NXGN 2025: The 50 best teenage wonderkids in football

Manchester United's record when it comes to signing strikers in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era isn't exactly anything to write home about, but there is hope that their capture of Chido Obi in the summer of 2024 will go down as a piece of business that went a long way towards turning the Red Devils around.

The Denmark youth international made headlines last year when he went on a tear for Arsenal's Under-18s, scoring 32 goals in just 18 league matches for the Gunners despite his opponents being a couple of years older than him. United were subsequently able to tempt Obi away from north London amid rival interest from Bayern Munich, and despite him being just 17, there is a growing clamour from the Old Trafford crowd for the teenager to be given more first-team opportunities before the season is out.

After an underwhelming half-decade, Mexican soccer is desperate for some new blood to emerge ahead of them co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. Fortunately, in Gilberto Mora, there is hope that El Tri has found its new poster boy after a record-breaking start to the attacking midfielder's career.

At just 16, the Club Tijuana prospect has already become the youngest player to score in Liga MX, while he also played his first game for the senior Mexico team in an unofficial friendly in January. Barcelona and Manchester City are among the clubs to have been linked with moves for Mora, and interest in him is only going to grow as his development continues.

The United States has a rich history when it comes to developing goalkeepers, and Diego Kochen looks poised to become the next American shot-stopper capable of plying their trade at the very top of the global game after earning plenty of admirers at Barcelona.

The 18-year-old has become a fixture in the Blaugrana's matchday squads over the course of the campaign, and is expected to make the step up to become Marc-Andre ter Stegen's primary backup in the not-too-distant future. Kochen has also earned recognition from national team boss Mauricio Pochettino after receiving his first call-up to the senior squad in November.

Playing competitive international football at the age of 15 is an honour bestowed on very few players, but that is exactly what Amara Diouf accomplished in September 2023 when he made his debut for Senegal in an African Cup of Nations qualifier. That appearance came shortly after he had broken Victor Osimhen's record for the most goals scored at an U17 AFCON, and the now-16-year-old forward is expected to become one of the next superstars to emerge from the continent.

Diouf, who plays his club football for Generation Foot in his homeland, has seen his development stall somewhat over the past six months after he suffered a serious knee injury, though that has not stopped him from being linked with the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Liverpool. However, it seems he is most likely to follow in the footsteps of another Generation Foot talent, Sadio Mane, in joining French side Metz once he turns 18 in the summer of 2026.

For much of his youth career, Luis Guilherme was forced to play second-fiddle to Endrick in the Palmeiras age-group sides, though the pair certainly benefitted from each others' presence as they formed a formidable attacking duo. And so while Endrick moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, Guilherme headed for the Premier League, joining West Ham for a fee of £25 million ($31m).

Unfortunately for the 19-year-old, he has struggled to force his way into contention at the London Stadium, and could even be sold this summer as Graham Potter plans a rebuild in east London. However, there is no doubting Guilherme's talent and raw traits, such as his blistering pace, which still make him an exciting prospect for the future.

Dubbed the 'Serbian Messi' during his time coming through the Red Star Belgrade academy ranks, Andrija Maksimovic certainly doesn't lack for confidence, as illustrated by his claim that he is "better" than Lamine Yamal, which he made ahead of the Serbian side's Champions League clash with Barcelona in November.

While that might be wishful thinking, 17-year-old Maksimovic is certainly clearing every hurdle right now, having become a regular in the Red Star team after making his full debut in the Eternal Derby against Partizan in September. The youngest player to ever represent Serbia at international level, the attacking midfielder's performances have attracted interest from the likes of Liverpool, who reportedly made a failed bid for Maksimovic in January.

Paris Saint-Germain's switch of focus from signing global superstars to being home to France's best talents can only be good news for the club's academy talents, and Senny Mayulu is one of those reaping the benefits at Parc des Princes right now.

A box-to-box midfielder, the 18-year-old has earned regular minutes since making his Ligue 1 debut in March 2024, with Luis Enrique having made it clear that he trusts Mayulu after the Spaniard played a role in the youngster rejecting a contract offer from Borussia Dortmund to sign professional terms at PSG last summer.

Tottenham's association with South Korea is no secret given the legendary status of Son Heung-min in north London, and there is now hope that one of his compatriots will follow in Son's footsteps after Spurs secured the signing of versatile attacker Yang Min-hyeok back in July.

