Top 10 Best Young Players in the World 2025 | Ranked

Over the years, a plethora of young talents have reached the pinnacle of their careers, justifying the buzz created around them. From Sporting Lisbon’s Cristiano Ronaldo to Barcelona icon Lionel Messi, they all started to showcase their potential at a very young age and went on to be the best young players in the world. Although an initial promise does not necessarily guarantee the fulfilment of potential, as players like Bojan Krkic, Arda Turan, and, more recently, Ansu Fati would agree. Thus, even generational talents cannot afford any complacency and neglect the importance of hard work in their journey.

Hundreds of talented young football players under the age of 21 are on their way to being in the same league as the strongest players in the history of this game. On that note, we have compiled a list of the best twenty young football players who have a burning fire inside them to hit the top deck in the upcoming years. Players like Jude Bellingham, Pedri, Jamal Musiala, etc., who have become the talisman of their club at just the commencement of their professional careers, certainly fit this mould.

List of Best Young Football Players

While making the list of the top 10 best young players in the world across the world, we focused on some important criteria such as game-changing displays, important goals, and potential. The following are some choice picks from the current World Football roster that have excelled at their craft, irrespective of the lack of experience.

How We Ranked the Top 10 Best Young Players in the World 2025?

The following ranking factors have been used to rank the best young players in the world 2025. Let's understand how these ranking factors affected the rankings of the above-mentioned players in the list.

• Senior club Impact: This metric defines how impactful the player is in raising the ceiling of the whole team through both his performances and link-up with the team. Their impact while playing for a senior club team helped in ranking the players on our list of the top 10 best young players in the world.
• Advanced Metrics: This metric takes into account the quantifiable actions occurring in the game, for example, dribbles per 90, expected goals accumulated per 90, defensive actions per 90, etc.
• Major Youth Award: The Major Youth Awards are organized by pioneers of the footballing community, including distinguished journalists and former legendary footballers, who form the jury for the awards. With major achievements, we were able to compile our list of the best young football players right now.

• Future Potential (Transfer value & scouting grades): How likely is the player to develop into a superstar, despite being one of the best player in the world 2025? This metric observes the rise in the market value of the player following his rise in the footballing world, thus defining the financial and footballing value the player holds for his team.

  Note: These statistical numbers were taken from Transfermarkt, Fbref and Sportsdunia.

Who is the Best Player in the World 2025?

It is these tricksters and prodigies that delight the hearts of their home fans, endearing them to each football fan irrespective of their club or national loyalties. Let us take a look at some such stars we've included in our best young players in the world.

10. Myles Lewis Skelly (Arsenal)

Lately, Arsenal have been a hub where young talents are being produced at regular intervals, be it Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman, or Myles Lews Skelly, who has impressed everyone at the Emirates Stadium, including the Spanish manager Mikel Arteta. The English full-back Lewis-Skelly started in the first team as a midfielder, but the manager later shifted his position. Arteta stated that with the given qualities, the left-back position would suit the young lad, and it proved to be true when he excelled in the left-back position.

Even though Skelly has limited matches for the Gunners, his impact can not be ignored. In the 2024/25 season, the Arsenal academy graduate had one assist to his name in the 23 appearances and had 2.5+ ball retrievals per game. At 18, the maturity he showed on the pitch and the impact he had last season were something incomparable, making him one of the best young football players in the Premier League as well as in the world. Though he has not got much playing time in the 2025//26 season.

9. Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)

Pau Cubarsi joined the Barca youth team in 2018 from Girona’s academy. The tall and physically strong defender already possessed the physical attributes to dominate in La Liga, which were combined with the rigorous ball mastery drills of the La Masia academy to provide us with a modern-day semblance of Piqué. Cubarsi’s development was accelerated through the Youth ranks due to a significant defensive crisis in the Barcelona first team during the 2023/24 season.

The young Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi took this opportunity in such stride, unfazed by the pressure of performing for one of the biggest clubs in Spanish football, that the whole world resounded with praises for the prodigy. Since then, he has not looked back and has been on the right path to become one of the greats in defending with Barcelona. He has shown why he is labelled as one of the best player in the world 2025.

8. Alejandro Balde (Barcelona)

The Spanish full-back Alejandro Balde occupies the 8th spot in our rankings of the best young players in the world after he had won the domestic treble with one of the greats of Spain. His contributions in the unforgettable season under Hansi Flick were 10 assists and 1 goal in 32 appearances, 4 clean sheets, and jaw-dropping 3.8 ball retrievals per game. Apart from statistical brilliance mentioned previously, His work rate impressed the Culers and football fans worldwide, as he was present at both ends of the pitch whenever the team needed him.

His impact in defense is clear, as Barcelona have never felt the absence of their former left-back Jordi Alba since the Spaniard’s move to Inter Miami. If Balde continues to play at the level he is currently operating, no one can stop him from matching the brilliance of Denis Irwin, Ashley Cole and Marcelo.

7. Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid)

Juventus may already be thinking about their decision to sell Spanish defender Dean Huijsen for just £10 million, as the youngster is now shining on the big stage. Huijsen, after he departed from the Italian club, joined the English side Nottingham Forest, which gave him recognition as one of the best center-backs in the world. In his breakout season with the Tricky Trees in the 2024/25 season, the Spanish defender had 3+ ball retrievals per game. In addition, he had a G/A of 5, which shows his ability to contribute at both ends when required.

