20 Teenagers Tipped For Greatness in Football

Top 20 teenagers tipped for greatness in the football world.

The ever-evolving landscape of football can not get enough of a new generation of talent that is continually emerging, casting a radiant glow upon the beautiful game we cherish.

With each graceful touch, audacious dribble, and precise pass, these young stars illuminate the pitch, captivating audiences worldwide with their raw talent and boundless potential.

From the bustling streets of Sao Paulo in Brazil, where the Ronaldos of this world had emerged to the pristine academies of Ajax in Amsterdam, where the great Johan Cruyff hailed from, they continue to hatch in their rising numbers.

The journey of these prodigies is as diverse as the skills they possess. With a hunger for success and a thirst for greatness, they stand poised to carve their names into the annals of football history.

It is unbelievable the age of some of these youngsters with the wealth of qualities they possess. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Pedri, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and several others have gone past the teenager cap, despite still in the midst.

Long gone are the days when a player has to hit their mid 20s before being considered for selection at the national team level.

Martin Ødegaard made his international debut as a 15-year-old in 2014 but back then, it was a once in a blue moon something. These days, many teenagers are being integrated into senior national teams.

Some of the latest are 18-year-old Warren, 16-year-old Kendry Paez, Pablo Gavi, Lamine Yamal, and even more recently Endrick, Pau Cubarsi and Kobbie Mainoo.

In this article, we take a look at 20 teenagers of the hundreds threatening to pick up the mantle in the world of football.

Top 20 Teenagers In Football

1. Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Warren Zaire-Emery was only 16 when he debuted and became PSG’s youngest goalscorer. He went on to become the youngest to debut for France, also scoring on debut.

In the UEFA Champions League, he became the youngest French goalscorer following his goal in Dortmund in December, one that helped PSG reach the round of 16.

An elegant midfielder with a decent physique and remarkable technical abilities, Zaïre-Emery is both good at winning the ball and launching the plays, providing structure to its team plays, giving balance to the midfield.

A gem for both club and the French national team and one of our 20 teenagers billed for the top.

2. Endrick (Real Madrid – on loan at Palmeiras)

Real Madrid have secured themselves a great prospect in Endrick. Still only 17 and has made a great impact with Palmeiras in Brazil and the continent of South America.

Endrick has already been involved with the first team since he was 15 and has won a couple of silverwares, making impression to become one of the best of his era, hence his inclusion in our 20 teenagers list.

He has already been involved with the Brazilian national team, the most reputable football nation in the world and recently scored his maiden international goal to help Brazil beat England 1-0 in Wembley during the weekend, becoming the fourth youngest to score for Brazil national team and the youngest since Ronaldo in 1994.

3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Both Barcelona and Lamine Yamal are very lucky for the timing of his emergency as he is a player they can look to as the heir to Lionel Messi’s throne. It could have been a different story had he come at the time the Argentine was still at the club.

Yamal is pure talent. His body positioning with the ball at his feet is particularly impressive. He drives the ball with his head up, assessing options and what is happening around him, which aids his decision-making and team play.

Also, a talented solo runner on the ball, never intimidated by the opponent. He can dictate games well from the flank surely deserving of his place in our 20 teenagers.

He doesn’t turn 17 until later in the year and has already made himself a first team regular in five times European champion, Barcelona, while he is also a member of Spain’s national team.

4. Arda Guler (Real Madrid)

Barcelona did all they could to prevent the Turk from signing for Real Madrid as they well understood the prospect of losing one of the stars of the future to an arch rival.

Guler joined Real Madrid in the end, and albeit it hasn’t been plain sailing for him in Spain, there is no real cause for alarm because the talent is there, and so is the time.

The 19-year-old burst onto the scenes with his artistic display for Turkish club Fenerbahçe, where he made his first team bow as a 16-year-old. He would go on to star and fetch the club 20 million euros with the possibility of more in the future, following his move to Real.

An attacking midfielder by trade with a good contribution defensively despite his physique. Guler also doubles as a wing player, and his skillset makes him a standout talent.

He has ferocious left-foot and can hit the ball frol distance. A creative player and man can he dribble. Very quick and progressive with the ball.

Guler is also a member of the Turkish national team and scored his first international goal in sensational fashion against Wales in June 2023

5. Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)

Hailed from the Academy of Rennes, where he made his mark and went on to thrive with France youth teams.

A 17-year-old Tel joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022 for a reported fee of around 30 million euros. It was there in Germany that he scored his first professional goal.

Albeit playing time has been minimal, he continues to show up whenever called upon, racking up 18 goal involvements in 61 games for the Bavarians, many of which he featured as a substitute.

Now 18, Tel represents a promising future for Bayern Munich, while he could also star for France if he continues to maintain his development.

6. Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)

Not many will stand out as much as Kobbie Mainoo is doing in a chaotic Manchester United team that continues to fail in its quest to return to the good old days.

Since his senior debut in November last year, he has been the most consistent player at the club, anchoring the middle of the park even against the best teams in the Premier League. He is into our 20 teenagers list.