The Premier League side allowed Yang to complete the 2024 season with Gangwon FC, for whom he scored 12 goals and provided six assists in his solitary campaign at senior level, before he arrived in England in December. The 18-year-old has since been loaned out to Championship side QPR, where he is gaining experience of English football.

The rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea isn't what it was in the mid-2000s, when Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez memorably went head-to-head on numerous occasions, but certainly there will be ill feeling emanating out of Stamford Bridge if Rio Ngumoha goes on to become the toast of Anfield after the Reds stole the forward away from the Blues in the summer of 2024.

Regarded as one of the top prospects in English football, the 16-year-old has wasted little time in making an impact on Merseyside, and Ngumoha's impressive performances for the Liverpool youth teams led to him becoming the youngest player to ever start a first-team game for the six-time European champions in January. He continues to train with Arne Slot's senior squad, and further opportunities shouldn't be too far away.

Porto have been productive when it comes to developing stars of the future over the past 20 years, and Martim Fernandes is the latest homegrown talent to become a first-team regular for the Dragoes after stepping up to the senior ranks towards the end of the 2023-24 season.

An attack-minded right-back who is able to produce wicked crosses with regularity, the 19-year-old has been linked with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea having impressed in the Primeira Liga over the past 12 months.

Thiago Motta's revolution at Juventus has had its ups and downs thus far, but the ex-Bologna boss has pleased supporters with his willingness to trust in youth and oversee a changing of the guard for the Bianconeri. One of the most exciting players to have benefitted from that is Vasilije Adzic, who despite some niggling injury issues, is getting tongues wagging in Turin.

A veteran of almost 70 senior appearances for former club Buducnost Podgorica in his native Montenegro, the 18-year-old arrived in Italy back in July amid comparisons to Kevin De Bruyne for the way he is able to create from different positions in midfield and attack. While his opportunities in Serie A have been fleeting thus far, there is no doubt that Adzic has the talent to become a regular in the Juve side for years to come.

The stock of River Plate's academy has arguably never been higher, with the Argentine giants on something of a heater when it comes to churning out top talents. One of those making a name for themselves is Agustin Ruberto; the Golden Boot winner at the 2023 U17 World Cup, the striker has been touted as a great goal-scorer of the future.

It was expected that 2025 would prove to be the 19-year-old's true breakout year at club level after some encouraging cameos over the past 12 months, but a torn ACL suffered in January has set him back somewhat. Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea have, meanwhile, previously been linked with Ruberto, and they will be sure to monitor his return to action upon his recovery.

Back in late 2024, there was a very real fear around Chelsea that they were about to lose Josh Acheampong. The talented right-back was refusing to sign a new contract, and with the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich circling, it felt like the departure of yet another homegrown starlet was inevitable for the big-spending Blues.

However, it was announced in December that the 18-year-old had agreed a new long-term deal to remain at Stamford Bridge, and he has since begun forcing his way into Enzo Maresca's first-team plans while showcasing impressive versatility by slotting in at centre-back with relative ease.

While Barcelona have demonstrated that there is a very clear pathway from La Masia to the first team in recent years, for some players the urge to try something new remains too great and they move on before ever reaching the senior ranks. That is what happened with Adam Aznou, who left Catalunya to join Bayern Munich in 2022, and has since become a star of the German giants' age-group sides.

A left-back who is equally adept at going forward as he is at defending, the 18-year-old was seen as a ready-made Alphonso Davies replacement in Munich before the Canadian agreed a new contract at the Allianz Arena, and thus Aznou has headed out on loan to earn first-team experience in La Liga with Real Valladolid. Barca, meanwhile, are said to be monitoring his situation as they weigh up a bid to bring the Morocco international back to the club in the near future.

Greece is not traditionally regarded as a hotbed of emerging football talents, so when Olympiacos won the prestigious UEFA Youth League in 2024, it came as quite a shock. However, as members of that team begin to step up and make their mark on the senior side, it is clear it was no fluke, with striker Charalampos Kostoulas leading the way in that regard.

The 17-year-old became the youngest player to score a league goal for Greece's most successful club when he netted against PAOK in November, and he has been likened to legendary Argentina forward Gabriel Batistuta. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Europe's biggest clubs are taking notice, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid among those to have been linked with Kostoulas.

Despite the league's reputation, there aren't a wealth of teenage talents making waves in the Bundesliga this season, though Bence Dardai is proving to be an exception to that statement. Wolfsburg beat off competition from top Premier League sides to sign the midfielder from Hertha Berlin in June, and he has quickly established himself as a regular contributor at the Volkswagen Arena.

