In conclusion, football fans around the world have been greatly influenced by a large number of youths.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Leny Yoro, two Premier League players, are listed among the top 20 adolescent talents in the world at the moment.
Barcelona is home to two of the top teens in the world: Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal.
“Out with the old, in with the new” is a well-known saying. And it is encouraging for the football community, particularly in light of the large number of gifted young players who are either already dominating the game or are patiently waiting for their chance at senior action. Teens frequently provide a new dimension of potential to a squad because of their unwavering work ethic, gut-wrenching attitude, and propensity to seize every chance with all of their might—qualities that more seasoned senior players frequently lack.
However, not all academy prospects are given that opportunity since, ultimately, football is a business, and while it may be gratifying for a young player to be promoted to senior action, the greatest players—regardless of age—tend to gain playing time. That is all there is to it.
Nevertheless, a number of adolescent sensations are currently making their mark in the Premier League and other parts of the world. These include attackers who simply have a knack for scoring goals, midfielders who are wise beyond their years, and ever-flourishing defenders. In order to honour their skill, GIVEMESPORT has compiled a list of the top 20 teenage football players in the world, arranged chronologically.
The Greatest Teens in Football Right Now
Rank
The player
Nation + Team
Age
1.
Yamal Lamine
Spain + Barcelona
17
2.
Cubarsi Pau
Spain + Barcelona
18
3.
Zaire-Emery Warren
France + Paris Saint-Germain
18
4.
Endrick
Brazil + Real Madrid
18
5.
Guler Arda
Turkey + Real Madrid
19.
6.
Mainoo Kobbie
England + Manchester United
19.
7.
Lewis-Skelly, Myles
England + Arsenal
18
8.
Desire Doue
France + Paris Saint-Germain
19.
9.
Hato Jorrel
Netherlands + Ajax
18
10.
Nwaneri Ethan
England + Arsenal
17
11.
Dibling, Tyler
England + Southampton
18
12.
Yoro Leny
France + Manchester United
19.
13.
Paez Kendry
Ecuador + Independence
17
14.
Estevao Willian
Brazil + Palmeiras
17
15.
Roque Vitor
Brazil + Real Betis
19.
16.
Yildiz Kenan
Turkey + Juventus
19.
17.
Grey, Archie
England + Tottenham Hotspur
18
18.
Tel Mathys
France + Bayern Munich
19.
19.
Nusa, Antonio
Norway + RB Leipzig
19.
20.
Echeverri, Claudio
Argentina + River Plate
19.
1 Lamine Yamal Spain and Barcelona
It’s no small accomplishment to be produced by the same academy system that created Lionel Messi’s genius, which all football fans are familiar with and admire. The best football players would crack under the pressure, especially at the age of 17, but Yamal is immune. He has adapted to senior life at Blaugrana with ease.
The 16-year-old sensation played in 50 games for Barcelona the previous season, and his 17 goal total was an incredible return. Opponents now find his narrative to be amazing, but if he keeps going in this stratospheric direction, that won’t be the case for long.
Following an outstanding performance at Euro 2024, Yamal also broke a 66-year record that had been held by none other than Pele. Generational. Yamal is now the youngest player to score at a European Championship, the youngest player to appear at a European Championship, and the youngest player to ever start a major international tournament final.
Lamine Yamal: Statistics for 2024–2025
Games
29
Minutes
2,330
Objectives
10.
Helps
15.
1
2Pau Cubarsi
Barcelona and Spain
In the centre of Barcelona’s defence, 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi, who is 16 years Inigo Martinez’s junior, has emerged as his partner in crime. At only six feet tall, the child’s contemporary appearance positions him as a long-term choice for La Masia, both today and in the future.
Few players can perform at the level he can, making him an outstanding ball passer as well. Because of his age, he also has a certain freshness that allows him to keep up with some of La Liga’s speedsters. This is a priceless quirk that elevates him beyond his positional counterparts of a similar age.
Pau Cubarsi: Statistics for 2024–2025
Games
34
Minutes
2,650
Objectives
0
Helps
2.
3 Emery Warren Zaire
France and Paris Saint-Germain
The Italian’s departure in September 2023 has gone mostly undetected as Warren Zaire-Emery replaces Marco Verratti, who is leaving in a very identical fashion. The 18-year-old waltzed into the middle of the park and hasn’t looked out of place in a side that is supported by players with incredible price tags and a tonne of elite-level experience.
The significance of Zaire-Emery in the Paris-based team exemplifies a changing of the guard since, despite just being old enough to purchase a pint in most countries, he is a powerful figure. This embodies the adage “old head on young shoulders.” He is more adept at controlling games than some of the most seasoned midfielders in Europe. It will be difficult for PSG to hold onto it for much longer than this season, and it will be a frightening time for those in the French top flight.
Warren Zaire-Emery: Statistics for 2024–2025
Games
29
Minutes
2,078
Objectives
3.
Helps
One
4 Brazil and Endrick Real Madrid
Against England, Endrick made a big splash on the international scene. It is not surprising that Real Madrid signed him so early in his career after the young player, who is only 18 years old, scored the game’s lone goal with a cute finish. Game time has been limited since signing with Los Blancos, but the dazzling Brazilian has many more years to go and is being courted as “one for the future.”
