The Top 22 Players Under 22 at the 2022 World Cup
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The sophistication of modern-day scouting means that the days of the World Cup providing a genuine breakout star out of the blue may be in the past, but the tournament still provides an incredible opportunity for young players. After all, Kylian Mbappé was already a French Ligue 1 title-winner when he became the first teenager since Pelé to score in a World Cup final. Mbappé was already known in 2018, but World Cup success took him to another stratosphere.
The 2022 World Cup offers another class of rising talent. This list contains the brightest talents at the tournament under age 22 (all eligible players must be under 22 at the start of the competition). Some have not yet played in any of Europe’s top five leagues, while others have already won the Champions League. But what they all share in common—aside from mouth-watering talent—is the desire to make their mark over the next month in the world’s biggest sporting event. This is their moment, their time to shine. Remember their names.
Illustration by Bryce Wood
22. Anis Ben Slimane
National team: Tunisia
Club: Brøndby
Position: Midfielder
Age: 21
Slimane, a rangy box-to-box midfielder, played for eight clubs at the youth level before Copenhagen side AB recognized his talent and threw him into the first team in the Danish second division. He impressed there, earning a trial with Bundesliga’s Freiburg and a call-up to Denmark’s Under-19 side.
A dual national, he opted for Tunisia in 2019 and scored on his senior debut against Sudan a year later. By then, he had moved to Brøndby and in ’21 helped the club win its first Danish league title in 16 years, scoring the final goal of their season in a victory that clinched the trophy. With license to push forward and make late runs into the box, Slimane scored four goals in his first eight Tunisia caps. Already linked to Arsenal, you can expect more big clubs to swoop in the next nine months.
“We really believe in Anis, and we see huge potential in him. He has shown that he has really strong skills and we keep working hard to maintain the consistency.” — Niels Frederiksen, Brøndby coach
21. Jeremy Sarmiento
National team: Ecuador
Club: Brighton
Position: Attacking midfielder
Age: 19
Born in Spain and raised in London with Ecuadorian parents, it’s fair to say that Sarmiento would not be at this World Cup had he represented one of the European nations for which he is eligible—not that Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro would have you believe it. As soon as he saw the versatile player in action, he wanted him as part of his young setup, and he rubbished the idea that Sarmiento was selected to prevent his declaring for England.
Sure enough, Sarmiento, who represented Ecuador’s U-15s, then England at the U-16, -17 and -18 levels, was man of the match on his senior debut in a World Cup qualifying win over Venezuela last November. He followed with a scintillating performance as a No. 10 in a 2–0 win at Chile.
Sarmiento grew up in Charlton Athletic’s academy and moved to Benfica but left after a contract dispute. Brighton picked him up, and he impressed then coach Graham Potter with his intelligent movement, skill in tight spaces, bravery with the ball, runs in behind and finishing ability. He’s yet to break through as a Brighton regular but is already a key figure for Ecuador.
“Once I saw him train, once I saw him play, I knew he was special.” — Alfaro
20. Garang Kuol
National team: Australia
Club: Central Coast Mariners
Position: Forward
Age: 18
If the World Cup is about making dreams come true, look no further than Australia’s 18-year-old sensation. He has yet to start a professional game for his current team, Central Coast Mariners, but has proved so effective against all opposition (and he has faced some top teams) that he already signed with Newcastle ahead of the January window.
Kuol was born in an Egyptian refugee camp after his family fled Sudan, and they moved to Australia, which is where Garang and his brother, Alou, started playing for the Mariners. Alou, 21, signed with Stuttgart, and in 2021, Garang was first thrown into action as a super-sub, making an impact whenever he was on the pitch. He scored seven minutes after coming on in his debut and then five minutes after coming on in his first A-League match. He scored four goals in nine substitute appearances and gave Barcelona defenders the run-around in an A-League All-Stars friendly last May.
He signed off from the Mariners with two more goals from the bench last weekend, and his speed, fearlessness and dribbling make him a dangerous impact player for the Socceroos—and a thrilling prospect.
“He’s a player that can change the game. When we talk about an impact player, the player who can do something different for us, someone that can have a 1-v-1 individual action and change the moment of a game, I think Garang Kuol is that one.” — Graham Arnold, Australia coach
19. Strahinja Pavlović
National team: Serbia
Club: Salzburg
Position: Defender
Age: 21
It’s September 2020. Serbia loses a Nations League match 3–1 in Russia. Playing in defense is a 19-year-old debutant who has just signed for Monaco. Fast forward two years, and Pavlović, now playing for talent-spotter supreme Salzburg, plays for Serbia in a 1–0 win over Norway. His direct opponent is Erling Haaland, a Salzburg alumnus himself currently setting scoring records in the Premier League. Haaland barely gets a kick in the game, as Pavlović keeps him quiet.