The 19-year-old, who comes from a family of footballers, previously scored the penalty that secured Germany the 2023 U17 Euros title, though he has since chosen to represent Hungary at international level in a blow to Julian Nagelsmann's future plans.

With the likes of Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao ahead of him in the pecking order, it is perhaps no surprise that Mattia Liberali hasn't quite forced his way into the AC Milan line up as yet, but that shouldn't sell the quick-footed midfielder's talents short, and a breakthrough at San Siro won't be far away.

The 17-year-old played a key role in Italy winning the U17 Euros in 2024 before putting in some eye-catching displays for the Milan first team during pre-season, including against Real Madrid, where Liberali provided the assist for Samu Chukwueze's winner. Likened to Phil Foden in his playing style, it would be a shock if he doesn't become a star for the Azzurri in the future, too.

Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea Arsenal... The list of teams to have been linked with Konstantinos Karetsas over the past 12 months is a who's who of Europe's elite, and having made a seamless transition into Genk's first team this season, it is easy to see why so many clubs are pining over the latest sensation to emerge onto the scene in Belgium.

Still just 17, Karetsas - who recently chose to represent Greece rather than Belgium at international level - is already making regular starts in the Jupiler League having previously become the youngest-ever goal-scorer in the Belgian second division while playing for Genk's reserves. An attacking midfielder who grew up idolising Neymar and Ronaldinho, Karetsas' creativity is his greatest asset.

Bournemouth are starting to earn a reputation for spotting talent and developing players into Premier League stars, so when they announced late on deadline day in February that they had won the race to sign Eli Junior Kroupi for £12m ($15m) from Lorient, it certainly raised a few eyebrows, given he was also being linked with Chelsea and West Ham.

The 18-year-old earned comparisons to Kylian Mbappe as he burst onto the scene in Ligue 1 last season, and he has continued to prove a menace for opposition defenders to deal with in the second tier following Lorient's relegation, with his pace and unerring finishing ability at an elite level for his age. He is currently seeing out the season on loan with his boyhood club before arriving in England this summer.

As debuts go, Marc Guiu's first appearance for Barcelona was a remarkable one, as he netted the winning goal against Athletic Club just 23 seconds after appearing from the bench in October 2023. That proved to be the high point of his time around the Blaugrana first team, but it was a perfect illustration of the goal-scoring instincts that Guiu honed at La Masia.

The 19-year-old swapped Catalunya for west London in the summer of 2024, joining Chelsea in a deal worth £5m ($6.2m), and though he has found Premier League minutes hard to come by, he showcased just why the Blues brought him to England as he finished as the top scorer in the Conference League league phase, netting six goals in as many games. An injury has stalled his progress since, but Guiu shouldn't be counted out as Chelsea continue their search for a reliable No.9 for both the present and future.

Not since the emergence of Christian Pulisic has there been the level of excitement for a soccer talent in the United States that is currently surrounding Cavan Sullivan. The hype is certainly justified, though, with the Philadelphia Union youngster tipped to surpass even 'Captain America' when it comes to career achievements despite him being just 15 years old.

The youngest athlete to ever appear in a major professional league in the U.S. after making his MLS debut in July 2024, midfielder Sullivan has also signed the most expensive homegrown contract in the competition's history. That deal includes the obligation for him to join Manchester City once he turns 18 in 2027, though he could yet move to Europe at an earlier date as he begins to earn regular first-team minutes in Philly.

Sunderland are in the grips of a battle for promotion back to the Premier League, but even if the Black Cats come up short, homegrown midfielder Chris Rigg will almost certainly be leaving the Championship behind this summer as a queue of England's biggest clubs continues to grow in the hope that they will be able to sign one of the second tier's most impressive performers.

The 17-year-old made headlines in August 2023 when he became Sunderland's youngest-ever goal-scorer, and after a season of sporadic appearances last term, Rigg is now a regular in Regis Le Bris' line up at the Stadium of Light. Manchester United have long been linked with the energetic youngster, while Arsenal, Liverpool and even Real Madrid are said to be closely monitoring his progress.

Barcelona were crying out for a Sergio Busquets replacement even before the legendary defensive midfielder headed for Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, and in the early weeks of the 2024-25 season, their prayers seemed to be answered by the performances of Marc Bernal, who went from little-known La Masia talent to first-team starter almost overnight.

