From dazzling forwards and creative midfielders to commanding defenders, a new generation of young prospects are taking the world by storm, writes Dylan Appolis.
RIO NGUMOHA
Club: Liverpool
Age: 17
Position: Left winger
Country of origin: England
Liverpool teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha is a highly promising talent and one of the top prospects in English football. Ngumoha’s rapid rise through the ranks at Liverpool has been nothing short of remarkable. He has already made significant strides in his professional career, having broken into the Reds’ senior team this season. The 17-year-old made history by becoming Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer, and his explosive pace, technical skill, composure in front of goal, and impact on the field, suggest he could potentially become a world-class talent.
IBRAHIM RABBAJ
Club: Chelsea
Age: 16
Position: Attacking midfielder
Country of origin: Morocco
Ibrahim Rabbaj has quickly risen through the ranks at Chelsea and is one of their most exciting prospects. The 16-year-old has already earned comparisons to Lionel Messi due to his exceptional dribbling, quick feet, creativity, and versatility as an attacking midfielder or winger, making him one of the top prospects to watch in the future. Although he has not yet made his senior debut for Chelsea, Rabbaj has the potential to make a difference in the Blues squad if he continues his development.
CLAUDIO ECHEVERRI
Club: Bayer Leverkusen (on loan from Manchester City)
Age: 19
Position: Attacking midfielder
Country of origin: Argentina
Claudio Echeverri is regarded as one of South America’s brightest young playmakers, which secured him a move to Manchester City, but he was loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen to further his development. Echeverri made a name for himself following his impressive performances for River Plate and the Argentina youth team during the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, in which he won the Bronze Boot. Like Ibrahim Rabbaj, Echeverri has also drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi thanks to his close control and strong dribbling ability, vision, and playmaking skill, and his keen eye for goal, which earned him the nickname “El Diablito”.
FRANCESCO CAMARDA
Club: Lecce (on loan from AC Milan)
Age: 17
Position: Centre-forward
Country of origin: Italy
Francesco Camarda has been considered the new golden boy of Italian football and has been compared to legends such as Michael Owen and Filippo Inzaghi. The Italian has already written his name in football’s history books after he became the youngest debutant in Serie A history at 15 years and 260 days and the youngest Italian debutant in the UEFA Champions League. Camarda has already shown glimpses of what he is capable of. He has racked up a reputation for his deadly goal-scoring ability with both feet, his physical presence and aerial threat, and his exceptional ball control.
GEOVANY QUENDA
Club: Sporting CP
Age: 18
Position: Right winger
Country of origin: Portugal
After rising through the ranks at Sporting CP, Geovany Quenda has been labelled as one of Portugal’s best young players. Quenda already has elite dribbling ability, exceptional pace, high football IQ, and versatility to play on the wing and at wing-back, which earned him the crown as the Best Young Player of the 24/25 Portuguese League season The 18-year-old has the potential to become a world-class player, and he will continue his development at Chelsea next season after securing a £40 million move to the Blues.
RODRIGO MORA
Club: FC Porto
Age: 18
Position: Attacking midfield
Country of origin: Portugal
Rodrigo Mora is one of the brightest young talents to come through FC Porto’s academy ranks and is considered a big talent for the future of Portuguese football. The 18-year-old has already broken into the first team but is yet to cement a regular starting berth. Mora has been praised for his overall gameplay, vision, and maturity, and has been compared to Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for his goal-scoring and playmaking abilities. However, he has room to grow and improve in the hopes of becoming the next best player for his country.
SVERRE NYPAN
Club: Middlesbrough (on loan from Manchester City)
Age: 18
Position: Central midfield
Country of origin: Norway
Sverre Nypan is considered one of Norway’s top prospects and has been labelled as the ‘next Martin Odegaard’. The 18-year-old completed his move to Manchester City from Rosenborg BK for a deal worth £12.5m, but he was subsequently loaned out to Middlesbrough. The Norwegian already has an exceptional football IQ, likes to dribble with the ball, is known for his technical ability, and is versatile enough to play anywhere in the midfield, whether as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, or false nine. Nypan has the potential to become one of the top midfielders in Europe, having already shown glimpses of elite-level football.
AYYOUB BOUADDI
Club: Lille
Age: 18
Position: Central midfield
Country of origin: France
Ayyoub Bouaddi is one of Europe’s top young talents and has been lighting up the stage in Ligue 1 with Lille. The 18-year-old has been described as the club’s most exciting talent to come through the ranks at Lille since Eden Hazard. Bouaddi made history by becoming the youngest player in Ligue 1 since 1981 and the youngest Lille player to debut in a European club competition. His incredible potential is limitless, and it will be hard for the French outfit to keep their hands on him.
JULIEN DURANVILLE
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Age: 19
Position: Left winger
Country of origin: Belgium
Julien Duranville is one of the most highly rated young players to come out of Belgian football in years. The 19-year-old is already considered a potential contender for future Ballon d’Or awards. Despite several injuries during his time at Borussia Dortmund, Duranville has already proven himself to be a top talent. He has made a number of appearances for Dortmund’s senior team and earned call-ups to the Belgian national team. While Duranville is still in the development stage of his career, he has shown his electric pace, good close control, and tricky dribbling ability with a strong work rate.
FRANCO MASTANTUONO
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 18
Position: Right winger
Country of origin: Argentina
Argentine prodigy Franco Mastantuono has established himself as one of the world’s brightest young talents. The 18-year-old secured a move to Real Madrid during the offseason and has already secured his place in the senior team with some impressive performances for Xabi Alonso’s side. Mastantuono has been described as Argentina’s future. He has already played for the senior national team, where he was given the iconic No.10 jersey, previously worn by Lionel Messi. The Argentine could potentially become one of the world’s best, with his masterful dribbling ability, vision, set-piece ability, and versatility in playing free in an attacking role.
