Football fans are always searching for the next big name destined to dominate the sport. With rising stars like Lamine Yamal and Endrick already making waves – commanding massive transfer fees and amassing millions of followers – the future of football is being shaped by the next generation of talent.
But who are the hottest prospects in the game today? We’ve analyzed some of the most influential players under 21 based on transfer value, on-field impact, and social media presence.
With a recent influx of young players from the Brasileirão Série A, we’ve also delved deeper into the wave of young Brazilian talent taking center stage in Europe.
Table of Contents
The Best Young Attacking Football Players
To assess the most promising young attacking players, we’ve looked at goals and assists per 90 minutes alongside broader factors like market value and social media reach. Based on these factors, here are the top ten attacking players under 21.
| Club (first team) | National team | |||||||||||||||
| Rank | Name | Age | Nationality | Position | Team | League | Estimated market value | Minutes played | Goals per 90 mins | Assists per 90 mins | Minutes played | Goals per 90 mins | Assists per 90 mins | Instagram following | Annual salary | Future star score (/10) |
| 1 | Lamine Yamal | 17 | Spanish | RW | Barcelona | La Liga | €180.0m | 5,461 | 0.30 | 0.34 | 1,111 | 0.24 | 0.65 | 26,500,000 | €2.09m | 8.51 |
| 2 | Arda Güler | 19 | Turkish | CAM | Real Madrid | La Liga | €45.0m | 2,901 | 0.53 | 0.40 | 1,163 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 12,800,000 | €5.20m | 8.32 |
| 3 | Savinho | 20 | Brazilian | LW | Man City | EPL | €55.0m | 6,282 | 0.24 | 0.32 | 505 | 0.18 | 0.36 | 1,700,000 | €2.08m | 7.40 |
| 4 | Gavi | 20 | Spanish | CAM | Barcelona | La Liga | €80.0m | 8,566 | 0.10 | 0.16 | 1,710 | 0.21 | 0.00 | 17,200,000 | €9.38m | 7.09 |
| 5 | Alejandro Garnacho | 20 | Argentinian | LW | Man United | EPL | €50.0m | 6,902 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 273 | 0.00 | 0.33 | 12,000,000 | €2.60m | 6.82 |
| 6 | Yankuba Minteh | 20 | Gambian | RW | Brighton & Hove Albion | EPL | €28.0m | 4,064 | 0.40 | 0.27 | 873 | 0.41 | 0.21 | 103,000 | €2.08m | 6.70 |
| 7 | Kenan Yildiz | 19 | Turkish | LW | Juventus | Serie A | €45.0m | 3,477 | 0.26 | 0.10 | 1,023 | 0.18 | 0.18 | 2,600,000 | €3.70m | 6.63 |
| 8 | Endrick | 18 | Brazilian | ST | Real Madrid | La Liga | €40.0m | 3,173 | 0.62 | 0.03 | 349 | 0.77 | 0.00 | 14,500,000 | €4.16m | 6.17 |
| 9 | Eliesse Ben Seghir | 19 | Moroccan | LW | Monaco | Ligue 1 | €30.0m | 3,552 | 0.33 | 0.15 | 548 | 0.49 | 0.33 | 616,000 | €0.60m | 6.09 |
| 9 | Evan Ferguson | 20 | Irish | ST | West Ham United | EPL | €40.0m | 3,557 | 0.43 | 0.10 | 1,021 | 0.35 | 0.09 | 239,000 | €1.56m | 6.09 |
1. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, La Liga)
Age: 17
Nationality: Spanish
Position: Right winger
Future star score: 8.51/10
At age 17, Lamine Yamal has already become a key figure for Barcelona and Spain, and his €180 million market value makes him the most valuable young attacker in the world. After becoming Barcelona’s youngest-ever player at just 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days, he’s already clocked up 5,461 minutes for the Catalan giants, contributing 0.30 goals and 0.34 assists per 90 minutes. He’s also having an impact with the Spanish national team, with 0.24 goals and 0.65 assists per 90 minutes. These include three assists and the Goal of the Tournament as Spain won Euro 2024, where he was also named Young Player of the Tournament.
His massive 26.5 million Instagram followers reflect his growing influence both on and off the pitch, and with an annual salary of €2.09m, his value is only expected to rise.
