Sometimes it’s obvious in football which young players are destined for greatness. Lionel Messi is the one example that immediately springs to mind, although there are many others. It was patently clear that the Argentine had the potential to become a world-class footballer just a few years after he joined Barcelona aged 13.

Similarly, there are a handful of youngsters aged 21 or under in 2025 who appear to possess all the tools to become truly great footballers. We’re unlikely to see another Messi-esque talent emerge any time soon, but that doesn’t mean they won’t become outstanding players in their own right.

Ranking factors

We’ve ranked the world’s current best young footballers based on the following criteria:

• Achievements so far at club / international level
• Expected potential

25

Kendry Paez | Ecuador, Age 18

Position: Midfielder. Club: Chelsea. DOB: 04/05/2007.

Kendry Paez is coming to the Premier League in 2026 after none other than talent hoarders Chelsea struck an agreement to bring the wonderkid to Stamford Bridge from Independiente del Valle. He was just 15 years old when that deal was agreed for just shy of £20 million.

While that may seem like an extortionate fee for such a young player, Paez is expected to reach a world-class level in the future and fans could look back on that as some of the best business in recent memory. The Ecuadorian midfielder’s incredible touch and ball control are among his best features, which he will be hoping to show on loan at Strasbourg this term.

The biggest moment of his young career came when Paez led his team to victory in the final of the Copa Milo Mitad del Mundo 2022. Currently, the youngster is on loan at Chelsea’s sister club, Strasbourg in Ligue 1, and while the majority of his cameos have been off the bench, he’s certainly caught the eye of many when he’s entered the fray. A real talent for the future is Paez.

24

Jamie Gittens | England, Age 21

Position: Winger. Club: Chelsea. DOB: 08/08/2004

Similarly to Jadon Sancho, Jamie Gittens was an academy player at Manchester City when he decided to take his talents to Borussia Dortmund and continue his development there. Also like Sancho, the move paid off for the Englishman as he emerged into the Bundesliga club’s first-team and became an exciting young talent for them. No one develops players like Dortmund and Gittens is the latest example of that.

The 21-year-old winger had the best season of his young career so far during 2024/25, with 12 goals in all competitions, and it wasn’t too surprising to see Chelsea take notice. Gittens became the latest prospect to move to Stamford Bridge, helping to usher in an exciting new era for the Blues, but he’s yet to fully take the chance with both hands. Enzo Maresca has a wealth of wingers at his disposal – and it’s now on Gittens to take the opportunity with both hands.

23

Dro Fernandez | Spain, Age 17

Position: Midfielder. Club: Barcelona. DOB: 12/01/2008.

Barcelona’s academy – and for good reason, too – is widely recognised as one of the best in world football. It has produced all manner of world-beating stars over the years and next up could be Dro Fernandez. With him being just 17, it may be too early to predict what the future holds for the attacking midfielder, but he’s already adorned himself to the Camp Nou faithful, despite his very small number of appearances.

Primarily used in the Catalan side’s reverse team, Flick has not hesitated to call him up on several occasions – highlighting how crucial he could be in the foreseeable future – and his slight frame could be useful in games when the Spanish juggernauts need someone to pick up the ball and drive at defenders. In fact, you know you’re a brilliant, up-and-coming talent when Chelsea and Manchester City are interested.

22

Milos Kerkez | Hungary, Age 21

Position: Defender. Club: Liverpool. DOB: 07/11/2003.

With Andy Robertson losing a step last season, Liverpool knew it was time to think about replacing their legendary Scottish left-back. Fortunately for Arne Slot, the 2024/25 campaign saw Milos Kerkez emerge at Bournemouth as an elite full-back. The Hungarian international shone for the Cherries as they produced their best-ever season in the top flight.

He was dynamite down the left-hand side and Liverpool fans are thrilled with his arrival at Anfield. There are, however, already questions over whether he’d be able to replicate his form with Bournemouth on Merseyside, but the defender has a blindingly bright future and if he’s even half as good, he’ll still be mightily impressive in the years to come.

21

Nico Paz | Argentina, Age 21

Position: Forward. Club: Como 1907. DOB: 08/09/2004

Real Madrid are typically brilliant at keeping of world football’s brightest talent in their grasp – but that cannot be said for Nico Paz, who is now lighting up Serie A with Cesc Fabregas’ Como 1907. He operates just behind the striker and, so far in 2025/26, has done a terrific job of linking the midfield and forward line of the Italian outfit. Nimble on his feet, the youngster is a joy to watch.