Unfortunately for the 17-year-old, he suffered an ACL tear on just his third appearance for the Catalans, cutting his first season at senior level short before it had even got properly started. There is hope, however, that if his recovery is managed correctly, then Bernal will be able to re-establish himself as Barca's pivot of the future before too long.

It takes a brave player, especially a German, to reject the advances of Bayern Munich, but that is exactly what Assan Ouedraogo did in the summer of 2024, as the Schalke prospect instead opted for RB Leipzig as he plotted his route into the Bundesliga after an impressive breakout season in the second tier which saw him become his boyhood club's youngest-ever appearance-maker and goal-scorer.

Leipzig paid €10m (£8.3m/$10.4m) to bring the 18-year-old to the Red Bull Arena, but a series of injury issues have meant that Ouedraogo's debut campaign in the top flight has never really got going. The midfielder still has plenty of time, however, to show just why he was regarded as one of the top three German players for his age group when he won the bronze Fritz Walter Medal in 2023.

Tottenham might not be having the best season, but there is real hope for the future in north London after the club made investing in youth a priority a couple of years ago, meaning they have a host of top talents on their books who can form the spine of Spurs' next great team. One of those is central defender Luka Vuskovic, who will make his long-awaited arrival this summer.

The likes of Barcelona and Manchester City were interested in the 18-year-old before Spurs paid Hajduk Split £12m ($15m) to secure Vuskovic's signature in September 2023, and he has spent the past year or so gaining experience out on loan. He is currently plying his trade at Westerlo in the Belgian top flight, where as well as developing as a defender, he has shown a handy knack for goal-scoring, having previously become the youngest player to ever find the net for Hajduk.

Very few teenagers are able to step into the Champions League and immediately stick out as one of the most composed players on the pitch, but that is exactly what Lewis Miley did for Newcastle in 2023, as he burst onto the scene amid an injury crisis for the Magpies and did not look out of his depth amongst Europe's elite.

One of the breakout stars of the previous campaign, Miley's minutes have been limited this time around due to injuries and the form of his more senior colleagues, but there is no doubt that the 18-year-old has both the ability and mentality to become an England midfielder of the future.

Whenever Brighton complete the signing of a young player, there is generally a knowing nod within the scouting community, and that was no different when it was announced in February that the Seagulls had agreed a £20m ($25m) deal to sign Greek teenager Stefanos Tzimas, with the striker set to arrive in England this summer after seeing out the campaign with Nurnberg.

A product of the PAOK academy and the club's youngest-ever goal-scorer, the 19-year-old only moved to Germany in the summer of 2024, but quickly established himself as one of the most lethal strikers in the second tier, having already reached double figures for goals in 2024-25. Physically imposing despite his age, Tzimas looks ready to make the step up to Premier League football almost instantly.

Southampton almost certainly won't be sticking around in the Premier League as they edge ever closer to relegation, but at least one of the Saints' players will be remaining in the top flight, with Tyler Dibling set to be the subject of a bidding war this summer having established himself as one of the best prospects in English football.

The 19-year-old, who briefly spent time at Chelsea in the summer of 2022 before returning to St. Mary's, has oozed confidence since becoming a regular on the south coast, while Dibling's versatility in attacking areas has also likely played a part in the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle considering moves for him, though they could yet face competition from Bayern Munich if reports are to be believed.

The youngest player to appear in the Premier League for Tottenham, excitement has been growing around Mikey Moore and his potential to become a superstar of the future throughout the campaign thanks to his thrilling performances for Spurs both domestically and on the continent.

The 17-year-old's talent has been the subject of hushed conversations both in north London and at England's St. George's Park training base for a number of years now, but Moore has gone mainstream in 2024-25 season, with his quick feet and passing vision earning him comparisons to Neymar from team-mate James Maddison. Moore could very well prove to be the creative player the Three Lions have been crying out for in recent times.

Most strikers begin their careers dreaming of scoring a winning goal to beat Barcelona in the Champions League, but only a select few ever make it a reality. Barely any, meanwhile, are able to say they have done that twice before their 19th birthday, but George Ilenikhena isn't any ordinary teenager, with the French youngster having already enjoyed plenty of memorable moments in his short career thus far.

The first of those goals against the Blaugrana was one of 14 Ilenikhena scored for Royal Antwerp last season, and that form tempted Monaco to pay almost €20m (£16.5m/$21m) to bring him to Stade Louis II in the summer. The 18-year-old opened his account for the club against Barca in September, and though he has found goals harder to come by in Ligue 1 than he did in Belgium, the forward has impressed with his all-round game in the principality.

