Contents
1) Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati is arguably one of the most exciting young footballers in the world at the moment. Playing first-team football for Barcelona who is considered European Giants. He has gone to become Barcelona’s youngest ever goalscorer, the Champions League’s youngest ever goalscorer and also Spain’s youngest ever goalscorer.
After only 18 months of senior football, he has gone to smash these records and made his first appearance at just the age of 16 years old. He is one of very few players that made it into the first team without representing the Barcelone B team.
There is a reason he is at the top of the list, with electrifying pace and unbelievable talent for such a young footballer. He has the confidence to go out on the pitch and produce wonderful skills and is considered the ideal modern winger. Ansu is being recognised for his talent and many have regarded him as the new era of Barcelona.
He continues to outperform the majority of the players at Barcelona including Messi at the beginning of the season. Now that is something that you never normally say to yourself, so what an achievement for the youngster. He already boasts a £367 million release clause which tells you how important he is to Barcelona right now. With many more years to come, he will be up there with the very best of the sport.
2) Eduardo Camavinga
If you haven’t heard of him by now then you should tune into Ligue 1 because he is an incredible young talent. It was in August 2019, when he put in an all-action display against Paris Saint-Germain which brought all eyes on him from all the big clubs.
His versatility is what makes him one of the hottest prospects in world football, he can play as a defensive midfielder and box-to-box. Camavinga continues to perform for his current club Rennes and has also received a cap for France.
Becoming the third-youngest player to ever receive a cap for France. Also becoming the second-youngest player to score for France just a month on from his first cap. Camavinga is also being considered for the Euro 2020 (to be played this Summer due to Covid-19). Deschamps (France Head Coach) has admitted that it may be difficult to deny him a place in his lineup.
All of the top clubs will be circling in on his amazing talent as he is destined to become one of the most expensive teenagers of all time. Real Madrid looks the most likely to secure his signature, bringing his name to the big stage and showcase his talent to the rest of the world.
3) Gio Reyna
You don’t normally see the U.S. produce many young talents but now they have two poster boys in the likes of Gio Reyna and Christian Pulisic. Gio Reyna is definitely trailing the footsteps of his patriot and in a few years is likely to surpass Pulisic as the top player for the U.S.
Reyna has made a better start to life at Borussia Dortmund than his national teammate did and is also now a key figure in the very youthful attacking lineup. He became the youngest goalscorer in DFB-Pokal history and has matched performances coming from Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho. Both of whom are sensational talents and wanted all over the world.
Reyna has proven himself on the big stages with big names and is being noticed by all the big clubs. Nicknames ‘The America Dream’ by his teammate Haaland. Reyna also made his national debut for the States in November 2020.
Gio has exceptional talent and is considered a player that truly has the gift of the ability to do it all. With many believing the sky is the limit for him if he continues to put in the work rate we are currently seeing. There is no doubt you will see him up there with the top forwards in world football very soon, just watch this space.
4) Pedri
Someone like Pedri needs no introduction, dubbed as the ‘new Iniesta’ by many. He has taking Barcelona by storm with them signing him for just £4m from the Segunda Division (Spanish Lower League). He is already being considered as the signing of the decade by the Spanish Media and there is no surprise.
Pedri was previously told by Real Madrid (Barcelona’s rivals) that he was not good enough to be part of their squad. How wrong they were because his link-up play with Messi has been eye-catching. To be playing on the same team as the best player in Barcelona history is a great example of why he is a top young footballer in the world.
Many actually believe that he could be the reason if Messi decides to stay at Camp Nou. With the youngster undoubtedly improving the team performance and improving the happiness of Messi. This is because Messi started to lose hope with Barcelona but with the signing of Pedri, it might just be enough to keep him there.
5) Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham is still such a young talent at just the age of 17 as he represents the first team of Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund beat Manchester United to the signing of Jude for a value of £23 million. Luckily they did because Jude became the youngest-ever goalscorer and is considered the most complete central midfielder.
