Modern football is brimming with young talent shaping the future of the sport. Stars like Jude Bellingham, Pedri, and Jamal Musiala prove that age is just a number. Let’s look at the top U-21 players making waves globally.
7. Kobbie Mainoo
- Age: 20
- Current Club: Manchester United
- Nationality: England
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Appearances: 82
- Trophies Won: 1x FA Cup, 1x League Cup
The Stockport-born midfielder made his debut for Manchester United in an EFL Cup game against Charlton aged 17. Mainoo earned his first full Premier League appearance away at Everton. He did more than merely impress, but put on a Man of the Match-worthy performance.
His performances for the club throughout the 23/24 campaign caught attention, and he soon found himself in England’s Euros squad. He became the youngest England player to feature in a semi-final at a major tournament.
6. Pau Cubarsí
- Age: 18
- Current Club: FC Barcelona
- Nationality: Spain
- Position: Centre-back
- Appearances: 86
- Trophies Won: 1x La Liga, 1x Copa del Rey, 1x Supercopa de España
Cubarsí’s rapid rise to one of the elite in modern football is seldom heard of. He made his La Liga debut against Real Betis in the 23/24 season, the day before he turned 17.
It’s not often that young defenders can silence veterans such as Victor Osimhen. Cubarsí did just that, and to top it off, this performance was on his Champions League debut, naming him player of the match.
5. Arda Güler
- Age: 20
- Current Club: Real Madrid
- Nationality: Turkey
- Position: Attacking Midfielder, Right Winger
- Appearances: 133
- Trophies Won: 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x La Liga, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Supercopa de España, 1x Turkish Cup
The heir to Luka Modric’s throne. It isn’t very often that Real Madrid sign wonderkids from the Süper Lig; however, Güler arrived with the tag “more potential than Messi.” Güler raised eyebrows during his time in Turkey with 21 g/a in 51 appearances, earning him a €30m move to Madrid.
4. Gavi
- Age: 20
- Current Club: FC Barcelona
- Nationality: Spain
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Appearances: 181
- Trophies Won: 1x Kopa Trophy, 1x Golden Boy, 2x La Liga, 1x UEFA Nations League, 1x Copa del Rey, 2x Supercopa de España
A pit bull in midfield. Despite his small physical features, his aggressive play style is his strength. The midfielder burst onto the scene in the 2021/22 season, making his debut at age 17.
His partnership, along with fellow Barcelona youngster Pedri, is shaping up to be one of the most exciting midfield pairings. Gavi even won the 2022 Kopa Trophy ahead of the likes of Bellingham, Saka, Musiala, and Wirtz.
3. João Neves
- Age: 20
- Current Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Nationality: Portugal
- Position: Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder
- Appearances: 150
- Trophies Won: 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x Ligue 1, 1x UEFA Nations League, 1x Coupe de France, 1x Liga Portugal, 1x Trophée des Champions.
João Neves has been a name football fans have been familiar with for over a year now. The young Portuguese midfielder just proved the hype by playing an integral role in PSG’s treble-winning season. There were several clubs eyeing to sign João Neves; it was PSG who beat the likes of Manchester United to his signature. He was signed for a whopping €60 million from Benfica.
The Portuguese star adds an excellent addition to Luis Enrique’s team. He’s excellent in possession and can operate as a No. 8 or a deep-lying playmaker. He helps dictate the rhythm of his team’s attack while producing outrageous defensive numbers.
2. Désiré Doué
- Age: 20
- Current Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Nationality: France
- Position: Right Winger, Left Winger
- Appearances: 140
- Trophies Won: 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x Ligue 1, 1x Coupe de France, 1x Trophée des Champions.
Impressive is an understatement to describe Doué’s debut season for the French giants. Signed from Rennes for a reported transfer fee of €50 million, PSG has made its money back in a year. Fans are running out of words of praise for this young phenom.
Dropping a man-of-the-match performance in a Champions League final as a 19 year old is seldom heard of. The similarities in playing style to his footballing idol, Neymar, are clear. Doué is a joy to watch every time he steps on the pitch and gets fans off their seats.
1. Lamine Yamal
- Age: 18
- Current Club: FC Barcelona
- Nationality: Spain
- Position: Right Winger, Left Winger
- Appearances: 127
- Trophies Won: 1x Kopa Trophy, 1x Golden Boy Award, 1x UEFA Euro, 2x La Liga, 1x Copa del Rey, 1x Supercopa de España.
Lamine Yamal is not only clearly the best young footballer in the world right now; he’s arguably one of the best across all age groups. The footballing world has not seen a talent as gifted since Lionel Messi first blessed the field. Yamal made his debut at only 15 years old and was handed his full debut in the early stages of the 2023/24 season.
Fast forward to the summer of 2024, and the 16-year-old carried the Spanish national team to European glory. The flashy winger has had an exceptional season with Barcelona and has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. He’s deemed to be Barcelona’s heir to Messi and will start the season with the iconic Blaugrana No. 10 shirt.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
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