Exclusively chosen by Lionel Messi to be one of ten footballer superstars to wear his newest boots, Paz will be hoping to replicate the brilliance of his compatriot in years to come and the Tottenham Hotspur-linked 21-year-old, who was born in Spain, is on his way to doing so. A six-cap Argentina international already, it is only a matter of time until one of the biggest clubs in Europe swoops in for his signature.

20

Rico Lewis | England, Age 20

Position: Defender. Club: Manchester City. DOB: 21/11/2004.

At such a tender age, Manchester City’s versatile defender Rico Lewis enjoyed a breakthrough season during the 2022/23 campaign and has already been handed several opportunities to impress. To be a regular in Pep Guardiola’s talent-laden side, you must have something special about you. A defender by trade, the Spaniard’s blueprint often leads Lewis to move infield to perform the inverted full-back role, something he has perfected over the years.

The youngster made his England senior debut in November 2023, a day before his 19th birthday and Lewis has since featured for the Three Lions on an additional four occasions. At the time of writing, his career – for club and country – has hit something of a road block but it’s not unfair to say that the sky’s the limit for the defender, who is already regarded as one of the best English teenagers in the sport.

19

Alejandro Garnacho | Argentina, Age 21

Position: Winger. Club: Chelsea. DOB: 01/07/2004.

Alejandro Garnacho‘s time at Manchester United came to a lamentable end in the summer of 2025 after failing to convince Ruben Amorim, but there’s no doubt the Madrid-born winger, who has represented Argentina’s senior national team on eight occasions, is a young player with enormous potential. Opting to remain in England rather than transfer overseas, the young winger moved to Chelsea, and he’s struggled to fit into his new surroundings.

Related

20 Best Young Players in the Premier League [Ranked]

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Rico Lewis and Kobbie Mainoo are among the Premier League’s most talented youngsters.

Garnacho’s direct dribbling style and fearless nature made him a firm fan favourite at Old Trafford during times of struggle throughout Erik ten Hag’s tenure. There are a couple of areas of his game that require fine-tuning, his poor attitude included, but the 21-year-old has the potential to become one of the world’s best wingers if everything clicks.

18

Kobbie Mainoo | England, Age 20

Position: Midfielder. Club: Manchester United. DOB: 19/04/2005.

Kobbie Mainoo burst onto the scene with Manchester United during the 2023/24 season and impressed fans and pundits alike with his remarkably mature performances. Many young players struggle when they’re thrust into a team that isn’t firing on all cylinders, but Manchester-born Mainoo saw this as his opportunity to shine and took it with both hands. Under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim, things haven’t been as fruitful though.

The central midfielder – who turned 20 in April – had forced his way into the England first-team, starting several knockout games for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 and looking comfortable. He may not be in contention for a spot under Thomas Tuchel right now but that’s not to say he isn’t talented enough.

Mainoo, 20, produced the goods in the Premier League week in and week out in his attempts to make that dream a reality, but his form has somewhat dipped last season. There’s even talk that he might end up leaving Old Trafford as he struggles for game time under Ruben Amorim; it’s certainly a story to keep an eye on as the days go by.

17

Max Dowman I England, Age 15

Position: Winger. Club: Arsenal. DOB: 31/12/2009.

Where to start with one of the most exciting talents of the last decade? Come rain or shine, you can bet your bottom dollar that Max Dowman, a 15-year-old prodigy fresh out of Arsenal’s academy ranks, will make defenders look foolish in a 90-minute match. His close control is one thing, but the intangible willingness to drive at a defender is second to none. He’s destined to achieve great things in the beautiful game; and we all have front row seats to watch it unfold.

Given that he is still so young, 2025/26 will not be the season where he becomes indispensable under Mikel Arteta – but that’s not to say he won’t become utterly undroppable in years to come. In fact, should he stay on the red half of north London, there is every chance that he becomes one of the best players in the Premier League. Watch this space!

16

Aleksandar Pavlovic | Germany, Age 21

Position: Midfielder. Club: Bayern Munich. DOB: 03/05/2004.

The goalscoring threat of Harry Kane and the dazzling of Michael Olise on the right means that the likes of engine room patroller Aleksandar Pavlovic go under the radar. The young German, who was born in 2004, is the new breed of defensive midfielders – and there are very few young midfielders that possess the same maturity as the Bayern Munich phenom.

Not only is he defensively sound, but he is a brilliant ball-carrier, too, and often breaks the lines to make a difference further afield; an aspect of his game that is of benefit to Vincent Kompany’s spotlight-stealing forwards. He endured his fair share of injury troubles in the 2024/25 campaign but, when fully fit and raring to go, he’s often stationed as the fulcrum of Kompany’s midfield.