15 Best Young Soccer Players To Watch In 2024

Enzo Fernández is a midfield marvel woven from composure and fire. At 22, he boasts a World Cup title, a British transfer record, and a skill set that blends defensive steel with playmaking panache. 

Signed by Chelsea in 2023, Fernandez has seamlessly adapted to the Premier League, displaying maturity beyond his years. His precise passing, ability to navigate tight spaces, and knack for scoring crucial goals make him a dynamic force on the field. 

• Current Team: Chelsea (number 8)
• Country: Argentina 
• Position: Midfielder

Joško Gvardiol is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Manchester City and the Croatian national team. Born on January 23, 2002, this Croatian centre-back joined City on a high-profile transfer and his impact was immediate. 

He made his senior international debut for Croatia in 2021, and was a key part of their squad that finished third at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

• Current Team: Manchester City (number 24)
• Position: Centre-back, left-back
• Country: Croatia

Gabriel Martinelli, a dynamic force at Arsenal, encapsulates the essence of youthful brilliance on the football field. At just 22 years old, he’s already a blur of pace, trickery, and lethal finishing down the left flank.

His breakout season in 2022-23 saw him net 15 Premier League goals. He terrorized defenses with his direct runs, bamboozling them with deft touches and leaving them grasping at the air as he bursts past. 

• Current Team: Arsenal (number 11)
• Position: Left winger, forward
• Country: Brazil

Aurélien Tchouaméni, the rising star at Real Madrid, has swiftly become a linchpin in the club’s midfield. Towering at 6’2″ with the grace of a gazelle, this 23-year-old Frenchman is a force to be reckoned with. 

Tchouaméni’s not just about the present, he’s the future of French football, already a mainstay in Didier Deschamps’ squad. Let’s not forget his dazzling performance at the 2022 World Cup, solidifying his place as a rising star with his crucial goal against England in the quarter-finals.

• Current Team: Real Madrid (number 18)
• Position: Defensive midfielder
• Country: France

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian sensation at Napoli, is making waves in Italian football with his captivating style of play. This 22-year-old phenom arrived at Napoli in 2022 and instantly transformed their attack. 

As Kvaratskhelia continues to mesmerize football enthusiasts with his skill set, Napoli fans can anticipate a thrilling chapter in their team’s journey, led by this emerging Georgian star.

• Current Team: Napoli (number 77)
• Position: Winger
• Country: Georgia

Florian Wirtz, the young maestro at Bayer Leverkusen, is capturing the football world’s attention with his extraordinary talent. Born on May 3, 2003, the German midfielder has rapidly emerged as one of the brightest prospects in European football. 

Wirtz’s ascent has been meteoric, he netted a goal on his Bundesliga debut at 17, the youngest to 50 appearances before 19, and is already a mainstay in the German national team.

• Current Team: Bayer Leverkusen (number 10)
• Position: Attacking midfielder, left winger
• Country: Germany 

Eduardo Camavinga, the midfield sensation at Real Madrid, has brought a breath of fresh air to the iconic white jersey. This 21-year-old Angolan-born French midfielder joined Los Blancos in a high-profile transfer in 2021.

Camavinga’s dynamic style, tenacity in midfield and exceptional ball control have quickly established him as a key player. As he continues to evolve under the tutelage of the Spanish giants, his presence promises a thrilling era for the Madridistas.

• Current Team: Real Madrid (number 12)
• Position: Midfielder, left-back
• Country: France

Pablo Martín Páez Gavira known commonly as Gavi is 19 years old is Spanish wunderkind setting Camp Nou ablaze with his dazzling feet and relentless energy.

Born on August 5, 2004, this Spanish midfielder embodies the essence of La Masia’s tradition of nurturing exceptional talents. He was the recipient of the Golden Boy award and the Kopa Trophy in 2022. 

• Current Team: Barcelona (number 6)
• Position: Central midfielder
• Country: Spain

Pedro González López commonly known as Pedri, has emerged as a beacon of skill and creativity at the Camp Nou. This 21-year-old Spaniard, born and bred in La Masia, is the new maestro conducting the Barcelona orchestra.

He’s lifted the Copa del Rey, claimed the La Liga title and even conquered the international stage with the Golden Boy award in 2021 and the Kopa Trophy that same year.

• Current Team: Barcelona (number 8)
• Position: Midfielder
• Country: Spain

Jamal Musiala, the 20-year-old German wunderkind, has swiftly become a standout figure in the football world. Debuting at 17, becoming the youngest Bundesliga goalscorer for Bayern, and is already a regular for both club and country.

Imagine a young Ribery with the vision of Thomas Müller and the composure of Toni Kroos – that’s the mesmerizing cocktail Musiala serves up on the pitch. 

• Current Team: Bayern Munich (number 42)
• Position: Attacking midfielder, winger
• Country: Germany

Phil Foden is a 23-year-old English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City and the England national team. He is considered to be one of the most promising young players in the world. 

Foden has numerous accolades, including the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2020 and 2021. He has also won the Premier League title four times, the FA Cup once, and the League Cup three times with Manchester City.

• Current Team: Manchester City (number 47)
• Position: Midfielder
• Country: England

Bukayo Saka, the 22-year-old Englishman weaving magic down the flanks for Arsenal, is a name etched in the hearts of Gunners fans and a rising star in the global footballing firmament.

He’s lifted the FA Cup once and the FA Community Shield twice, even reaching the finals of the Europa League with the Gunners. His individual accolades include the London Football Awards Men’s and the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2023. 

• Current Team: Arsenal (number 7)
• Position: Right Winger
• Country: England

Vinicius Júnior is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. In 2018, Vinicius joined Real Madrid for a €45 million fee.

He was the recipient of the Golden Ball at the 2022 World Cup and the Socrates Award in 2023. He has lifted the La Liga and the Supercopa de España title twice, the Copa del Rey in 2022-23, the Champios League in 2021-22 and the Super Cup in 2022 with Real Madrid.

• Current Team: Real Madrid (number 7)
• Position: Winger
• Country: Brazil

Jude Bellingham, the 20-year-old dynamo is more than just a midfielder; he’s a force of nature, blending the tactical nous of Gerrard with the raw power of Vieira and the audacious flair of Lampard.

He moved over to Madrid from Borussia Dortmund, where he made 92 appearances between 2020 and 2023 and lifted the DFB-Pokal in 2020–21. He is the most recent(2023) winner of the Golden Boy Award.

• Current Team: Real Madrid (number 5)
• Position: Midfielder
• Country: England

Erling Haaland is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester City and the Norway national team. He was the 2020 winner of the Golden Boy Award. 

Before joining Manchester City on 1 July 2022, for a reported fee of €60 million, he spent two and a half seasons at Borussia Dortmund, scoring 86 goals in 89 appearances. In his debut season for City, he scored 36 goals in 30 appearances, winning the Premier League Golden Boot.

• Current Team: Manchester City (number 9)
• Position: Striker
• Country: Norway