Football is a game of energy, agility and strength, and the best use of these traits are displayed when young football players get the ball at their feet. Over the years, a plethora of young talents has reached the pinnacle of their career, justifying the buzz created around them. From Sporting Lisbon’s Cristiano Ronaldo to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, they all started to showcase their potential at a very young age and went on to be the greatest ballers ever.
Hundreds of talented young football players under the age of 21 are on their way to be in the same league as the strongest players in the history of this game. On that note, we have compiled a list of the best twenty young football players who have a burning fire inside them to hit the top deck in upcoming years. A pack of dedicated and hardworking players between the age of 18 and 21 are already putting on memorable performances across all competitions.
Ranking Factors
While making the list of the 20 best young footballers across the world under the age 21, we focused on some important criteria such as game-changing displays, important goals and potential. The ranking factors are as follows:
- Potential
- Game-changing performances
- Achievements in club and international football
List of Best Young Players in the Football World Right Now
| Player name | Current club | Nationality |
| 1. Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | Spain |
| 2. Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | England |
| 3. Florian Writz | Bayer Leverkusen | Germany |
| 4. Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich | Germany |
| 5. Pedri | Barcelona | Spain |
| 6. Alejandro Garnacho | Manchester United | Argentina |
| 7. Gavi | Barcelona | Spain |
| 8. Endrick | Real Madrid | Brazil |
| 9. Kobbie Mainoo | Manchester United | England |
| 10. Arda Guler | Real Madrid | Turkey |
| 11. Xavi Simons | RB Leipzig (on loan from PSG) | Netherlands |
| 12. Warren Zaire-Emery | PSG | France |
| 13. Pau Cubarsi | Barcelona | Spain |
| 14. Joao Neves | PSG | Portugal |
| 15. Harvey Elliott | Liverpool | England |
| 16. Leny Yoro | Manchester United | France |
| 17. Rico Lewis | Manchester City | England |
| 18. Benjamin Sesko | RB Leipzig | Slovenia |
| 19. Marc Casado | Barcelona | Spain |
| 20. Oscar Bobb | Manchester City | England |
20. Oscar Bobb (Age 21)
In the star-studded attacking front of Manchester City, Oscar Bobb’s inclusion at the age of 21 speaks volumes for the player. The Norwegian came to Etihad in 2019 and has already donned the Cityzens’ jersey on 26 occasions in the English Premier League, netting two goals.
His most eye-catching performance was against Manchester United in the Community Shield final in the absence of several big names. Despite suffering multiple injuries, he impressed Pep Guardiola in limited opportunities.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 26 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 2 |
19. Marc Casado (Age 21)
Marc Casado, a product of Barcelona youth academy, La Masia, is already turning heads with his impressive performances under the stewardship of Hansi Flick. Amidst a bunch of talented midfielders of the Catalan outfit, the 21-year-old Spanish wonder boy has already become a front runner to claim a regular spot.
Just like his predecessors Xavi and Andres Iniesta, Casado is one of the most calm and composed playmakers, dances around the field with the ball at his feet. It’s no surprise to see him on the list of the best young players in the world.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 35 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 2 |
Also Read: Top 10 best strikers in the world 2024 – Updated
18. Benjamin Sesko (Age 21)
Benjamin Sesko has already etched his name in football history as a perfect striker at a young age just like his idol Zlatan Ibrahimovic . He is a lethal central forward who is clinical with his scoring ability with both feet and head.
At RB Leipzig, he is already demonstrating his incredible skills with the help of his powerful stature. With more than 85 goals under his belt, the young footballer from Slovenia is on the way to be a great figure of the game.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 42 |
| Goals | 18 |
| Assists | 2 |
17. Rico Lewis (Age 19)
Another young talent under the age of 21 coming out of Manchester City is Rico Lewis. The English international with his natural defensive ability has already impressed Pep Guardiola after making it to the senior team in the 2022-23 Premier League season. Recording his senior goal against Crystal Palace, Lewis is looking to learn more about the defensive art.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 27 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 4 |
16. Leny Yoro (Age 19)
Leny Yoro’s stints with the Ligue 1 giants for two seasons showed that the French defender was destined to be one of the greatest football players in history even before his big money move to Manchester United. The 19-year-old young footballer has everything to lead a defensive set up of any elite team across Europe. He featured on 44 occasions across all competitions in the 2023-24 season.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 44 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 0 |
15. Harvey Elliott (Age 21)
One of the most versatile midfielders in European football, Harvey Elliott is already an impressive figure in the Premier League. He came under the limelight when he made the most of the opportunities given by the then Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp in the absence of Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah. The German coach transformed the god-gifted winger into an attacking midfielder. The young footballer from England enjoyed a successful spell with the help of his gifted left foot and wide array of passes.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 53 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 11 |
14. Joao Neves (Age 20)
A former academy product of Benfica, Joao Neves made headlines in 2022 when multiple elite clubs including the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and PSG poised in a see-saw battle to lure in the Portuguese midfielder. The PSG starlet, who is regarded as one of the best U-21 footballers in the world, put on great performances for Roberto Martinez’s Portugal in the 2024 Euro.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 55 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 2 |
13. Pau Cubarsi (Age 17)
The reputation of Barcelona’s academy La Masia is at the safe hands of another top young football player named Pau Cubarsi, who has already earned the trust of Hansi Flick. He is just a 17-year-old Spanish defender and has already been the talk of the town for his recent glorious venture with Barcelona across all competitions. Following in the footsteps of other wonderkids of the club like Pedri and Gavi, Pau Cubrasi has broken into the first team at an early age, and is showing no signs of stopping.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 35 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
Also Read: The Best Midfielders in the World Currently (Ranked)
12. Warren Zaire-Emery (Age 18)