His performance at Nottingham Forest attracted clubs like Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea and others who were ready to pay a hefty price for his services, but the player chose Real Madrid as his next destination. So far, his decision to join Real Madrid has proven to be successful as the player has already found himself in Xabi Alonso's plans and is now a regular starter in the team at this young age , which speaks volumes for someone of his age.

6. Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)

The Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz has attracted eyeballs from around the world after being nominated for the Kopa Trophy, which is given to the best young player in the world for his performance in the previous season. The nomination came as a result of his consistent performance for the Turin-based club Juventus, where the young lad had 7 goals and had 4 assists to his name in just 28 starts. The numbers are not enough to showcase the impact he had last season for Serie A outfit Juventus.

Yildiz's off-the-ball movement, plus the ability to find players with through balls, are some traits that are hardly found in players of his age. Yildiz has carried his last season's form into the new season, and it looks like the player is ready to unleash the best version of himself this season after he has given back-to-back match-winning performances for Juventus in the initial matches of the UEFA Champions League. Additionally, the player has drawn attention from several big clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and others after he was in top contention for the Kopa Trophy.

5. Joao Neves (PSG)

The Portuguese midfield sensation Joao Neves has made a name for himself among the top 10 best young players in the world in very little time compared to other young stars in this list. The 20-year-old midfield magician has taken Ligue 1 by storm. His calm composure while having the ball at his feet makes him a treat to watch. Considering the amount he cost PSG and what he has accomplished so far, it is a bargain and a win-win situation for the French club.

Even though the Portuguese midfielder has a 5'9" frame, he is not one to shy away from going for duels, and in fact, he has dominated, ranking him among Europe's top tacklers. The PSG midfielder has cemented his place as one of the top 10 best young players in the world right now after he was recognised by French Football, who kept him in the last 5 of the Kopa Trophy. He helped the Parisians to a historic 2024/25 campaign with UEFA Champions League success.

4. Estevao (Chelsea)

The Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Wilian, who used to play for Palmeiras, has successfully shut the mouths of critics who said the player would be a flop in the Premier League, the best league in the world, due to a lean physique. But to everyone's surprise, the player was able to win the player of the match in his initial games for the London-based club Chelsea with his brilliant skills. The Brazilian right winger made his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace, and since then, he has impressed everyone at Stamford Bridge, including Italian coach Enzo Maresca.

Apart from the accomplishments earned this season, he has also been nominated for the Kopa Trophy, which recognises the best young talents around the globe. His nomination came as a result of an unforgettable season with Palmeiras, where the Brazilian winger scored 13 goals and had 9 assists in just 31 appearances. However, the player is making efforts to be a regular starter under Enzo Maresca. After what he had done in the recent International break, the player must have won Maresca's trust.

3. Arda Guler (Real Madrid)

Arda Guler is one of the best Next Gen wonder kids in 2025 with the “potential to reach the level of Lionel Messi”, according to his former coach. The Turkish midfielder-winger Arda Guler, who plays for Real Madrid in La Liga, is a treat to watch when he is on the move with the ball at his feet. Destined to be one of the greatest players in history, Guler became a nightmare for opponents after scoring 21 goals in 53 games for Fenerbahçe.

Arda has been in tremendous form for Real Madrid this season, making him one of the best young football players in the world. The player is at the best club in the world and is taking the slower way to the top. The Turkish playmaker is off to a stunning start to the 2025/26 season, with more importance given to his role by Xabi Alonso; Guler is truly playing his best football at the moment.

2. Desire Doue (PSG)

The Rennes academy graduate Desire Doue, has taken world football by surprise since he arrived at the Parc des Princes. The young forward, who was scarcely known as a world beater but was highly appreciated for his dribbling flair, smooth touches, and decent attacking vision, was also being courted by the Bavarians. Doue flabbergasted the Parisians with his showboating skills, while also proving that he is not just an empty vessel, by converting each successful dribble into an opportunity for his team to capitalise on.

The exploits of the winger revamped his situation in the PSG dressing room, as the youngster who was brought about as a developmental project, replaced fellow countryman Bradley Barcola rightfully in their starting lineup. His development speaks volumes as his transfer value upgraded from just 30 million Euros in 2024 to a double figure of 60 million Euros in 2025. Additionally, individual achievements like the Kopa Trophy nomination, UEFA Champions League young player of the season and FIFA Club World Cup Best Young player further solidify his position in our list of best young players in the world.

1. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

The Spanish forward and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is unarguably the best young football player under the age of 18 in 2025. The prolific forward is the youngest player in the history of Barcelona to play in La Liga. The Spanish winger is already at the same level as Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland and is expected to be one of the greatest club legends at Barcelona. His exploits in Spain’s victorious campaign at Euro 2024 accurately demonstrate his potential and greatness.

The La Masia sensation has solidified his stature as the best young footballer in the world by winning his second-straight Kopa Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony. At the same event, he finished second in the Men's Ballon d'Or rankings, following PSG's Ousmane Dembele, which is the closest an 18-year-old has come to winning the Ballon d'Or award. This is just the beginning of his glorious career

Golden Boy 2025: 25 Men Shortlist Unveiled

Check out the 25-men nomines list of the Golden Boy 2025 award featuring some of the best young players in the world.