20 Best Teenagers in World Football Right Now

You know the phrase: out with the old, in with the new. And that bodes well in the footballing world, especially when there is a boatload of talented youngsters waiting patiently in the wings for their shot at senior action or are already tearing it up. Teenagers often bring a different layer of possibility to a team: a tireless work ethic, the willingness to bust a gut, a penchant for grasping every opportunity with every fibre in their body – aspects that often go amiss in more established senior players.

But not all academy prospects get that chance because, well, football is a business at the end of the day and, despite the warm feeling of a youngster being promoted to senior action, the best players tend to get game time, irrespective of age. It’s as simple as that.

That being said, there are a host of teenage phenomenons currently stamping their authority in the Premier League and elsewhere in the world – from ever-flourishing defenders to midfielders wise beyond their years to forwards that just have that knack for goalscoring. And to celebrate their talent, GIVEMESPORT have assembled a list of the 20 best teenagers in world football – ranked in order.

Just missing out on the top ten is Tyler Dibling and Archie Gray. The Premier League pair have impressed despite their young ages over the last season. Kendry Paez and Francesco Camarda, who was scoring an average of five goals in every game he played in AC Milan’s youth setup before graduating, followed suit. Meanwhile, Senny Mayulu – who has been a revelation for Champions League holders PSG over the last few months – takes 15th.

World football is full of incredibly talented young players and we’ve compiled the most valuable teenagers on the planet.

Claudio Echeverri just misses out on the top 15, while Ayyoub Bouaddi does too. Chelsea-bound Geovany Quenda, Borussia Dortmund sensation Julien Duranville and 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono round out the rest of the top 20, with all three almost certainly guaranteed for bright futures.

10Leny Yoro

Manchester United + France

However, given the fact United beat Real Madrid and Liverpool to his signature should say a lot in itself. He was certainly one of the more comfortable figures in last season’s defence, even if he had some injury issues to overcome.

9Roony Bardghji

Barcelona + Sweden

At just 19, Bardghji has already built an impressive resume. A €2 million summer signing from FC Copenhagen, he joins Barcelona on a four-year deal until 2029, reflecting a smart, low-risk investment by the Catalans this summer. His reputation is already well-earned – recording 84 appearances, 15 goals, and Champions League experience, including becoming one of the youngest scorers ever, netting against Manchester United at 17 years and 358 days.

Despite a serious knee injury that sidelined him for almost a year, Bardghji has returned with his trademark speed, dribbling, and one-on-one flair. Coaches compare his style to early Eden Hazard, noting his adaptability and eye for goal. Born in Kuwait and raised in Sweden, he’s already a Swedish U21 international, showing maturity and international pedigree, while Camp Nou will no doubt prove to be the perfect place for him to find another gear, or two, or even three.

8Willian Estevao

Chelsea + Brazil

It’s only since the Club World Cup kicked off this summer that Chelsea supporters have truly begun to see what to expect from Willian Estevao. After spending last season on loan with Palmeiras, the Brazilian wonderkid proved he’s ready to slot straight into Enzo Maresca’s side next term – starting most of Chelsea’s games on the right wing and playing a key role in their run to winning the revamped tournament.

Nicknamed “Messinho” for his stylistic resemblance to both Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, the teenager has a knack for turning defenders inside out. With sharp movement and a fearless, direct approach, he thrives in one-on-one situations, often drawing markers in before leaving them eating dust, which will no doubt complement Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro in the Premier League.

7Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal and England

The second major breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium last season was Ethan Nwaneri. Arsenal fans have been calling for the forward to be handed more opportunities in the first-team, and he’s more than made the most of his chances since. Mikel Arteta has a very talented young man on his hands with Nwaneri.

The 18-year-old scored nine times for the Gunners across 37 appearances in all competitions last season and, with the club needing a prolific goalscorer leading the front lines, he might be the perfect candidate for the job as he continues to develop into a world-class footballer.

