Ranking the 10 Best Young Player in the World – 2025

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’s Lionel Messi, they all started to showcase their potential at a very young age and went on to be the greatest ballers ever. Although an initial promise does not necessarily guarantee the fulfillment 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 23 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 ten young football players who have a burning fire inside them to hit the top deck in the upcoming years. The analysis is not just based on potential but also on how the skills and hype of the player have been translated into actual games. Players who rise to the stature of the best players in football take the reins of their club and country early in their career, becoming fundamental in their functioning and further successes. 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.

How We Ranked the Best Young Player in the World

First Team Appearances: Consistent first team appearances show us how important a player is to his team, additionally, it tells us that a player is not injury prone. Young players with high appearances demonstrate readiness for top-tier competition.

Market Value: The Market value of a player is based on future performance projections. Also, market value indicates a player’s perceived demand in the transfer market. Higher values often reflect proven performance and future expectations.

G+A/90: This factor helps us to evaluate a player’s visible contributions to the team. High rates highlight efficiency and game-changing ability in limited minutes.

Individual Awards & Recognitions: Awards that are given to young players, like the Kopa Trophy, reflect peer and industry recognition of talent. They signify a player’s standout impact among young footballers.

International Impact: Impact in international matches is also considered before ranking the top 10 best young players in the world. Caps and key contributions (goals, assists, leadership) in international matches show a player’s global stage performance.

Top 10 Best Young Football Players In The World

While making the list of the top 10 best young players in the world 2025 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.

Who is the Best Young Player in the World?

World football is constantly evolving and although it is sad seeing our most beloved superstars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Virgil Van Dijk, etc., approaching the twilight of their careers, it is also exciting to see some young talents arriving in the game, ready to take the baton from them. The ever-changing tapestry of football is dominated by the exuberant colors of these youngsters’ voraciousness and ambition. It is these tricksters and prodigies that delight the heart 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 that have arrived in the footballing world with some audacious performances, preceding their age and maturity levels.

10. Bradley Barcola

Bradley Barcola is at number 10 in our young football players list. The Frenchman is known for his pace and creativity on the flank. Barcola has scored 21 goals and provided 19 assists in more than 50 appearances for the Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain. These numbers may sound normal for a veteran, but pulling these kinds of numbers at just 22 is incredible.

However, the player is looking for some extra playing minutes in the French squad under the leadership of Didier Deschamps. His €45m market value reflects his growing popularity. Barcola’s ability to create and score in high-pressure games, combined with his international experience, secures his spot in our list best youngsters in 2025.

9. Warren Zaire-Emery

At number we have another Frenchman, Warren Zaire Emery. Zaire Emery has scored 3 goals and given 3 assists this season playing for Paris Saint-Germain. His contribution to PSG’s Quadruple season has gone unnoticed by a major section of football fans. Warren Zaire Emery is known for his composure and calmness on the pitch. The way he deceives opponents’ pressing is impressive for a young lad of his age.

His €60m market value underscores his potential as a game-changing midfielder. Zaire-Emery’s ability to control games and contribute offensively, combined with his rapid rise at PSG, justifies his position. His versatility and composure under pressure ensure he’s among the top young midfielders globally. However, the player is still trying to adopt Deschamps’ playstyle in the French national team

8. Pau Cubarsi

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 22-23 season. Cubarsi was, thus, called up to participate in the Pre-Season with the first team by Xavi for the 2023-2024 season. The Barcelona legend was astounded by the composure and maturity of the defender to such an extent that, during the middle of the season, with only 2 available central defensive options, the young 17 year old was called up to be the backbone of the Blaugranas.

The young defender 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 that day, the inclusion of Pau Cubarsi in each match day squad feels like a compulsion instead of an aberration, which clearly shows the levels he has reached, starting regularly alongside Inigo Martinez in one of Barcelona’s most successful seasons in a decade.With a €50m market value and ~5 Spain caps, Cubarsí’s 98th-percentile progressive passing and 2.08 aerial duels won highlight his potential as one of the best center backs in the world.

7. Gavi

Another Barcelona wonderkid Gavi has made it to the list of the best 10 young kids in 2025. Even with a smaller height, the midfielder delivers on big occasions for the Catalan outfit and the Spanish national football team on big occasions week in and week out. Making his La Liga debut in 2021 at the age of 17, Gavi has already established himself as one of the biggest potentials in world football.

Gavi is easily one of the most impressive deep-lying midfielders in the world. His potential and work rate make him a potential superstar, alongside the likes of Pedri and Lamine Yamal. The player has scored 3 goals and given 3 assists in the 2024/25 La Liga season. His ability to anchor Barcelona’s defense at such a young age ensures his ranking as one of football’s brightest defensive prospects.