Chelsea have shown they are not afraid to spend big to secure some of the world's biggest talents since the club's Clearlake Capital takeover, and one of their most eye-catching investments came in the summer of 2023 when they agreed to pay in excess of £17m ($21m) to sign Ecuadorian playmaker Kendry Paez despite him not being able to play for them for another two years.

In the meantime, Paez has established himself as a key player for boyhood club Independiente del Valle while also performing well for the Ecuador national team, for whom he broke the record as the youngest-ever goal-scorer in South American World Cup qualifying history. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is now making himself at home in west London ahead of starting his Chelsea career in the coming months.

While Argentine football is bracing itself to bid farewell to one golden generation as Lionel Messi and some of his more senior team-mates prepare for a 'Last Dance' at the 2026 World Cup, Albiceleste fans can be reassured by the fact that there are number of emerging talents who are ready to step into the shoes of those veterans, with River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono prime among them.

The 17-year-old, who has been noted for his dead-ball and one-on-one abilities, became River's youngest-ever goal-scorer at the start of 2024, and has since been linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool, among others, with a summer transfer to Europe now looking almost certain.

Having been singled out as a potential contender for future Ballons d'Or by his former coach at Anderlecht, Vincent Kompany, there is a lot of pressure on Julien Duranville to become the face of a new Belgian generation. The winger certainly has the tools to reach such a level, with many at his former club believing he is the most talented attacker to emerge from Anderlecht's academy since Romelu Lukaku.

Borussia Dortmund beat off plenty of competition to secure Duranville's signature in January 2023, though the 18-year-old winger's first two years at Signal Iduna Park have largely been ruined by injury problems. When he has been fit, however, he has shown with his quick feet and electric pace just why there is so much excitement around him, while he has also already earned a couple of senior international caps.

It's not often that Tottenham are able to beat Barcelona to the signing of a player, but that's exactly what happened with Lucas Bergvall as Spurs muscled the Spanish giants out of the way to pay Djurgardens £8.5m ($11m) for the Swedish midfielder in January 2024. Bergvall arrived in north London six months later, and that investment is already looking like a bargain for the Premier League side.

The 19-year-old, who previously had trials at Manchester United and is now becoming an established member of his country's senior squad, has grown into an important player for Ange Postecoglou's team over the course of his debut campaign in England amid Spurs' injury problems, with his eye for a pass and ability in tight spaces suggesting he could grow into one of the very best midfielders in Europe if handled properly.

The conveyor belt of top-tier attacking talents to come out of Palmeiras has been well-documented in recent years, but the emergence of Vitor Reis suggests the Brazilian side are also capable of developing elite defenders, with Manchester City clearly believing that to be the case after they forked out £30m ($36m) to bring the 19-year-old to the Etihad Stadium in January.

A classy centre-back who has shown himself to be immensely comfortable in possession, Reis has also showcased his leadership credentials by captaining Brazil at youth level, and there is belief at City that he will grow into the centrepiece of their new-look backline over the coming years.

Few countries develop attacking midfielders at a better rate than Portugal, and in Rodrigo Mora, the Seleccao look to have another superb talent on their hands if his early steps into the Porto senior side are anything to go by.

The 17-year-old, who has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, showcased his goal-getting capabilities at youth level by finishing as top scorer in both the 2023-24 UEFA Youth League and the U17 Euros that followed, while he has shown he has the creative ability to match since breaking into the Porto first team in September having previously been the youngest debutant in Portuguese league history when he made his bow for the club's reserve side in the second tier as a 15-year-old.

Just over 10 years ago, then-teenaged Norwegian Martin Odegaard embarked on a tour of Europe as elite clubs from around the continent battled to sign one of the best midfield talents on the planet. Now, a decade or so later, Sverre Nypan has followed in his compatriot's footsteps, and while he is yet to make a decision regarding a transfer, there is a belief that he can match Odegaard's impact on the game in the coming years.

The 18-year-old managed 15 combined goals and assists from central midfield for Rosenborg during the 2024 campaign, and Nypan has since held talks with Arsenal and the City Football Group, among others, as he plots his next move, which will almost certainly arrive this summer.