The former Partizan Belgrade defender has earned comparisons with his countryman Nemanja Vidić for his tough approach, never-say-die attitude and willingness to put his head where it hurts at the heart of defense. But this does Pavlović a disservice as a footballer: He loves bursting forward into the midfield to start attacks, is excellent with the ball at his feet and is happy to try line-breaking passes to build quick counters. As he puts it: “I’m powerful, good with the ball and always give 100%.”
Serbia was unbeaten during its qualification campaign, topping a group that included Portugal and Ireland. Strikers Dušan Vlahović and Aleksandar Mitrović may get most of the headlines, but the team is built upon the solid foundation of a four-man defense, with Pavlović, on the left side, at the heart of it. Salzburg will be braced for a bidding war after the World Cup.
“We are all well aware of his football and human qualities. He has the character of a true professional. He’d be ready to play for Serbia even if he was missing a leg.” — Dragan Stojković, Serbia coach
Issahaku’s meteoric rise has taken him all the way to the World Cup at just 18.
Ulrik Pedersen/ZUMA Wire/Imago Images
18. Abdul Fatawu Issahaku
National team: Ghana
Club: Sporting CP
Position: Winger
Age: 18
A lot can change quickly when you’re a teenager, but even Issahaku might have been surprised by his rise to prominence. He began in 2019 as a 15-year-old playing in the Ghanaian second division for Steadfast FC. He was called up for Ghana’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations team, inspired it to victory in the final and, despite his tender years, was named Player of the Tournament (one of his goals, against Tanzania, was from the halfway line).
That led to interest from European clubs, including Liverpool, and a call-up to Ghana’s senior side, where he was compared to fellow Tamale native Abedi Pele. Playing as a 10 or a right winger who can cut inside and shoot with his left foot, Issahaku has risen to every challenge put in his way. He scored a free kick in a Ghana B international and, at 17, was called into Ghana’s senior squad for the 2022 AFCON tournament.
In the summer of 2022, Issahaku was signed by Portuguese giant Sporting CP, where he is convinced playing in the Champions League will allow him to continue his development. Sporting has already put in a release clause worth €60 million into his contract.
“He is an exceptional player; he has a God-given talent. When you see him play, you are reminded of Abedi Pele: his touches, movement, speed, passing, awareness and doing what he wants to do with the ball. My only wish is to see him become Africa’s next Ballon d’Or winner.” — Mohamed Gargo, Steadfast FC coach
17. Pape Matar Sarr
National team: Senegal
Club: Tottenham
Position: Midfielder
Age: 20
Sarr, part of the Senegal squad that won the 2022 African Cup of Nations, is a dynamic and versatile midfielder who can play as a deep-lying pivot in a two-man midfield, or as a box-to-box No. 8 with a dangerous shot from range. Tall and rangy, he takes up excellent positions to cover space and is a stout dribbler who can break quickly in transitions. He joined Tottenham in the summer of ’21 and was loaned back to French club Metz for an extra season.
Sarr learned his football at Generation Foot, the Senegalese talent incubator that also produced Papiss Cissé, Ismaïla Sarr and Sadio Mané. He comes from a football background, as his father Sidate is a manager in the Senegalese league, and former goalkeeper coach for the national team. Sarr was playing in the African Champions League at 15, and he came off the bench in March to help Senegal see out a World Cup qualifying playoff triumph over Egypt.
Since then, he has started three matches, in the tune-up wins over Benin, Rwanda and Bolivia, and has pushed himself into contention for a starting spot for Aliou Cissé’s African champions.
“Pape is one of the biggest talents in Europe. All of Europe speaks about him. He needs experience; he has to play games, to stay in one team and play regularly. It was a great investment for the club, and a great vision for the future.” — Fabio Paratici, Tottenham managing director
16. Lee Kang-in
National team: South Korea
Club: Mallorca
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Age: 21
After national hero Son Heung-min, the most talked-about player in Korea is Lee—but out of a desire to see more of him. He has been starring for Mallorca in La Liga this season (nominated for the league’s Player of the Month award for August) and had not been selected by cautious Korea coach Paulo Bento for 16 months.
That all changed in the September round of tune-up matches, and fans were excited to see the attacking player add some zest to the Son-dependent forward line. Instead, Lee sat on the bench for the matches against Costa Rica and Cameroon.
Lee has a big-tournament pedigree. At the 2019 U-20 World Cup, he was outstanding, scoring two goals, setting up four, and winning the award for best player as Korea reached the final. There had been suggestions that Bento was concerned by Lee’s lack of defensive output, but Lee insists he has developed that part of his game. With his speed, eye for a pass and smart finishing ability, he can play anywhere behind the main striker and cause a threat.