6. Desire Doue

Desire Doue, the Rennes academy talent, has taken World football by surprise since he arrived at the Parc des Princes at the beginning of the 2024 season in August. 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. The winger, however, snubbed Bayern Munich in hopes of showcasing his talent in a familiar league, with PSG, the most prestigious club in France. This decision was spot on as apprehension turned into recognition when Doue was awarded some game time under Luis Enrique, who is known for his Zest in developing new age talents.

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 capitalize 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. His ability to impact games with goals and assists, combined with his youth international success, justifies his ranking. Additionally, the player is a strong contender to win the Golden Boy award in the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony.

5. Jamal Musiala

Jamal Musiala, a former English player, is now the biggest attacking weapon in the arsenal of the German football team. The 22-year-old is one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe following his dazzling displays across all competitions, including the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Bundesliga, and UEFA Champions League. His unique dribbling skills, agility, and vision of play make the fans rally behind him. With Bayern Munich, he has already scored tons of goals in recent years. Musiala has the world at his feet and has already become a huge part of the Bayern setup under Vincent Kompany.

His €140m market value speaks for the player’s performance in domestic as well as on the international stage. Musiala’s ability to unlock defenses with his pace and skills in big moments justifies his number 5 spot in our list of the best young player in the world. His technical brilliance and adaptability ensure he’s a key figure for Bayern and a future global icon in the football scene.

4. Florian Writz

Florian Writz is another German under the age of 21, who has been sending shockwaves across the world of football for quite a few months. After returning from a long spell on the sidelines, he became a cog in the attacking wheel of Xabi Alonso‘s Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024-25 season. The German club’s glorious journey in 2023/24 season to win the Bundesliga title, dethroning Bayern Munich, saw Writz putting on a seamless display throughout the season.

He is already one of the best young attacking midfielders and has drawn interest from Real Madrid and Manchester City. Wirtz is one of the most highly rated youngsters in the world today. His x-factor, the ability to score goals out of nothing, makes him a superstar not just of the future, but the present as well.

3. Pedri

Pedri has already become a superstar in Spanish football and is destined to be at the highest level of the game in the future. He is a perfect example of the exclusivity of midfield. The former Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez hailed the 22-year-old wonderkid from next generation as the perfect player to fill in the void left by Andres Iniesta in the club.

Xavi also stated that Pedri is already at the same level as Iniesta, a statement that explains why the young Spaniard is in the top five of the list of best U-21 footballers. Pedri is one to watch out for, for sure, in the future! As the 2021 Golden Boy and Euro 2020 Best Young Player, his technical skill and vision make him a midfield maestro for Spain. His ability to control games and create chances on the pitch, paired with his La Liga and international experience, justifies his number 3 ranking. Pedri remains a pivotal figure in Barcelona’s resurgence under Hansi Flick.

2. Jude Bellingham

When Jude Bellingham left Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid, the football pundits said, “he has come where he is destined to be”. And the English superstar proved the fans and pundits alike by leading the Spanish giants to their 36th La Liga trophy and 15th UEFA Champions League title in his debut season. With 42 caps for England at 22, he shows his leadership and versatility, which make him one of the best young player in the world.

The 21-year-old midfielder has the ability to play in the positions of a holding and an attacking midfielder. The “player of the 2023/24 season” for Real Madrid, Bellingham is arguably the best English young player to ever play abroad at early age. There are several reasons why Bellingham deserves his place at the top of this list. However, even during the turbulent season for Real Madrid, the player was able to perform better.

1. Lamine Yamal

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is arguably the best young football player under the age of 21 in 2024. The 16-year-old wonderkid is the youngest player in the history of Barcelona to play in La Liga. The Spanish winger is already at the same level of Kylian Mbappe and is expected to be one of the greatest club legends at Barcelona. His recent exploits in Spain’s victorious campaign at Euro 2024 accurately demonstrate his potential and greatness. It will be shocking if Yamal doesn’t win a Ballon d’Or title in near future, given his potential and scoring ability.

His rapid rise, including top scorer titles at the U17 Algarve Tournament and UEFA Under-17, put the spotlight on him. With a €180m market value and 20 international caps, Yamal’s vision and accuracy make him indispensable for Barcelona and now also for the Spanish national side, justifying his ranking as the world’s premier young footballer in 2025. Yamal is one of the most exciting names in world football today. He is the only player with a Cristiano Ronaldo like personality and Lionel Messi like footballing skills. His ability to contribute to the present, as well as his potential, make him the best young player in the world in 2025.