The fourth member of his family to play in the English top flight, Archie Gray is following in the family business - and making it look easy, too. After being named Championship Young Player of the Year last season having been an ever-present in his debut campaign at boyhood club Leeds United, the 19-year-old has made the transition to the Premier League look easy following his £30m ($40m) transfer to Tottenham.

Gray's maturity is what marks him out among his peers, while his versatility is also mightily impressive, with the midfielder having been forced to fill in at right-back and centre-back for much of his early career while barely missing a beat. Just imagine how good he will be when he finally gets to play his favoured role on a regular basis...

Not since Eden Hazard emerged out the Lille academy has there been the level of excitement around Stade Pierre-Mauroy that follows Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the midfielder having slotted seamlessly into the first team after breaking countless records when he first debuted in various competitions as a 16-year-old.

Now 17, Bouaddi earned rave reviews for his performances against Real Madrid and Juventus in this season's Champions League, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all now said to be interested in a player whose calmness and poise is only matched by his intelligence both on and off the pitch, as Bouaddi is studying for a maths degree in his spare time.

It spoke volumes that of all the Sporting CP players that Ruben Amorim might have wanted to tempt to Manchester United this summer, the one being most vociferously linked with a move to Old Trafford was Geovany Quenda, who only made his first-team debut in August and had only just made his bow for the Portuguese club's reserve side this time last year.

The 17-year-old - who is comfortable playing off either flank - quickly established himself in Lisbon after becoming Sporting's youngest-ever goal-scorer and earned a call-up to the senior Portugal squad just weeks after making his first top-flight appearance, with his range of passing, ability in one-on-one situations and relentless work rate marking him out as a top talent. Unfortunately for Amorim, Chelsea have now swooped in ahead of United and agreed a £40m deal to bring Quenda to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2026.

For most strikers, scoring a goal every other game is seen as having a solid strike rate, and is the kind of player a team can build an attack around. Imagine, then, having a No.9 who is averaging almost five-and-a-half goals per game! That is the pace Francesco Camarda was maintaining as he made his way through the AC Milan academy ranks despite regularly playing above his own age group as he quickly made a name for himself as one of the most lethal teenage marksmen on the planet.

Camarda's form at youth level eventually led to him breaking his first senior record when he became Serie A's youngest-ever player after making his debut at just 15 in November 2023, and while the goals are yet to start flowing for the now-16-year-old as he continues to gain first-team opportunities at San Siro, it is seen as a matter of when, not if, he will return on the potential he showed as a schoolboy.

Excitement around Camarda isn't limited to just fans of the Rossoneri, either. Italy have been crying out for a reliable goal-scorer for decades, and after he was named Player of the Tournament as the Azzurini won the 2024 U17 Euros, Camarda is fully expected to eventually inherit the starting role for the senior side.

He may have only just turned 19, but Jorrel Hato has packed a lot into his short professional football career so far. A 'veteran' of over 100 appearances for Ajax, Hato has already captained one of the most famous teams in European football and begun establishing himself as a starter for a Netherlands team that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

Only Clarence Seedorf and Ryan Gravenberch made their league debuts for the Dutch giants at a younger age than Hato, who has grown into one of the best defenders in the Eredivisie while also showcasing his versatility by playing all across the backline before settling in at left-back this season. He is both comfortable in possession and able to mix it physically despite not having an imposing stature, meaning he has everything needed to one day become an elite centre-back.

That combination of attributes, combined with the maturity that has come from his extended exposure to top-flight football, means that Hato is not short of suitors, with Arsenal and Liverpool thought to be at the front of the queue as the summer approaches.

It takes a brave man to mock Erling Haaland, but when Myles Lewis-Skelly marked his first senior goal against Manchester City in February by mimicking the Norwegian's famed 'zen' celebration, it only highlighted the supreme confidence the 18-year-old has showcased since stepping into the Arsenal first team around the turn of the year.

Lewis-Skelly's celebration came as a response to Haaland asking the youngster 'who the f*ck' he was when the two sides previously met in September, and while the City No.9 could be forgiven for not knowing the English youngster back then, both he and anyone else who watches the Premier League is now very familiar with Lewis-Skelly's game given his fearless displays for Mikel Arteta's side.

Though naturally a central midfielder, Lewis-Skelly has thrived as a left-back in north London, leading to calls for him to earn a call-up from new England boss Thomas Tuchel. That call arrived for the upcoming March internationals, and there is a real chance that the teenager will make his Three Lions debut before his breakout season is over.

