Golden Boy Power Rankings

Golden Boy Power Rankings: Top 10 Young Footballer of the Year Contenders in 2026 (Ranked)

Jacob Gijy

Published - Dec 01, 2025, 10:52 AM

10 min

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The Golden Boy power rankings come in as the time to award the best young player arrives soon. Desire Doue won the Golden Boy award in 2025, and this time, some young stars could come in and steal the spotlight. Moreover, Europe's brightest stars, despite being young, have distinguished themselves from the rest and become superstars. This time, players like Ethan Nwaneri, Estevao, and Pau Cubarsi have dominated the Golden Boy 2026 power rankings. Hence, the Golden Boy 2026 ranking will give fans an idea about the young players who are improving at a rapid pace in their bid to dominate world football in the coming years. Hence, let's take a deep dive into the Golden Boy 2026 rankings.

Golden Boy 2026 Power Rankings (Top 10 List Based on Current Trends)

The 2026 Golden Boy power rankings have entirely taken over the world, and fans are eager to understand who the next winner will be. The top 10 Golden Boy 2026 rankings feature talented players who have already established themselves as leaders within their current teams. Some have become the most influential players, such as Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Jude Bellingham during his time with Borussia Dortmund. Hence, we take a look at the Golden Boy power rankings for 2026, with some unearthed gems making the updated list.

Rank	Player	Club	Age	Position	Country
10.	Lucas Bergvall	Tottenham Hotspur	19	Midfielder	Sweden
09.	Rodrigo Mora	Porto	18	Midfielder	Portugal
08.	Senny Mayulu	PSG	19	Midfielder	France
07.	Franco Mastantuono	Real Madrid	18	Midfielder	Argentina
06.	Warren Zaïre-Emery	PSG	19	Midfielder	France
05.	Ethan Nwaneri	Arsenal	18	Winger	England
04.	Myles Lewis-Skelly	Arsenal	19	Defender	England
03.	Ayyoub Bouaddi	Lille	18	Midfielder	France
02.	Pau Cubarsí	Barcelona	18	Defender	Spain
01.	Estevao	Chelsea	18	Winger	Brazil

Criteria Behind 2026 Golden Boy Power Rankings

For every Golden Boy 2026 ranking, there are some parameters to rank the best young players in the world. Some of the parameters used to determine the Golden Boy 2026 power rankings include individual stats, Champions League Stats, International Stats, and Expected Performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here are some of the pointers for the Golden Boy 2026 rankings.

Individual Stats: For every ranking and even the 2026 Golden Boy power rankings, individual stats remain the creamy layer of all the rankings. Whether it's goals, assists, or progressive passes, when it comes to advanced statistics, personal statistics determine a player's ranking.
Champions League stats: The UEFA Champions League is the best club competition in the world, and when a youngster performs to his maximum, the world often stands up and takes notice. Hence, the Champions League becomes another parameter that determines the top 10 Golden Boy 2026 rankings.
International Stats: Some of these players have cool heads on their young shoulders. They perform well at the international level, as it certainly helps in the Golden Boy power rankings. Hence, international stats do play a significant role.
Expected performance for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: With the FIFA 2026 World Cup coming around next year, the potential performances by these players could give them a boost to win the Golden Boy award.

Please note: Statistics are sourced from reliable platforms, including Sportsdunia, FBref, Transfermarkt, and FotMob, and advanced statistics are provided per 90 minutes. They are also taken from their respective league performances, apart from the appearances, goals, and assists.

Golden Boy Power Rankings: Possible Top 10 Contenders to Win the Award

The Golden Boy power rankings are here, and let's look at the top players who can win the award in 2026.

10. Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham Hotspur/ English Premier League)

Lucas Bergvall of Spurs (Image Credits: X/ Spurs Global)

The one player who's still highly rated from the Ange Postecoglou era is Lucas Bergvall. He's a calm and composed midfielder, pulling the strings in the middle of the park, and he certainly is pleasing to the eye. With 2.83 tackles in a game, Bergvall dictates the tempo for Spurs and is the future of the club.

He has played in three Champions League matches, and he could be a star player for Sweden if they manage to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. He has been capped six times for Sweden and is instrumental to the national team's success.

Appearances	Progressive Carries/90	Passing Accuracy % /90	Goals + Assists	Interceptions/90
15	2.29	82.4	1+2	0.43

09. Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto / Liga Portugal)

Rodrigo Mora of Porto — Rodrigo Mora of Porta (Image Credits: X/ Desarme Tático)

The latest starboy from Liga Portugal, Rodrigo Mora, could make the World Cup squad for Portugal next year. He's a talented midfielder who's versatile enough to play as a winger, No. 10, or in central midfield. He's scored four goals in all competitions and shows his creativity with 1.60 chances.

Moreover, he hasn't made his national team debut, but he has appeared for the under-21 side. Additionally, he hasn't played in the Champions League, but he has appeared in the Europa League. Mora ranks 9th on the list.

