The best young footballers in the world - ranked

Wonderkids. Desired by Europe's elite and adored by Football Manager players, they have become increasingly prominent in recent years.

The fuel of the transfer market, football's whippersnappers have dazzled and wowed at ludicrously young ages, making the majority of supporters feel very, very old. Age is truly just a number to these guys, who continually tangle with experienced heads and come out triumphant.

Europe and South America have a particular knack for producing these awe-inspiring stars, destined for greatness from their teenage years. Right now, there is an abundance of wonderkids, all of whom are already eating at the top table.

Here at 90min, we have compiled a list of the best footballers aged 21 or under. Let's take a closer look.

15. Pau Cubarsi

Pau Cubarsi has enjoyed a sudden rise to prominence. Thrust into the Barcelona first team before he could legally drive himself to training, the centre-back has shown ridiculous composure to battle with some of the world's best forwards.

Already capped multiple times by Spain, elegant is the word that sums up his performances best. He's seldom put a foot wrong for the Catalan giants to date and has proven that La Masia still has a remarkable gift when it comes to talent production.

14. Xavi Simons

Xavi Simons has had an unusual career path. Born in Amsterdam, the winger spent many years in Barcelona's youth setup, eventually making the switch to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

Despite securing a permanent move to PSV Eindhoven in 2022, Simons was so good that PSG swiftly activated his cheap buy-back clause, seeing him return to the French capital.

A brilliant loan spell with RB Leipzig and some impressive displays at Euro 2024 have alerted the world to the young superstar.

13. Bradley Barcola

In many ways, Bradley Barcola is a good old-fashioned winger. The Paris Saint-Germain starlet likes to operate close to the touchline, using his pace and nimbleness to bamboozle opposition full-backs. Whether cutting inside or sprinting to the byline, he normally comes out on top.

The Frenchman, who started his career with Lyon, earned his place at Euro 2024 with some eye-catching performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

12. Endrick

With every passing week, a new Brazilian wonderkid is unearthed. However, Endrick looks the real deal.

Real Madrid splashed the cash on the teenage striker, who continued his development at Palmeiras for over a year after signing a contract with the Spanish giants. Their money appears safe, however, with the Brazil international boasting an impressive scoring rate in his South America.

The youngster still has an awful lot to prove, but he looks like he's ready to make good on his potential.

11. Joao Neves

Benfica certainly have no issues when it comes to forging wonderkids. Every year there is a new dynamo tempting Europe's giants, with the likes of Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Joao Felix having all come through their talent factory.

Joao Neves looks just as special as his predecessors. Shirt tucked in like Rodri, the Portugal international plays with a similar blend of grace and ferocity to the Spanish star.

10. Kobbie Mainoo

Despite having already scored the winner in an FA Cup final for Manchester United, that feels like just the beginning for Kobbie Mainoo. In fact, it may prove nothing more than a footnote come the end of what promises to be an exceptional career.

Nicknamed the 'Stockport Seedorf', England rarely produce such complete midfielders. Brilliant in the challenge, exceptional with the ball at his feet and capable of a worldie, there is simply nothing this young man can't do on a football pitch.

9. Warren Zaire-Emery

It's easy to forget just how young Warren Zaire-Emery still is, with the exceptional midfielder breaking into PSG's first team at the age of 16 during the 2022/23 campaign.

Another delicate midfielder, Zaire-Emery has established himself as a key member of the PSG squad, learning first-hand from the likes of Fabian Ruiz and Marco Verratti.

His impressive PSG displays earned him a spot at Euro 2024 with France.

8. Arda Guler

When you receive a call from Real Madrid, it's impossible to ignore. That proved the case for young Turkish sensation Arda Guler in 2023, who showed glimpses of his talent during his debut season with Los Blancos despite significant injuries.

The diminutive attacking midfielder shone again at Euro 2024 with Turkey and is already a Champions League winner. The sky truly is the limit for the former Fenerbahce ace.

7. Pedri

If it were not for injuries, Pedri could well be topping this list right now. The Barcelona midfielder has struggled to shake off consistent fitness issues, hampering his development in Catalonia.

Having said that, he remains a superb talent. The Spain international, who was part of the Euro 2024-winning squad, has always displayed an exceptional passing range and an eye for goal, inheriting Andres Iniesta's fabled number eight jersey.

If he can stay fit, he can blossom into one of football's greats.

6. Gavi

Barcelona's ability to produce graceful but tenacious midfielders is second to none, with Gavi another example of the stellar work done by La Masia. The fiery starlet swiftly rose through the ranks and has now become an integral figure in the engine room for Barca.

An anterior cruciate ligament tear ruled him out for the bulk of the 2023/24 campaign, forcing him to miss out on Euro 2024 glory, but if he can pick up from where he left off when he recovers, there is no limit on how much he can achieve.

5. Eduardo Camavinga

Eduardo Camavinga took his time to settle at the Santiago Bernabeu following his move from Rennes in 2021. He's still not a guaranteed starter in midfield for Los Blancos, although he features regularly from the bench even when not chosen in the XI.

The French star can act as a destroyer in the centre of the park and has even showcased his defensive capabilities at left-back previously. However, he's also a powerful runner capable of supporting more creative players in the final third.

He already has two Champions League titles under his belt and a World Cup final appearance.

4. Florian Wirtz

A significant injury threatened to derail Florian Wirtz's early career, but the German attacking midfielder came back swinging for the 2023/24 campaign. Named the Bundesliga Player of the Season, his regular goal contributions helped Bayer Leverkusen ease to a first ever Meisterschale.

There was also DFB-Pokal glory for the youngster, who shone at Euro 2024 for hosts Germany.

A perfect number 10, Wirtz has a knack for finding space in the final third. When he gets the ball, he has the quality to take advantage of that space, with incredible playmaking and a thunderous right boot.

3. Jamal Musiala

Germany boast two of the best attacking midfielders in world football right now, with Bayern Munich's wonderkid Jamal Musiala already among Europe's elite operators.

Capable of playing in behind a central striker or out wide, the fleet-footed former Chelsea academy product glides effortlessly across the turf, dodging challenges as he weaves in and out of traffic.

At the end of a mazy run, there is often an accurate finish.

2. Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal astounded for Barcelona during the 2023/24 season, but it was at Euro 2024 where he really earned his stripes. Some exquisite displays in the early rounds were followed by a sensational strike in a semi-final win over France.

The teenager's excellent performances on the right wing won him Young Player of the Tournament, as well as helping Spain lift the trophy in Berlin. It was a coming of age event for the La Masia graduate.

The twinkle-toed forward is a generational talent and already among the world's most devastating attackers.

1. Jude Bellingham

Birmingham City were ridiculed when they retired Jude Bellingham's number 22 shirt following his move to Borussia Dortmund as a teenager. No one is mocking them anymore.

Blossoming as a box-to-box midfielder in Germany, the England star took no time adjusting to life at Real Madrid. Operating as a striker and a number ten during his debut season in the Spanish capital, he has already decided Clasicos with his goals, fired Real to La Liga glory and won the Champions League.

Playing with a swagger that simply can't be taught, there are few better players in world football than Bellingham. The fact that he is so young makes his success even more astonishing.

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