Warren Zaire-Emery is our next pick on the list of the best young kids in 2024. He has already cemented his place in the Paris Saint-Germain team amidst some high-profile and costly players. The versatile playmaker, at the age of 18, shows qualities of an experienced midfielder and runs the show in the middle of the park with great composure and defense-tearing passes. All his traits such as calmness, positioning and running power indicate greatness.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 43 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 7 |
11. Xavi Simons (Age 21)
The son of former legendary player Regillio Simons, Xavi caught the eye of the masses when he was at Barcelona at the age of 17. The 21-year-old young midfielder truly began to show his class at RB Leipzig after a loan move from PSG. He was at his very best in the 2023-24 season and made an impressive contribution in his country’s journey to Euro 2024 semi-finals.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 43 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 15 |
10. Arda Guler (Age 19)
Arda Guler is one of the best NXGN wonder kids in 2024 with the “potential to reach the level of Lionel Messi”, according to his former coach. The Turkish midfielder-winger, who plays for Real Madrid in La Liga, is a treat to watch when he is on the move with the ball at his feet. Destined to be one of the greatest players in history, Guler became a nightmare for opponents after scoring 21 goals in 53 games for Fenerbache.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 12 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 1 |
9. Kobbie Mainoo (Age 19)
Another popular name on the list of the best U-21 footballers is Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo. The forward burst onto the scenes in the last season for the Premier League outfit, displaying sensible and mature performances. The talented midfielder, who has recently turned 19, is already living a life that other young footballers only dream of. International call-up from England and starting spot for Man United, Mainoo has achieved something great and is on his way to prove himself as one of the very best.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 35 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
8. Endrick (Age 18)
Football world was divided into two groups when Real Madrid made a big money move for the Brazilian wonderkid Endrick, who was dazzling in the jersey of Palmeiras. Born in 2006, Endrick is just 18 years old and has everything in his disposal to become one of the greatest strikers of all-time in near future. The Brazilian starlet has already lit up the international stage by netting two goals against Spain and England. With Real Madrid nurturing his talent, Endrick will surely justify the hype circling around him.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 22 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 2 |
7. Gavi (Age 20)
Another Barcelona wonderkid Gavi has made it to the list of the best 20 young kids in 2024. Even with smaller stature, the midfielder delivers on big occasions for the Catalan outfit and the Spanish national football team on big occasions week in and week out. Making his La Liga debut in 2021 at the age of 17, Gavi has already established himself as one of the biggest potentials in world football.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 15 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 1 |
Also Read: Ranking Top 10 Best Defenders in the World 2024
6. Alejandro Garnacho (Age 20)
Alejandro Garnacho is another emerging big attacking gun in Europe. Hailing from Argentina, the 20-year-old fanboy of Cristiano Ronaldo is already making waves across all competitions with Manchester United. His natural dribbling ability, pace and fearless mentality have aided in his journey towards greatness. If everything goes according to plan for Garnacho, he will become one of the most lethal attackers in football history.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 50 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 5 |
5. Pedri (Age 21)
Pedri has already become a superstar in Spanish football, and is destined to be at the highest level of the game in future. He is a perfect example of the exclusivity of midfield. The former Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez hailed the 21-year-old wonderkid from next generation as the perfect player to fill in the void left by Andres Iniesta in the club. Xavi also stated that Pedri is already at the same level as Iniesta, a statement that explains why the young Spaniard is in the top five of the list of best U-21 footballers.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 5 |
4. Jamal Musiala (Age 21)
Jamal Musiala, a former English player, is now the biggest attacking weapon in the arsenal of the German football team. The 21-year-old is one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe following his dazzling displays across all competitions including the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League. His unique dribbling skills, agility and vision of play make the fans rally behind him. With Bayern Munich, he has already scored tons of goals in recent years.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 38 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 8 |
3. Florian Writz (Age 21)
Florian Writz is another German under the age of 21, who has been sending shockwaves across the world of football for quite a few months. After returning from a long spell on the sidelines, he became a cog in the attacking wheel of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023-24 season. The German club’s glorious journey to win Bundesliga title, dethroning Bayern Munich saw Writz putting on a seamless display throughout the season. He is already one of the best young attackers, and has drawn interests from Real Madrid and Manchester City.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 49 |
| Goals | 18 |
| Assists | 20 |
2. Jude Bellingham (Age 21)
When Jude Bellingham left Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid, the football pundits said “he has come where he is destined to be”. And the English superstar proved the fans and pundits alike by leading the Spanish giants to their 36th La Liga trophy and 15th UEFA Champions League title in his debut season.
The 21-year-old midfielder has the ability to play in the positions of a holding and an attacking midfielder. The “player of the 2023/24 season” for Real Madrid, Bellingham is arguably the best English young player to ever play abroad.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 42 |
| Goals | 23 |
| Assists | 13 |
1. Lamine Yamal (Age 17)
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is arguably the best young football player under the age of 21 in 2024. The 16-year-old wonderkid is the youngest player in the history of Barcelona to play in La Liga. The Spanish winger is already at the same level of Kylian Mbappe and is expected to be one of the greatest club legends at Barcelona. His recent exploits in Spain’s victorious campaign at Euro 2024 accurately demonstrate his potential and greatness. It will be shocking if Yamal doesn’t win a Ballon d’Or title in near future, given his potential and scoring ability.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 |
| Appearances | 50 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 9 |
Also Read: Top 10 Best Goalkeepers in the World 2024 | Ranked
FAQ’s
Who is the new 17 year old soccer player in 2024?
Lamine Yamal of Barcelona is the best 17-year-old soccer player in 2024.
How old is Lamine Yamal and which club does he play for?”
Lamine Yamal is just 17-year-old. He plays for La Liga club Barcelona.