The 18-year-old can play as a six or eight. A real fighter that doesn’t joke with duels. Mainoo is a bright star for Man United and an exciting talent for the world football.R

Recently called up to the England national team as a reward for his irresistible displays, where he debuted against Brazil, fulfilling part of the greatness that lies ahead for his tendency to become one of the best of his generation.

7. Vitor Roque (Barcelona)

Recently brought to Europe by Barcelona, Vitor Roque had a successful stint and Athletico Paranaense, a club he joined from his boyhood club, Cruzeiro, in 2022.

He scored 28 goals and registered nine assists for Athletico before moving to Europe, where he now has two goals in eleven games across all competitions for the Blaugrana.

Though Vitor Roque is a striker, he can also play in all other attacking positions just like every other attacker from Brazil these days. He is the second Brazilian in our 20 teenagers list, after Endrick.

“There is a great similarity, both Luis Suarez and I use a lot of physicality in the way we play, and we also have points in common in finishing, being very keen on scoring goals,” the 19-year-old said when told Barcelona sees him as the Brazil version of Luis Suarez.

Truly, there are lots of similarities, and Barcelona will hope would go on to have a similar career as their former Uruguayan talisman.

8. Leny Yoro (Lille)

Real Madrid are increasingly becoming restless to lure Leny Yoro to Spain this summer, and that sums up how massive the impact of the 18-year-old is since he broke into the Lille first team.

First center back in our 20 teenagers list, Yoro is an ideal profile of what a center back looks like. He stands 6’2” and his long legs, frame, pace, and overall physique make him a special specimen.

His understanding of the game at such a young age makes him even more special, and he is expected to become one of the products of the clubs Academy to follow the footsteps of Eden Hazard and others to the top of the game.

In an emerging generation of French center back that already has the likes of William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate, Joules Kounde and so many others, Yoro is yet to make his senior debut for the national team but one thing is sure, ‘his time will come.’

9. Jorrel Hato (Ajax)

Amidst the struggles of Ajax, emerged another exciting talent from their famous academy, which had been graced by Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and other top players.

Jorrel Hato is one of the top center backs to emerge of recent, and despite this, he has been linked with a host of top teams, which prompted Ajax to tie him to a new contract.

Hato is a kind of defender who loves to close up on the attacker in wide areas. Aided by his pace, he is able to spring off the turf and match forwards running inside or towards the byline.

His mentality is also elite for an 18-year-old, a character which saw him captained Ajax and become the youngest captain of a Dutch side in a European match in history back in December against AEK Athens in Amsterdam.

Hato has also been rewarded with senior debut with the Dutch national team and registered an assist in that match, a 6-0 win over Gibraltar last November and is one of the few center back in our 20 teenagers list.

10. Joao Neves (Benfica)

Joao Neves has emerged as one of the best young midfielders around, and the next couple of years could see him play for any of the top clubs in elite leagues.

Credited for his highly developed mentality for a 19-year-old, he is a very agile, tiredness, and technically endowed player.

Passing, winning possession, control, and breaking up play, he has them all in his locker. His positional discipline is also a quality that makes him stand out for a player of his age.

The future holds so much promise for this lad, who takes a deserved place in our 20 teenagers list.

11. Lewis Miley (Newcastle United)

17-year-old Lewis Miley has proven himself deserving of a chance with the Magpies’ first team, even with the club having the financial capability of bringing anyone to the Saint James’ Park.

Much has been said about the midfielder before his first team bow as followers of Newcastle United Academy could not get enough of his brilliance, and he has not disappointed when given the chance.

He became Newcastle’s youngest goalscorer in the Premier League when he bagged his first senior goal in a 3-0 win over Fulham in December 2023.

Before that, Miley stared for United in a couple of UEFA Champions League games against AC Milan and PSG Paris Saint-German, where he also added an assist against the former.

Miley is also skilled at reading the game and making intelligent decisions, whether it’s in defense or attack. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively makes him a valuable asset to any team.

12. Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)

It is appearing that Turkey’s golden generation is about to unfold with the crop of players emerging and those in their prime already.

Kenan Yildiz is one of them. The 18-year-old has been a star for Juventus this season, creating the spark in a fading attack that lacks creativity.

A right-footed attacking midfielder who loves to operate in the left half-space. Yildiz is excellent at receiving the ball on the half-turn, which is a highly important skill for a high-end playmaker.

Scored on his first national team, he started to justify his selection by Vincenzo Montella in an impressive 3-2 win over Germany in October.

13. Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City – loan at River Plate)

Though with little first team experience, Claudio Echeverri made a name for himself in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup late last year, where he helped Argentina to a fourth place finish.

The highlight of his outing was a hat-trick performance against Brazil in the quarter finals. He was signed by Manchester City for around 14 million euros on a contract until 2028.

Echeverri is known for his speed, vision, positioning, creativity, and dribbling, which has earned him the tag of one of the best young players in the world and one of our distinguished 20 teenagers.

Though his primary position is attacking midfield, playing behind the striker, he is a versatile player and can play in multiple attacking positions.