6Jorrel Hato

Ajax and The Netherlands

The 19-year-old played 50 times for his club last season and has taken to first-team football seamlessly. After showing maturity well beyond his years, he’s now on the verge of a mega-money move to Chelsea and should be a key figure for the Blues for many years to come.

Arsenal could be set to raid Ajax once more after taking Jurrien Timber off their hands last summer…

5Endrick

Real Madrid and Brazil

Endrick really announced his name on the international stage against England. A cute finish, the youngster – just 19 years of age – notched home the only goal of the game, and it’s no surprise that Real Madrid secured his signature so early into his career. Since putting pen to paper for Los Blancos, game time may have been scarce but courted as ‘one for the future’ and the glittering Brazilian has plenty of years left in the tank.

Born in 2006, the world really is Endrick’s oyster. He has already cemented his name in Palmeiras mythology – but his career is poised to reach potentially unrivalled heights since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu last summer. No doubt one of the most exciting prospects in world football, the 14-cap, three-goal international could go on to reach the same level as Brazil greats. Watch this space.

4Myles Lewis-Skelly

Arsenal and England

For the longest time, Arsenal have had issues at left-back, but that now appears to be a thing of the past with Myles Lewis-Skelly’s emergence this season. The teenager has burst onto the scene at the club and is showing wisdom and composure well beyond his years so far.

His ability to drive forward has caused problems for his opponents this season and he rarely looks out of his depth despite his age. His masterclasses against Manchester City and Real Madrid underline what has been an excellent campaign so far for Lewis-Skelly and if he continues to progress at the level he is right now, the Gunners will have another major star on their hands, even if a penchant for a sending off needs to be ironed out.

3Warren Zaire-Emery

Paris Saint-Germain and France

Out goes Marco Verratti, in goes Warren Zaire-Emery – almost a like-for-like replacement – meaning that the Italian’s departure in September 2023 has gone somewhat unnoticed. In a team bolstered by players with staggering price tags and heaps of elite-level experience, the 19-year-old waltzed into the centre of the park and hasn’t looked out of place for one minute.

Embodying the ‘old head on young shoulders’ phrase, the importance of Zaire-Emery in the Paris-based side highlights a changing of the guard as he represents a commanding figure, despite only just being old enough to buy a pint in most countries. He can dictate games better than some of Europe’s most seasoned midfielders. Scary hours for those in the French top division, and PSG will face a stern test in keeping it for much longer than this term, though that elusive first Champions League title might just have changed his mind.

2Pau Cubarsi

Barcelona and Spain

Emerging as Inigo Martinez’s partner in crime in the heart of the Barcelona defence has been 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi – 16 years the aforementioned defender’s junior. Not overly imposing at just 6ft tall, the youngster’s modern-looking traits set him up to be a long-term option for La Masia in the future – and, in fact, right now.

An unbelievable passer of the ball, too, there are not many that have the ability to perform at the levels that he is able to. He also possesses a layer of freshness, thanks to his age, which sees him able to keep up with some of La Liga’s speedsters – an invaluable idiosyncrasy which propels him to another level among his positional peers who are of a similar age.

1Lamine Yamal

Barcelona and Spain

Being produced by the same academy set-up that formed the brilliance of Lionel Messi that all football fans know and adore is no easy feat. The pressure, especially at just 18 years of age, is enough to make the finest of footballers crumble, but not Yamal. He has taken to senior life in Blaugrana like a duck to water.

The teen phenomenon featured in 50 games for Barcelona in the 2023/24 season and his 17 goal contributions were an insane return for a 16-year-old. While opponents currently consider his story awe-inspiring, that will not be the case for much longer should he continue this stratospheric trajectory.

After a stellar showing at Euro 2024, Yamal also now holds the record for youngest player to appear at a European Championship, the youngest player to score at a European Championship, and also the youngest-ever player to start a major international tournament final – which broke a 66-year record previously held by none other than Pele. Generational.