Manchester City are no strangers to plucking talented youngsters away from River Plate having introduced Julian Alvarez to European football, and there is a belief that they will be able to have similar success with Claudio Echeverri in the team at the Etihad Stadium after the teenager finally arrived in England in February.

City paid an initial £12.5m ($16m) to beat the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain to Echeverri's signature before allowing the 19-year-old to see out the remainder of 2024 with his boyhood club in Buenos Aires. He is now ready, however, to be unleashed on the Premier League and looks set to form part of a new-look, vibrant City attack in the coming years.

Nicknamed 'El Diablito' ('The Little Devil'), Echeverri's low centre of gravity, dynamic dribbling and ability to play in a variety of attacking roles have led to some comparisons to Lionel Messi, and while he might not reach the same heights as the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, his performances for Argentina's youth sides suggest he can become a leader for La Albiceleste over the next decade.

Not every player who has broken the record for the Premier League's youngest-ever debutant has gone on to become a household name, but Ethan Nwaneri certainly will. The first - and still only - 15-year-old to appear in England's top flight since its 1992 rebrand, the Arsenal youngster was slowly eased into the first-team picture in north London thereafter before truly exploding over the past six months.

The Gunners had to fight hard to convince Nwaneri to sign professional terms with them amid interest from Manchester City and Chelsea, and that effort has certainly proved worthwhile as the 17-year-old has grown into a key figure for Mikel Arteta's side amid an injury crisis in attack.

Nwaneri has filled in capably for Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side of Arsenal's forward line, with his two-footedness making him a nightmare for opponents to defend against. He has also shown he is capable of producing rocket-esque shots with his left from all distances, and while Saka's return might yet lead to him moving back into midfield, Nwaneri has shown he has everything required to become a superstar of the future regardless of his position.

Brazilian football fans are always on the lookout for 'the next Neymar' or 'the next Ronaldo', but only truly special talents are able to earn the moniker of 'the next Pele'. That is the honour that was bestowed on Endrick as he began to make waves in the Palmeiras first team, and Real Madrid fans are now starting to see glimpses of just why the forward is so highly rated in his homeland.

Madrid paid an eye-watering €60m (£52m/$64m) to sign Endrick back in January 2023 as they won a race that involved pretty much every other elite European club, but then had to wait 18 months before the youngster would arrive at Santiago Bernabeu. In the meantime, Endrick fired Palmeiras to the 2023 Brasileirao title by netting 11 league goals before announcing himself in Europe with strikes against England and Spain for the Brazil national team.

The 18-year-old finally got to pull on the famous white Madrid shirt in August, and wasted little time in getting going as he marked both his La Liga and Champions League debuts with goals. However, with Kylian Mbappe, Vincius Jr and Rodrygo ahead of him in the pecking order, learning to be patient has been Endrick's most valuable lesson thus far, though he has continued to chip in when he has been given opportunities by Carlo Ancelotti.

Though most comfortable as a central striker, Endrick has showcased versatility throughout his short career, which should mean he eventually forces his way into the Madrid line-up sooner rather than later. Certainly his unerring finishing and one-on-one ability are outstanding for a player of his age, and there is nothing to suggest he won't one day become another of Florentino Perez's Galacticos.

While Champions League failures and off-field controversies came to define Paris Saint-Germain's superstar era, one of the less talked-about narratives focused on the club's academy and how so few players from one of Europe's most prolific catchment areas were going on to become stars for their hometown club. Attitudes are, however, beginning to change at Parcs des Princes, with Warren Zaire-Emery the poster boy for a new generation of Parisians who dream on one day representing France's biggest club on the grandest stages.

Despite only just turning 19, Zaire-Emery has already made over 100 appearances for the PSG first team since becoming the club's youngest-ever player all the way back in August 2022. From there, he has set new benchmarks in a number of categories, including becoming PSG's youngest-ever goal-scorer and the youngest player to ever start a Champions League knockout match for any club, though he has since lost the latter of those.

He also marked his senior France debut in 2023 with a goal after a run of performances in the Champions League that announced Zaire-Emery as one of Europe's top young midfielders, having previously broken into the PSG line up at right-back and then on the right of a four-man midfield. He is most at home in central areas, however, having showcased an ability to operate as a deep-lying playmaker and as a roaming No.8 who can both create and score around the opposition's penalty area.

Pep Guardiola's fandom of Zaire-Emery is no secret, and given the increased competition for places in Luis Enrique's engine room, there is a chance that the teenager one day swaps his boyhood club for a Premier League move. Zaire-Emery would certainly have no issues in becoming an important cog for any team around Europe.