Appearances	Progressive Carries/90	Passing Accuracy % /90	Goals + Assists	Interceptions/90
17	2.71	81.0	4+0	0.80

08. Senny Mayulu (PSG/ Ligue 1)

Senny Mayulu of PSG (Image Credits: X/ Fabrizio Romano)

Luis Enrique's PSG is head and shoulders above the rest. The young talents at the club are pretty incredible, and Senny Mayulu is the new kid on the block. He scored against Barcelona in the Champions League, and the versatile midfielder can play anywhere, even up front. With 19 appearances this season, he's scored three goals so far, apart from the five goals last year.

Mayulu has not yet made his national team debut, but he could become a crucial player from the bench for Didier Deschamps at the World Cup. As for his club-level performances, he stays right on top.

Appearances	Progressive Carries/90	Passing Accuracy % /90	Goals + Assists	Interceptions/90
19	2.71	88.6	3+1	0.28

07. Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid / La Liga)

Franco Mastantuono of Madrid (Image Credits: X/ B/R Football)

Earning a big money move to Real Madrid, Franco Mastantuono is a top talent. There's no other way around it. He's certainly caught the eye, starting 12 matches, and the versatile player often plays in the center midfield and also from the right wing position. The Madrid star boy has a 90.4% pass completion rate, demonstrating that he rarely loses possession of the ball.

Making three appearances for Argentina, Mastantuono combined with Messi to become a star player for his team. Expect him to get some minutes during the World Cup.

Appearances	Progressive Carries/90	Passing Accuracy % /90	Goals + Assists	Interceptions/90
12	1.45	90.4	1+0	0.13

06. Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG/ Ligue 1)

Warren Zaïre-Emery of PSG of PSG (Image Credits: X/ EuroFooty)

Although it may seem like Warren Zaïre-Emery has been with PSG for a long time, he's still only 19 years old. Making 147 appearances for PSG, he carries the ball well and dictates the tempo of his club. With four appearances in the Champions League, Warren Zaïre-Emery has stitched some passes at the heart of the midfield.

Likewise, he's made nine appearances for the France national football team and could be a crucial player for his country at the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, his impressive 93.9% pass completion rate ensures he rarely loses possession of the ball.

Appearances	Progressive Carries/90	Passing Accuracy % /90	Goals + Assists	Interceptions/90
25	2.90	93.9	1+1	0.54

05. Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal/ English Premier League)

Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal (Image Credits: X/ AFC Pics)

Can Arsenal finally win the Premier League title? Well, Ethan Nwaneri could play a part in it. He burst onto the scene in 2022, playing multiple games for Arsenal. At just 18, Nwaneri has made 49 appearances and scored 10 goals in his career. He hasn't made his England national team debut yet, so it's unlikely he'll be on the plane to the USA.

Yet, for Arsenal, he comes off the bench and scores crucial goals for the team. Thus, he ranks fifth in the Golden Boy power rankings. Nwaneri is the first star from the Arsenal academy to feature in this list.

Appearances	Goals + Assists	Overall Dribble Success %	Shot Creating actions/90	Crosses/90
10	1+0	3.1	2.57	0.40

04. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal/ English Premier League)

MLS of Arsenal (Image Credits: X/ Fabrizio Romano)

The second player from Arsenal is Myles Lewis-Skelly, the left back who has massive potential. He's already made an England national appearance and could make the left back position his own. He made 39 appearances last season and tucks into the midfield from the left back position to control Arsenal's tempo at times.

Likewise, he's appeared in three Champions League games this season and provides a great option from the bench. MLS is moving forward and continues to impress.

Appearances	Duels Won%	Successful Crosses/90	Tackles won/90	Goals + Assists
13	46.2	-	1.27	0+3

03. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille/ Ligue 1)

Ayyoub Bouaddi playing (Image Credits: X/ Safking)

Just 18, Ayyoub Bouaddi has made 71 appearances for Lille. He's made 17 starts for Lille this season, and he's destined for the top. The teenager continues to dominate games from the midfield position.

He hasn't made a start for France yet, but Ayyoub Bouaddi will probably fly to the USA with the national team in 2026. He's an all-action midfielder and is defensively solid. Thus, Ayyoub Bouaddi ranks third in the Golden Boy power rankings.

Appearances	Progressive Carries/90	Passing Accuracy % /90	Goals + Assists	Interceptions/90
17	1.32	85.5	0+1	0.91

02. Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona/ La Liga)

Pau Cubarsí of Barca (Image Credits: X/ Fabrizio Romano)

89 appearances at just 18. That's why Pau Cubarsi is a name every club wants to have. Sadly, Barcelona will nurture him, mold him into a star, and he will probably end his career as a legend of the club.

He's won 69.2% aerial duels and makes 1.73 tackles per game. With 10 appearances for Spain, Cubarsi could become a starter for Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

Appearances	Duels Won%	Successful Crosses/90	Tackles won/90	Goals + Assists
14	66.0	-	2.00	0+0

01. Estevao (Chelsea/ English Premier League)

Estevao celebrating (Image Credits: X/ B/R Football)

Yes, you're quite possibly looking at the 2026 Golden Boy winner. Estevao scored a sensational goal against Barcelona by beating the No. 2-ranked player on the list, which certainly improved his stock. Making 17 appearances for Chelsea, he's quickly become their star player.

For Brazil, it's pretty sure Estevao could start on the right wing with Rodrygo leading the line from the front. Therefore, Estevao looks to get back to winning ways and win the Golden Boy award.