25 Best Young Players in World Football (Ranked)

Just picture having to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and looking flawless. Welcome to the world of Conor Bradley, age 21. After seeing senior football for the first time under Jurgen Klopp last season, the Northern Irishman has been pushed into the deep end by new manager Arne Slot.

Regardless of what the future holds for the aforementioned Englishman, the 2003-born right-back has a bright career ahead of him because he is dynamic and can play farther afield while still fulfilling his defensive responsibilities. Bradley has demonstrated in his few minutes that he is technically and physically capable of playing at the highest level. Ask Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid.

Conor Bradley’s current senior career

2021:

Liverpool

2022–2023

Bolton (loan)

22
Leny Yoro, 19 years old, France
Defender is the position. Manchester United is the club. Date of birth: November 13, 2005.

Despite being connected to some of the best football teams in the world, such as Real Madrid and Liverpool, Manchester United emerged victorious in the competition to sign the young French defender. The 19-year-old attracted the attention of Europe’s top players during his first two seasons in Ligue 1.

During the 2023–24 season, Yoro participated in 44 games across all competitions and shown his flexibility by playing both defensive midfield and centre back. The Frenchman’s 6′ 2″ size helps him dominate in the air, but he also has exceptional skill with the ball at his feet for a player his height. After suffering a foot injury during preseason, Yoro missed three months of action. Yoro was supposed to replace compatriot Raphael Varane in the Red Devils’ three-man back-line alongside Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt.

So far in his senior career, Leny Yoro

2022–2024

Lille LOSC

2024:

United Manchester

21Rico Lewis | England, Age 20

Position: Defender. Club: Manchester City. DOB: 21/11/2004.

Rico Lewis of Manchester City had a breakthrough season in 2022–2023 and has already been given multiple chances to make an impression. There must be something unique about you if you want to be a regular in Pep Guardiola’s talented squad. Despite being a defender by trade, Lewis frequently moves infield to fill the inverted full-back position according to the Spaniard’s plan.

A day before turning 19, the young player made his England senior debut in November 2023. Lewis made more than 15 appearances in the league last season, and in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in December, he even scored his first goal as a senior. Since the defender is already considered to be among the top English kids in the sport, it’s safe to say that the possibilities are endless.

So far in his senior year, Rico Lewis

2022:

City of Manchester

20
Harvey Elliott, a 21-year-old midfielder from England. Liverpool is the club. Date of birth: April 4, 2003.

In the transfer window that followed Liverpool’s sixth Champions League victory in 2019, Harvey Elliott was acquired by the team. The young kid was converted by former Reds manager Klopp, who turned him from an explosive winger to a very talented and diligent midfield player.

The choice to give the Englishman a deeper role has been a wise one for his growth, even though he lacks the lightning-fast speed of other players to play on the wings. Elliott’s ability with the ball at his feet is demonstrated by his consistent playing time in a recently redesigned Liverpool midfield. He is a key asset off the bench when facing a low-sitting defence since he covers a lot of ground in the Reds’ high-pressing approach and is nearly unmatched by Arne Slot in his ability to pick out a pass to manufacture space for his team.

Harvey Elliott’s current senior career

2018–2019

Fulham

2019:

Liverpool

2020–2021

Rovers Blackburn (loan)

19.
20-year-old Alejandro Garnacho from Argentina
Role: Winger. Manchester United is the club. Date of birth: July 1, 2004.

Alejandro Garnacho is now working with Manchester United to try to improve his game, despite some dubious performances this season. During the 2023–24 season, the Madrid-born winger, who has made eight appearances for Argentina’s senior national team, scored one of the best goals in Premier League history with an incredible overhead kick against Everton, earning him the Goal of the Month title in November.

Garnacho has already established himself as a fan favourite at Old Trafford because to his aggressive dribbling technique and fearless demeanour. The 20-year-old needs to improve in a few areas of his game, but if everything works out, he may rank among the top wingers in the world.

Alejandro Garnacho’s current senior career

2022:

United Manchester

18
Marc Casado, 21 years old, midfielder, Spain. Barcelona is the club. Birthdate: September 14, 2003.

With his outstanding performances under Hansi Flick, Marc Casado, the most recent in a long series of technically talented Spanish midfielders to be created at Camp Nou, is beginning to draw attention. The Barcelona midfield is highly competitive, but don’t be shocked if the 21-year-old secures a berth on a regular basis in the years to come.

Similar to Xavi and Sergio Busquets, Casado is one of the calmest players on the pitch when he has the ball and has the cunning to find a spot anywhere on the pitch. With the addition of this midfield jewel, La Masia has once again struck gold.

Marc Casado’s current senior career

2022–2024

Barcelona B

2022–Today

Barcelona

17 Ethan Nwaneri, 18 years old, England
Position: Winger or striker. Arsenal is the club. Date of birth: March 21, 2007.

Like a phoenix emerging from the ashes, Ethan Nwaneri has filled the hole left by Gabriel Martinelli’s and Bukayo Saka’s chronic ailments. The 18-year-old would never have believed anyone if they had said that he would be a key member of Arsenal’s 2024–2025 squad.

However, the youthful star in the Gunners’ offensive third appears to be the best player at the moment. The teenage sensation, who is just as good with his right foot as his left, makes things happen. While opponents for his position frequently lack one skill, such as making decisions or being able to consistently contribute goals to his solo runs, Nwaneri shows that he may have it all. He’s already scored three exquisite goals in 19 Premier League appearances this season.