“We all know that he’s really good in the offensive process due to his technical quality. He’s a player that should keep developing his defensive ability. We see what players do at club level, but our main idea is what they do with us. We focus on what each player can do for the team.” — Bento
Reyna, like his father, will represent the U.S. men’s national team at the World Cup.
Atsushi Tokumaru/AFLOSPORT/Imago Images
15. Gio Reyna
National team: United States
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Winger
Age: 20
The son of two U.S. internationals, Reyna’s career path has never been in doubt. He followed the route of Christian Pulisic and signed for German club Borussia Dortmund at 16, beating his compatriot’s record as the youngest American to appear in the Bundesliga. He also beat Kai Havertz’s record as the youngest player to make 50 appearances in the German top flight when he was still 18.
Reyna is most often deployed on the wing, where he receives the ball close to the touchline, and with his raw pace, elite dribbling and superb passing, he can carve out opportunities for teammates. He was particularly adept at that when playing with the prolific Haaland, who nicknamed him “The American Dream.” Reyna is also brilliant from set pieces, with a dangerous whipped corner and dead-eye free-kick routine. His eye for goal and the timing of his runs into the box has been compared to Kaká.
Reyna missed much of last season through injury and this campaign has been managed carefully to ensure he remains fit for Qatar. He was subbed off early in the September draw against Saudi Arabia as a precaution; as one of the most potent attacking players in the U.S. squad, ensuring he stays fit will make an enormous difference to the team’s chances.
“He’s much more of an athlete than I was, much more of a goal scorer. He’s very technical and has a good feel for the game. He has a great free kick and can strike a ball well. Danielle [his mother] was a great runner—and he’s a runner." — Claudio Reyna, ex-U.S. captain and Gio’s father
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14. Youssoufa Moukoko
National team: Germany
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Forward
Age: 17
How often do we see a much-vaunted youngster who smashes scoring records in youth teams step up to the first team and struggle to live up to the hype? This can’t be said of Moukoko, who has taken advantage of two absences—Sébastien Haller for club and Timo Werner for country—to become a dangerous option for his teams.
Moukoko is a one-man record-busting machine: After scoring 127 goals in 84 matches across Dortmund’s youth teams (a record), he made his Bundesliga debut one day after he turned 16 (a record) and Champions League debut aged 16 years and 19 days (a record). Moukoko has six goals in five Germany U-21 appearances (yes, he’s their youngest player and scorer) and, at 17 years, 361 days, he made his senior Germany debut Wednesday in a friendly vs. Oman, becoming Germany's youngest debutant since Uwe Seeler 68 years ago.
The youngest player to reach 10 league goals in Germany, with six of them coming this season, Moukoko’s credentials in front of goal cannot be doubted. What has improved, according to his coaches at Dortmund this season, is the rest of his game, namely his movement, control in tight areas, decision-making and work rate.
“Moukoko's much better than I was at his age. I've never seen such a good 15-year-old in my life.” - Haaland
13. Ansu Fati
National team: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Position: Winger
Age: 20
Fati is no stranger to breaking records. He’s the youngest player to score for Barcelona, the youngest player to score for Spain and the youngest player to score in the Champions League (he managed all three before he turned 18). And the fact that he inherited Lionel Messi’s No. 10 jersey at Barcelona suggests self-confidence is not a problem, either.
Fati was just 16 when he came off the bench to head home a goal in only his second Barcelona appearance. He scored 11 seconds into his first home start for Barcelona. And in his second match for Spain (he also qualified to play for his birth country, Guinea-Bissau, and Portugal), he won a penalty after 90 seconds and then curled in a shot that went in off the post.
Fati normally plays on the left wing and likes to cut inside to shoot with his right foot. His pace makes him almost impossible to tackle. His movement off the ball, ability to cause danger out of nowhere and seemingly unflappable mindset make him a hero-in-waiting for club and country. But for someone in such a hurry, injuries have forced him to slow down. A knee injury decimated his 2020–21 season, and hamstring injuries reduced his appearances last season. He has slowly been phased back into action this season. If he is at full fitness, expect him to make his mark.
“He’s very young. We know what he is capable of, what he’s doing, that the fans are excited, that people are comparing him to great players. We have to support him because we know hard times will come; he has the qualities. He’s a great player, he’s got a good head on him and he works hard.” — Sergio Busquets, Spain and Barcelona midfielder
Rodrygo has already scored clutch goals for Real Madrid and is part of Brazil’s loaded attack at the World Cup.