2. Arda Güler (Real Madrid, La Liga)
Age: 19
Nationality: Turkish
Position: Right winger
Future star score: 8.32/10
Real Madrid’s young Turkish sensation, Arda Güler, has also been making waves with his technical ability and eye for goal. He has a slightly better goal-scoring rate at club level than Yamal, with 0.53 goals and 0.40 assists per 90 minutes. However, he has played almost half as many minutes despite being two years older. At the international level, his contribution has been more modest (0.23 goals and 0.23 assists per 90 minutes), but his €5.2 million annual salary and 12.8 million Instagram followers show his growing stature in the game. He’s widely seen as one of the most exciting prospects in Europe and has been dubbed the “Turkish Messi”.
3. Savinho (Manchester City, Premier League)
Age: 20
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Left winger
Future star score: 7.40/10
Savinho, the top-rated Brazilian youngster, has developed into a dynamic attacking threat and this season earned himself a move to Premier League champions Manchester City. He has played the most club minutes (6,282) of the top three, including spells at Troyes, PSV, and Girona after leaving Atlético Mineiro of the Campeonato Brasileirão Série A.
A well-rounded attacker, he has a career record of 0.24 goals and 0.32 assists per 90 minutes throughout his appearances for these clubs. While his international minutes are more limited (505 minutes for Brazil), his per-90 contributions (0.18 goals and 0.36 assists) suggest he is adapting well to international football. Despite a modest Instagram following (1.7 million), his €2.08 million salary and high market value show that he is a rising force in world football.
The Best Young Defensive Football Players
Defensive players often develop later than attacking talents, but some young stars are already proving themselves at the highest level. Here are the top three based on the same factors as above, except for analyzing interceptions and tackles rather than goals and assists.
| Club (first team) | National team | |||||||||||||||
| Rank | Name | Age | Nationality | Position | Team | League | Estimated market value | Minutes played | Interceptions per 90 mins | Tackles won per 90 mins | Minutes played | Interceptions per 90 mins | Tackles won per 90 mins | Instagram following | Annual salary | Future star score (/10) |
| 1 | João Neves | 20 | Portuguese | CDM | Paris Saint-Germain | Ligue 1 | €60.0m | 6,165 | 1.24 | 2.34 | 490 | 2.00 | 1.67 | 694,000 | €9.09m | 8.85 |
| 2 | Warren Zaïre-Emery | 18 | French | CDM | Paris Saint-Germain | Ligue 1 | €60.0m | 6,560 | 1.04 | 0.85 | 198 | 3.00 | 1.00 | 1,000,000 | €8.40m | 7.66 |
| 3 | Kobbie Mainoo | 19 | English | CDM | Manchester United | Premier League | €55.0m | 4,117 | 0.96 | 1.51 | 623 | 1.20 | 1.00 | 3,300,000 | €1.04m | 7.47 |
| 4 | Arthur Vermeeren | 19 | Belgian | CDM | RB Leipzig | Bundesliga | €25.0m | 5,674 | 1.51 | 1.54 | 359 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 66,300 | €2.83m | 7.40 |
| 5 | Jorrel Hato | 18 | Dutch | LB | Ajax | Eredivisie | €30.0m | 7,514 | 1.04 | 1.33 | 250 | 0.71 | 1.07 | 102,000 | €1.02m | 7.05 |
| 6 | Pau Cubarsí | 18 | Spanish | CB | Barcelona | La Liga | €70.0m | 4,685 | 0.66 | 0.84 | 162 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 3,200,000 | €4.00m | 6.71 |
| 7 | Rico Lewis | 20 | English | RB | Manchester City | Premier League | €40.0m | 5,337 | 0.59 | 1.01 | 371 | 0.49 | 0.98 | 1,100,000 | €1.30m | 6.44 |
| 8 | Hugo Larsson | 20 | Swedish | CDM | Eintracht Frankfurt | Bundesliga | €35.0m | 7,174 | 1.63 | 0.99 | 333 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 67,000 | €1.89m | 6.28 |
| 9 | Lewis Hall | 20 | English | LB | Newcastle United | Premier League | €25.0m | 4,268 | 1.08 | 1.48 | 135 | 0.67 | 0.67 | 254,000 | €0.36m | 5.71 |
| 10 | Andrey Santos | 20 | Brazilian | CDM | Strasbourg | Ligue 1 | €25.0m | 6,160 | 0.98 | 2.11 | 64 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 877,000 | €0.90m | 4.98 |
1. João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1)
Age: 20
Nationality: Portuguese
Position: Defensive midfielder
Future star score: 8.85/10
João Neves has emerged as one of the most promising defensive midfielders in world football. In his debut season, he helped Benfica win the league title before moving to Paris Saint-Germain for a €60 million transfer fee. His defensive solidity is highlighted by his 1.24 interceptions and 2.34 tackles won per 90 minutes during his time at both clubs. His international performances for Portugal are even more impressive, with 2.00 interceptions and 1.67 tackles per 90 minutes in his limited appearances. His €9.09 million annual salary reflects PSG’s confidence in him, and his market value of €60 million suggests he is one of the most sought-after young midfielders in Europe.
2. Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1)
Age: 18
Nationality: French
Position: Defensive midfielder
Future star score: 7.66/10
Another PSG prodigy, Warren Zaïre-Emery, is a highly technical defensive midfielder who has already made a name in Ligue 1. In 2022, he became the club’s youngest-ever player and goal scorer and the youngest player in UEFA Champions League history to start a knockout phase match, all before turning 17. He also won his first Ligue 1 title in the same year and a domestic treble the following season. He has 1.04 interceptions and 0.85 tackles per 90 minutes for PSG, but his numbers skyrocket when playing for France (3.00 interceptions and one tackle per 90 minutes).
His defensive intelligence, work rate, and composure in midfield make him one of Europe’s most exciting young players. His €8.40 million annual salary shows that PSG sees him as a significant investment for the future.
3. Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United, Premier League)
Age: 19
Nationality: English
Position: Defensive midfielder
Future star score: 7.47/10
Kobbie Mainoo has been a breakout star for Manchester United, impressing with his 0.96 interceptions and 1.51 tackles won per 90 minutes. He’s also coped with the step up to international football, with 1.20 interceptions and one tackle per 90 minutes for England. A United youth system graduate, he won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2023 and has become a key figure in their midfield. Despite his relatively modest €1.04 million salary, his 3.3 million Instagram followers show he is already a fan favorite.
The Best Young Brazilian Football Players
Brazil has always been a powerhouse of footballing talent, and the next generation continues this tradition with some outstanding young players making waves in Europe. Savinho, Endrick, and Andrey Santos stand out among the best.
| Attacking players | ||||||||||||||
| Club (first team) | National team | |||||||||||||
| Rank | Name | Age | Position | Team | League | Estimated market value | Minutes played | Goals per 90 mins | Assists per 90 mins | Minutes played | Goals per 90 mins | Assists per 90 mins | Instagram following | Annual salary |
| 1 | Savinho | 20 | LW | Manchester City | Premier League | €55.0m | 6,282 | 0.24 | 0.32 | 505 | 0.18 | 0.36 | 1,700,000 | €2.08m |
| 2 | Endrick | 18 | ST | Real Madrid | La Liga | €40.0m | 3,173 | 0.62 | 0.03 | 349 | 0.77 | 0.00 | 14,500,000 | €4.16m |
| 3 | Vitor Roque | 19 | ST | Betis | La Liga | €20.0m | 6,289 | 0.46 | 0.10 | 26 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3,400,000 | €3.50m |
| 4 | Ângelo Gabriel | 20 | RW | Al-Nassr | Saudi Pro League | €10.0m | 5,616 | 0.06 | 0.21 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 701,000 | €3.57m |
| 5 | Matheus França | 20 | CAM | Crystal Palace | Premier League | €13.0m | 1,523 | 0.41 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 475,000 | €2.08m |
| 6 | Wesley | 19 | LW | Al-Nassr | Saudi Pro League | €6.0m | 3,228 | 0.14 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,400,000 | €3.06m |
| 7 | Luis Guilherme | 18 | RW | West Ham United | Premier League | €22.0m | 1,100 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 353,000 | €1.30m |
| 8 | Deivid Washington | 19 | ST | Chelsea | Premier League | €9.0m | 727 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 301,000 | €2.01m |
| 9 | Isaac | 20 | ST | Nacional | Primeira Liga | €0.6m | 952 | 0.28 | 0.09 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | N/A | €0.24m |
| Defensive players | ||||||||||||||
| Club (first team) | National team | |||||||||||||
| Rank | Name | Age | Position | Team | League | Estimated market value | Minutes played | Interceptions per 90 mins | Tackles won per 90 mins | Minutes played | Interceptions per 90 mins | Tackles won per 90 mins | Instagram following | Salary |
| 1 | Andrey Santos | 20 | CDM | Strasbourg | Ligue 1 | €25.0m | 6,160 | 0.98 | 2.11 | 64 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 877,000 | €0.90m |
| 2 | Gabriel Moscardo | 19 | CDM | Reims | Ligue 1 | €12.0m | 1,591 | 1.24 | 1.75 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 427,000 | €0.90m |
| 3 | Pedro Lima | 18 | RB | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Premier League | €5.0m | 842 | 1.17 | 2.02 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 129,000 | €0.78m |
| 4 | Victor Hugo | 20 | CDM | Göztepe | Süper Lig | €5.0m | 3,831 | 0.77 | 0.99 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 880,000 | €0.50m |
Savinho (Manchester City, Premier League)
Age: 20
Position: Left winger
Born in São Mateus, Espírito Santo, Sávio Moreira de Oliveira, better known as Savinho, started his career at Atlético Mineiro, a club renowned for developing top Brazilian talent. At just 16 years old, he made his first-team debut in 2020, quickly catching the eye with his speed, dribbling, and creativity on the wing.