So far in his senior career, Ethan Nwaneri

2022:

The Arsenal

16 Bobbie Mainoo, 19 years old, England
The midfielder position. Manchester United is the club. Date of birth: April 19, 2005.

In the last 12 months, Kobbie Mainoo made his debut with Manchester United, and his astonishingly mature performances won over both fans and commentators. Mainoo has seized the chance to shine, something that many young players find difficult when they are assigned to a team that isn’t performing at their best.

The centre midfielder, who turns 20 in April, has pushed his way into the England first squad by starting many Euro 2024 knockout matches for the Three Lions and appearing at ease. Although his form has somewhat declined this season, Mainoo has consistently delivered in the Premier League as he seeks to turn that dream become a reality. Even the possibility that he will leave Old Trafford is being discussed.

Kobbie Mainoo’s current senior career

2022:

United Manchester

15 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly from England
Defender is the position. Arsenal is the club. Date of birth: September 26, 2006

Myles Lewis-Skelly is one of several outstanding young players who have just joined Arsenal. The Englishman, who can play defensive midfield or left-back, has been playing mostly on the left side of defence and has had a very successful senior career debut thus far.

The 18-year-old made his debut for the Gunners in September 2024, playing off the bench in the team’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester City. Since then, he has made many appearances under Mikel Arteta. Thomas Tuchel has also taken notice of the young player, and in March 2025, he scored the first goal of the new England manager’s reign against Albania. A superb talent’s ideal international debut.

So far, Myles Lewis-Skelly’s senior career

2024:

The Arsenal

14 Joao Neves, age 20, Portugal
The midfielder position. PSG is the club. Date of birth: September 27, 2004.

For more than a year, Joao Neves has been hailed as a potential star because top clubs in Europe are apparently interested in the midfield lynchpin. In the summer, Paris Saint-Germain outbid teams like Manchester United to sign the sophisticated midfield player.

Given the wide range of skill available to Roberto Martinez in the engine room, it is remarkable that he played for Portugal at Euro 2024. The 20-year-old’s ability to get down and win the ball back and his excellent pass-making skills have made him stand out for his team in both home and continental games.

Joao Neves’s current senior career

2022:

Benfica

13 Gavi | Spain, 20 years old, midfielder. Barcelona is the club. Date of birth: May 8, 2004.

Along with a few other players, Gavi is regarded as the future of Spanish football. The young midfield player possesses all the abilities needed to succeed and remain there for a number of years. The 20-year-old’s tenacity is unmatched despite his diminutive stature, and he more than holds his own in midfield against players who are considerably bigger than him.

The 17-year-old midfielder, who had previously won the coveted Kopa Trophy, made his La Liga debut in August 2021. His performance was outstanding until two years later, when Lamine Yamal eclipsed him. The way the young player has opponents chasing ghosts in a last-ditch effort to gain control from him betrays a confidence that verges on arrogance. Gavi will play in the Barcelona midfield for at least the next ten years because the team was able to sign him to a new deal.

Gavi’s senior year to date

2021

Barcelona B

2021:

Barcelona

12 19-year-old Kenan Yildiz from Turkey
Role: Winger. Juventus is the club. Date of birth: April 5, 2005.

To wear Juventus’ number 10 shirt, you must be a unique player. To be given Juventus’ number 10 shirt as a teenager, however, requires exceptional quality. After pledging his future to the Old Lady in 2024, 19-year-old Kenan Yildiz, who was born in Germany but has already earned 19 caps for Turkey’s national team, took the No. 10 shirt.

The Juventus number ten? The adolescent remarked, “You have two sides of the coin to have a number like that.” “That is an extremely heavy number. Along with your pride and confidence, you also have a side where you need to do something for the people who bestowed that honour upon you. Playing with it was enjoyable since it gives you confidence that you can accomplish anything on the pitch, you know?

Kenan Yildiz’s current senior career

2023:

Juventus

11 Slovenian Benjamin Sesko, age 21
Role: Attacker. RB Leipzig is the club. Date of birth: May 31, 2023.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a hero to Benjamin Sesko, and it’s understandable why. Similar to the Swede, he is a versatile striker who is swift, strong, and skilled with both his feet and head in front of goal. Sesko simply possesses all the qualities necessary to rank among the world’s top attackers.

The Slovenian, who is getting close to reaching 100 goals in his professional career, has already made a name for himself as a vital member of the team and his nation. Even if he chose to remain at RB Leizpig and extend his contract until 2029, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him move up to one of Europe’s top clubs soon given the interest he has had recently from teams like Arsenal.

Benjamin Sesko’s current senior career

2019–2023

Salzburg Red Bull

2019–2021

FC Supplying (loan)

2023–present

Leipzig Red Bull

10.
18-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery from France
The midfielder position. Paris Saint-Germain is the club. Birthdate: August 3, 2006.

The fact that Warren Zaire-Emery, an 18-year-old midfielder, has already established himself in Paris Saint-Germain’s senior squad and is among the first players included on the team sheet for the 2023–24 season speaks volumes. It takes a lot of faith on the part of manager Luis Enrique to put such a young player at the centre of the club’s objectives, especially considering all the money that has been spent on creating a team that can contend for the Champions League.

With the poise of a seasoned veteran and the running ability of a top athlete, Zaire-Emery appears to be a mature and experienced player in the middle of the park. His ability to dominate games from the middle of the park and bring the ball forward shows promising prospects for the future, as the French midfielder may be the mainstay of the PSG squad for the next fifteen years.

So far in his senior career, Warren Zaire-Emery

2022:

Saint-Germain, Paris