Endrick, who was born in 2006, truly has the world at his fingertips. Although he has already solidified his place in Palmeiras legend, his career is on track to soar to possibly unprecedented heights since moving to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer. The 13-cap, three-goal international is undoubtedly one of the most exciting prospects in world football and has the potential to catch up to Brazil’s greatest players. Keep an eye on this area.
Endrick: Statistics for 2024–2025
Games
21
Minutes
318
Objectives
4.
Helps
One
5. Arda Guler
Turkey and Real Madrid
Arda Guler burst into life at EURO 2024 after spending a large portion of the previous season gradually integrating into Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team plans at Real Madrid. Before becoming the centre of an assault that propelled The Crescent-Stars to an unexpected position in the quarterfinals, the Turkish star stunned the tournament with a spectacular strike against Georgia in the group stages.
A major aspect of Turkey’s summer adventure was the 19-year-old’s impressive cardiovascular endurance. As he chased the ball down with unquenchable thirst, the former Fenerbahce winger/attacking midfielder demonstrated that, should he translate his international performances into club form, he could contribute to all aspects of Los Blancos’ future performances.
Arda Guler: Statistics for 2024–2025
Games
26
Minutes
891
Objectives
3.
Helps
5.
6 England and Manchester United’s Bobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo, who is only 19 years old, has become one of Manchester United’s most vital players. He frequently tutors Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, two more seasoned players. Gareth Southgate immediately noticed his consistency in the engine room and gave him his senior England debut during the Three Lions’ 1-0 loss to Brazil. He then started alongside Declan Rice during the EURO 2024 knockout stages.
The Stockport-born star has been a step above the rest in midfield, controlling games and keeping things simple despite being thrown in at the deep end, especially during a season of massive transition at Old Trafford. The calm and collected Mainoo is destined to become a club legend in the years to come. His small frame makes him deceptively strong, but even though the 2024–25 season hasn’t yet produced any results for the maestro, what we’ve seen is undoubtedly just the beginning.
Kobbie Mainoo: Statistics for 2024–2025
Games
24
Minutes
1,591
Objectives
One
Helps
One
7Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal and England
Arsenal has historically struggled at left-back, but with Myles Lewis-Skelly’s rise this season, it looks like those problems are over. The adolescent has made a big impression at the club and is already displaying maturity and poise well beyond his years.
Despite his age, he rarely looks out of his depth, and his ability to drive forward has given his opponents difficulties this season. Lewis-Skelly’s masterclass against Manchester City highlighted his stellar season thus far, and if he keeps improving at his current rate, the Gunners will have another big star on their hands.
Statistics for Myles Lewis-Skelly for 2024–2025
Games
22
Minutes
1,173
Objectives
One
Helps
One
8 Desire Doue France and Paris Saint-Germain
People like Desire Doue are becoming extinct in a world where technically talented people and tricksters are marginalised. A winger from Anger who joined PSG in the summer, he makes up for his lack of goal contributions with frequent bursts of genius that frequently leave opponents perplexed, in the dust, and unable to stop him.
Comparable to none other than Ronaldinho, who is unquestionably one of the most entertaining football players to have ever set foot on the pitch, the bright-eyed 19-year-old has everything it takes to emerge as France’s next big star, especially considering his ability to work hard both in and out of possession.
Desire Doue: Statistics for 2024–2025
Games
27
Minutes
1,296
Objectives
3.
Helps
7.
9 Ajax, Netherlands, and Jorrel Hato
Ajax didn’t necessarily have a fantastic season in 2023–2024; the Dutch team wasn’t at all at their best the previous season, and at one point in the campaign, relegation appeared quite real. However, they made some progress and ended up fifth in the league. Although it’s still not terrific, Jorrel Hato’s rise to prominence as a frequent participant in senior processes at the capital outfit is a significant plus.
The 18-year-old made 46 appearances for his squad during the previous season and has adapted to playing in the first team with ease. He should be a vital member of Ajax for many years to come because he is already displaying maturity well beyond his years. Or, as is typically the case, until one of the top teams in Europe finally knocks on his door and signs him in a high-profile deal.
Jorrel Hato: Statistics for 2024–2025
Games
33
Minutes
2,759
Objectives
3.
Helps
5.
10Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal and England
Ethan Nwaneri is the second significant breakthrough at the Emirates this season. The forward has more than made the most of his opportunities since Arsenal supporters began demanding that he be given more chances in the starting lineup. With Nwaneri, Mikel Arteta is dealing with an extremely gifted young man.
As he continues to grow into a top-tier football player, the 17-year-old may be the ideal contender for the position. He has already scored seven goals for the Gunners in 22 appearances across all competitions this season, and the team needs a prolific goalscorer to lead the front lines.
Ethan Nwaneri: Statistics for 2024–2025
Games
22
Minutes
647
Objectives
7.
Helps
0
11–20
Leny Yoro and Tyler Dibling just missed the top ten. Despite their youth, the Premier League duo has made an impression this season. Given the abundance of quality in the football world right now, Barcelona’s Vitor Roque, who is presently on loan at Real Betis, must settle for 15th place, while Kendry Paez and Willian Estevao, who will also soon be in the English top division, follow suit in 13th and 14th place.
In addition to producing the goods for his country, Turkey, Kenan Yildiz has been a revelation for the Old Lady this season. The same is true with Archie Grey, a versatile player who earned his high-profile summer transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.
The last three players in the top 20 are Mathys Tel of Bayern Munich, Antonio Nusa of Norway, and Claudio Echeverri, 19, all of whom are very expected to have good futures.
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