An exciting prospect for both Manchester City and Argentina as he would do well succeeding Kevin De Bruyne and maybe Lionel Messi.

14. Kendry Paez (Chelsea – on loan at Independiente del Valle)

Kendry Paez first hit the headlines when a video compilation of him wrecking havocs on opponents for Independiente del Valle youth team emerged on the internet late in 2022.

He went on to have a good outing for Ecuador in the FIFA U-20, where he was the youngest player in the tournament and made history by becoming the youngest goalscorer in history of the competition.

He was selected for international debut later in the year and became the youngest goalscorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers at the age of 16 years and 161 days.

An attacking midfielder with good dribbling skill, control, and drive. A similar profile is James Rodriguez, but Paez is more similar to Riyad Mahrez when running with the ball.

Paez doesn’t turn 17 until May and is already making a good impression for himself ahead of his arrival at Chelsea in 2025, when the world will see more of our reason for including him in our top 20 teenagers list.

15. Antonio Nusa (Club Brugge)

In September 2022, 16-year-old Antonio Nusa became the youngest player to score on their UEFA Champions League debut when he scored for Club Brugge in a 4-0 win over Porto. He is the only player from Belgium in our top 20 teenagers list.

A one-on-one specialist who thrives well on isolating a full-back in wide areas, taking on and beating them with his quick feet. He is a 2-way dribbler with an electric pace in his locker, so once he’s fooled his marker and sees an opening, he exploits it with his speed to create separation.

He can play on either wings, as he loves to cut inside on his favorite right foot while he also does well in sending dangerous crosses into the area for teammates to attack.

He has also found his way into the Norwegian national team and was close to securing a move to English Premier League side Brentford last summer, but for a failed medical.

16. Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)

One of the most difficult things for a young footballer is staring for the first team. And it becomes even more difficult when you hail from a top club like Barcelona.

Pau Cubarsi, at just 17 years of age is making the center back position at Barcelona his own since making his senior debut in a Copa del Rey round of 16 match few days after his birthday in January.

Despite the competitions, he has benefited from the fitness issues of competitors and is increasingly becoming the favorite to start week in and out. He is highly rated in our top 20 teenagers list.

Cubarsi has started in each of Barcelona’s last five games and picked up the player of the match award after keeping Victor Osimhen at bay in their UEFA Champions League second leg clash in the Camp Nou, earning the player of the match award at full-time.

With only 13 first team appearances, he has shown his class and that earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team for the March international friendlies, making his international debut in a 1-0 loss to Colombia on the 22nd of March.

17. Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)

Alejandro Garnacho is another Manchester United regular at the age of 19. Since his debut with the senior team in April 2022, the former Atletico Madrid Academy star has been a mainstay at the club.

An energetic forward, Garnacho has been praised for his speed and dribbling abilities, as well as his ability to create chances and get into the box.

He has registered 20 goal involvements across all competitions for the club, and has already made his international debut with Argentina national team, who desperately tied him down amidst pressure from Spain.

The Mancunian is one of the stars in our 20 teenagers list.

18. Gabriel Moscardo (PSG Paris Saint-German)

Gabriel Moscardo may only have 25 senior appearances to his name, all for Corinthians, but that was enough to convince Les Parisiens to shell out €20m on the 18-year-old in January. That was also enough to convince for a place in our top 20 teenagers list.

Following the agreement with Paris Saint-Germain, the defensive midfielder was immediately loaned back to Corinthians until June 2024.

Gabriel Moscardo possesses the attributes that are essential for the role. His reading of the game, ability to intercept passes, and shield the defense make him a crucial presence in maintaining the team’s structure.

He’s known for his tactical awareness and composure on the ball, which allows him to initiate attacks from the back and support the team’s buildup.

A promising talent and still only 18, once he arrives at PSG in the summer, the French league will behold one of the brightest prospects from Brazil.

19. Roony Bardghji (FC Copenhagen)

Number 19 in our top 20 teengers list is Bardghji, who was only 16 years and six days old in November 2021, when he made his senior debut having impressed with the Copenhagen youth team.

He became the club’s youngest goalscorer seven days after his debut and has since gone on to become a regular for the club, making over 70 appearances and scoring 15 goals across all competitions.

A left-footed winger that loves cutting inside on his favorite foot, Roony Bardghji can also be deployed as a No.10, orchestrating play with his deadly touches.

He became even more popular for scoring the winner in Copenhagen’s comeback win over Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League in November.

20. Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)

The world has been glimpse of the sensational attacking midfielder a couple of times with the Arsenal first team, and fans continue to plead with Mikel Arteta to give him more minutes.

Ethan Nwaneri is highly rated for his technical prowess, which includes passing, dribbling, control, and ability to thrive in tight spaces.

His lack of first team minutes is down to the fact that Arsenal takes every game as a final due to the nature of the competitions around them but even with their young squad, Nwaneri is tipped to star for the Gunners.

The English teenager celebrated his 17th birthday a few days back, and more of him must have been seen with the first team before his next birthday. Nwaneri will have more time to justify his inclusion in our top 20 teenagers list.

Hassan Afolabi