When he left Birmingham many people are unaware of the fact that Birmingham made the decision to retire his number from the club. This just goes to show how good he really is, as this gesture is usually unheard of, especially for a young footballer. Jude Bellingham is well on his way to becoming the greatest player that Birmingham has ever produced at just the age of 17.
He also received his first cap in International football with England, becoming the third-youngest player to represent England. In fact, there is also a possibility that he will receive the call up to the European Championships this Summer. He is everywhere on the pitch and has the ability to defend and also score goals. Easily becoming one of the best young footballers England has seen.
6) Florian Wirtz
After the departure of Kai Havertz from Bayern Leverkusen, it meant that they were without their young talisman in the middle. With many believing, he would be a very difficult challenge to replace but I believe they have now found someone just as good. The 17 Yeard old is an attacking midfielder and has broken into the first team to break Havertz’s record for youngest ever player.
Florian’s former club, Koln, believe Florian to be the best player they have produced from their academy in the last 30 years. Inciting that he is a very special talent at such a young age. His comfortability in possession is what makes him an exciting young footballer, playing with maturity.
Wirtz was the first-ever player to reach 5 goals in the Bundesliga all before their 18th birthday. With his ongoing form, it has seen him receive a call up to the German squad and could find himself competing with Kai Havertz himself. These two players will be great competition for each other and will no doubt make them much better players in the next decade.
7) Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan has been considered an exceptional young footballer and often compared to some of the biggest stars like Paul Pogba. In all fairness, this isn’t too far off the mark once you watch him play for Ajax. Integrated into their first team and quickly becoming a reliable figure for them. So much so, he is being tipped to play for the Netherlands in the European Championships this Summer.
His output in each game has drastically improved in the last 18 months with his ability in the final third being the most improved. He even scored that stunning long-range goal in the Champions League. If you haven’t seen it, then I would suggest you check it out as you will not be disappointed.
Gravenberch is the youngest debutant in Ajax history taking over Clarence Seedorf who was a club legend at Ajax. All of the big clubs are looking to sign him with Manchester United, Juventus and Barcelona being tipped to make a move. However, there is no doubt other clubs will be swarming to get his signature first.
8) Jamal Musiala
The story began as a young player at Chelsea and whilst the battle between Bayern Munich and Chelsea to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi. Whilst this was going on there was also talks for Jamal to sign for Bayern Munich. He definitely made the right call in switching clubs as he continues to fly through the ranks at the German club.
He now holds the record for the youngest-ever player and goalscorer in Bundesliga history all within the space of 12 months. His consistent displays in the games are firmly putting him in the first-team picture. Jamal has also announced that he would be joining the German National team even though he represented England at the youth level.
Musiala has incredible talent and huge potential at such a young age that it could be a big loss for the England squad. His performances in Midfield have been mindblowing with Serge Gnabry describing his talent as “amazing”. There will definitely be more to come and already signed by a big club, I doubt he will be leaving anytime soon.
9) Rayan Cherki
Many believe that Rayan will one day be able to perform at the highest level and compete with the best forwards in football. The playmaker is regarded as an exceptional young footballer with many top players praising the Frenchman. He is the youngest player ever to appear in a Champions League knockout match.
This just goes to show the potential that Cherki has and if achieved there is no doubt we will see him performing on the big stage, with a top club. At just the age of 17, he will continue to improve so we expect big things from this youngster.
The top clubs that are currently interested in the 17-year-old include Manchester United and Real Madrid. If Madrid is interested then Rayan Cherki must be doing something right but there will definitely be more clubs after the young man.
10) Gabriel Veron
Not many people would have heard of Gabriel Veron but you definitely will soon enough. Named after an Argentinian legend, he is making a name for himself in Brazil for Palmeiras. Wanting to follow in the footsteps of Gabriel Jesus and join the Premier League with many suitors after his signature.
His potential is enormous, as an 18-year old winger he went on to win the Golden Ball award in the Under-17 World Cup. His dream of coming to the Premier League looks pending with both Manchester clubs interested and also Real Madrid.
Brazil is known for producing world-class strikers and there is no reason that Gabriel won’t be up there with the best of them. His promising displays for the Copa Libertadores winning team have put him as a key figure in the squad.