It's not often that the absence of a 17-year-old with just six months of first-team experience from a national-team squad for a summer tournament causes major headlines, but Pau Cubarsi is no ordinary teenager. The Barcelona centre-back was surprisingly left off Spain's final roster for Euro 2024, and though La Roja managed just fine without him, it figures to be the last time for a while that Cubarsi misses out on an end-of-season competition.

A product of La Masia, Cubarsi made waves during the second half of last season when he stepped into the Barca backline and immediately gave off the aura of a seasoned veteran as he went about locking down some of Europe's most feared attackers, most notably Victor Osimhen and Kylian Mbappe in back-to-back Champions League knockout ties.

The now-18-year-old has subsequently kicked on under the tutelage of Hansi Flick, and has been an almost ever-present for the Blaugrana thus far in 2024-25 while matching his excellent defensive instincts with a range of passing that would make most central midfielders jealous.

Ex-Barca captain Carles Puyol has compared Cubarsi to his former central-defensive partner Gerard Pique, and the early signs are that the youngster can go on to enjoy a similarly successful career in Catalunya having recently signed a new, lucrative four-year contract with his boyhood club.

For Brazilians to embrace a player who is nicknamed 'Messinho', they must show themselves to be exceptional. That is certainly one adjective that matches the play of Estevao Willian, who has illustrated that comparisons to the greatest Argentine to ever kick a football aren't wide of the mark during the early strides he has made into senior football.

Barely a week goes by without Estevao producing a moment of magic with the ball at his feet that goes viral around the globe, as the youngster gained quite the reputation for spectacular strikes on his way to scoring 13 goals - a tally that was only bettered by two players - in his first full Brasileirao campaign. He isn't merely a goal-scorer, either, and the 17-year-old recently became the first player to record 30 combined goals and assists before their 18th birthday in Brazil since Neymar burst onto the scene at Santos.

Unfortunately for Palmeiras fans, as with many of their top academy products in recent years, time is running out for them to catch Estevao in action for the Verdao. After a ferocious battle between some of Europe's most prestigious clubs, Chelsea agreed to pay an initial £29m ($37m) to sign Estevao back in June, and the forward will arrive at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2025-26 season as part of the next wave of talented youngsters that Blues' bosses hope will restore them as true Champions League contenders down the road.

Already a full Brazil international, Estevao is being tipped to eventually take up Neymar's mantle as the centrepiece of the Selecao attack over the next few years, and there is no question that he has the ability to one day surpass the ex-Barcelona superstar as the greatest goal-scorer in the national team's history.

What more is there to say about Lamine Yamal that hasn't already been said? Perhaps the greatest teenage footballer the world has ever seen, the forward is already a household name around the globe after his heroics for both Barcelona and Spain, and while Lionel Messi comparisons aren't particularly helpful, it's difficult not to suggest that Yamal is the heir apparent to a man who once bathed him as a baby as part of a calendar photoshoot.

Ever since making his Barca debut as a 15-year-old, Yamal has proven to be almost un-droppable, and it became clear midway through his first full season in the senior side that he was the most important player in the Blaugrana line-up despite still being a schoolboy. His list of records could fill a decent-sized book already, and there are those who watch La Liga regularly who already believe he is the best player in a division that also boasts Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Robert Lewandowski, Antoine Griezmann and many more world-class footballers.

Yamal's impact on the international game has perhaps been even greater. The youngest player to both represent and score for Spain at senior level, his performances at Euro 2024 were, at times, mesmeric as he toyed with opposition defenders who had at least 5-10 years of experience on him. Yamal provided the most assists in Germany while producing one of the most memorable moments of the summer with his long-range strike against France in the semi-finals as the boy who brought his homework with him and celebrated his 17th birthday the day before the final was unanimously named Young Player of the Tournament following La Roja's triumph.

Ballon d'Or talk has already begun, with Yamal odds-on to become the first player to win the most prestigious individual prize in the game before his 21st birthday. Certainly the way in which he has shredded opponents for Barca thus far in 2024-25 has put him in the Golden Ball conversation, and perhaps challenging Messi's record of eight Ballons d'Or will be in his future.

For now, Yamal will have to make do with another piece of history, as he becomes the first player to be named the winner of NXGN on two separate occasions. Your NXGN 2025 No.1: Lamine Yamal.