His performances earned him a move to Troyes, a club under City Football Group, but he was immediately loaned to PSV Eindhoven, where he thrived. His European breakthrough led to a step up, joining Manchester City, where he is now establishing himself in the Premier League.
With 6,282 minutes played at club level and a steady goal contribution (0.24 goals and 0.32 assists per 90 minutes), he is proving to be an important player. His international numbers (0.18 goals, 0.36 assists per 90 minutes for Brazil) also show promise, and his €2.08 million salary shows his growing status.
Endrick (Real Madrid, La Liga)
Age: 18
Position: Striker
Endrick exploded onto the scene at Palmeiras, one of Brazil’s most historic clubs, and has been widely tipped to follow in the footsteps of Brazilian legends like Ronaldo and Romário. Born just outside Brasília, he joined Palmeiras’ academy at 11 years old, with viral clips of his goals making him a sensation before he had even turned professional.
His official first-team debut came in 2022 at 16, and he became the youngest goal scorer in Palmeiras’ history shortly after. His physicality, finishing ability, and composure in front of goal quickly drew interest from Europe’s biggest clubs, leading to a move to Real Madrid for a fee reported as €60 million.
Despite his age, Endrick’s goal record speaks for itself – 0.62 goals per 90 minutes at club level and an even better 0.77 goals per 90 minutes for Brazil. With 14.5 million Instagram followers, he’s already a star in the making, and his €4.16 million salary suggests Madrid is betting big on his future.
Andrey Santos (Strasbourg, Ligue 1)
Age: 20
Position: Defensive midfielder
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Andrey Santos made a name for himself at Vasco da Gama, one of Brazil’s most historic clubs. He joined their academy at 7, progressing through the ranks to make his first-team debut at 16. His standout performances as a box-to-box midfielder in Brazil’s second division led to a move to Chelsea in 2023.
Chelsea see him as a long-term project, so he’s spent his time in Europe on loan at various clubs, currently at Strasbourg in Ligue 1. With 0.98 interceptions and 2.11 tackles per 90 minutes, he is proving to be a dominant presence in midfield. While he has had limited minutes for Brazil’s senior team, his success at the youth level, where he captained Brazil to an undefeated victory in the 2023 South American U-20 Championship, has cemented his status as a future Seleção star.
His €900,000 salary and nearly 900,000 Instagram followers show that he is still on the rise, but he has all the tools to develop into a top-tier midfielder.
The Best Young Players XI
Based on the Future Star Scores, we’ve assembled a Best XI, bringing together the most exciting young talents in world football. These players have already made an impact at club level and, in many cases, for their national teams. Here’s how they line up:
Methodology
We created a seed list of global footballers aged 20 and under who play for their club’s first team, using Football Transfers’ best future stars. We categorized them as either attacking or defensive players, excluding goalkeepers.
Each was then given a normalized score out of 10 for the following factors before an average of these scores was taken.
- Goals per 90 mins (attacking players only)
- Assists per 90 mins (attacking players only)
- Tackles won per 90 mins (defensive players only)
- Interceptions per 90 mins (defensive players only)
- Number of national team and club first-team appearances
The above were all sourced from FBref and are correct as of February 10th, 2025.
- Estimated market value sourced from Transfermarkt
- Estimated salary sourced from Capology
- Number of Instagram followers as of February 7th, 2025.