Nderim Kaceli/NurPhoto/Imago Images
12. Rodrygo
National team: Brazil
Club: Real Madrid
Position: Forward
Age: 21
Some bets take a while to cash in, and in the case of Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, it can be worth the wait. The Brazilian winger, signed from Santos at 17 for €54 million, was in his third campaign in Spain when Real saw the payoff. He had scored four goals in his first 79 matches before hitting form at the end of last season, just when it mattered most. His six goals in six games included the dramatic equalizer in the come-from-behind Champions League quarterfinal win over Chelsea; two goals in a win over Espanyol that sealed a La Liga title; and two goals in the UCL semifinal win over Manchester City.
The versatile forward can play across the front three, is a willing runner, superb dribbler and elite finisher. He has carried on his scoring run this season and is loved by his Brazil teammates, especially Neymar, who has tipped him to take his No. 10 shirt one day.
Brazil coach Tite has a wealth of wide talents from which to choose; just by being in the squad, Rodrygo has done well. On his current run of form, you wouldn’t put it past him to go even further and make an impact in Qatar.
“He is a special striker because he can play in all the positions. He is quick, clever without the ball, effective in one-on-ones.” — Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach
11. Pedri
National team: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Position: Midfielder
Age: 19
His club coach compares him to Andres Iniesta, and he should know: Barcelona boss Xavi played alongside Iniesta for club and country, winning the 2010 World Cup together for Spain. In Pedri, Spain now has a worthy successor: a two-footed inside midfielder who plays with bravery and can take out a whole defensive line with the right pass.
Pedri claims his skills are partly down to his upbringing on the Canary Islands (like David Silva), saying it taught him about patience and unpredictability. Spain coach Luis Enrique, who gave Pedri his Barcelona debut, knows just how exciting the young talent can be.
Three Spanish clubs passed on Pedri as they thought he was too small, yet within one month of making his debut for Las Palmas at 16, he had agreed to join Barcelona, and at 17 won Tuttosport’s 2021 Golden Boy award as the world’s top young talent. That came at a cost: he played 73 games in the ’20-21 season, but last season could only manage 12 league games for Barcelona. His fitness is vital for club and country.
“Pedri gives us that pause, he doesn’t lose the ball, he’s always well positioned, he uses both feet. He dominates space and time perfectly: he’s a superlative player. If we’re talking pure talent, he’s the best in the world.” — Xavi
10. Nuno Mendes
National team: Portugal
Club: PSG
Position: Defender
Age: 20
Nuno Mendes started out as an attacking midfielder but has played left back for two title-winning sides in the last two seasons: Sporting in 2021 and PSG in 2022. Not bad for a player who only left his teens this summer.
Mendes was Sporting’s youngest debutant since Cristiano Ronaldo and, playing as left wingback in a 3-4-3 system, had a crucial role in its first title success in 19 years. His bursts upfield, dribbling past opponents and excellent (and early) crossing ability in tight spaces were an important part of Rúben Amorim’s team.
That earned him a Portugal call-up in March 2021 and since then he’s been putting pressure on Raphaël Guerreiro at left back. It’s helped that he spent last season on loan at PSG, where training sessions against Mbappé, Neymar and Messi have tightened up his defensive skills. He was named in Ligue 1’s team of last season and nominated for France Football’s Kopa Trophy, another honor recognizing the world’s top young player.
Mendes plays best in attacking teams that like to push forward; that works for PSG, which made his loan move permanent with a $43 million signing this summer, but restricts his role in Fernando Santos’s more cautious Portugal setup. Given the chance, Mendes will make things happen.
“There aren’t many left backs in the world with that quality. He is strong physically and in his head. He has an excellent left foot and he has very good pace. And he has so much time to improve.” — Costinha, former Portugal midfielder
Saka was dynamic at Euro 2020 and is poised to play a significant role at the World Cup for England.
Luca Rossini/Independent Photo Agency/Imao Images
9. Bukayo Saka
National team: England
Club: Arsenal
Position: Winger
Age: 21
Saka is a rarity in modern football: a player who had his international breakthrough during a major tournament. His dynamic performances, at just 19, helped England reach the Euro 2020 final. The Arsenal winger missed England’s decisive penalty in the final shootout defeat to Italy, but he has bounced back to become one of Gareth Southgate’s most important players.
He is versatile, too. He started at left wingback in a September defeat to Italy, and a few days later came on at right wing to help England turn a 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 lead against Germany. His direct running, close control, acceleration, awareness, quick passes between the lines and two-footed crossing ability to the far post make him a great attacking threat in Southgate’s 3-4-3 system.
Lesser players might have been cowed by the Euro experience; Saka seems to have grown from it. He was voted England’s Player of the Year for 2021–22 by the England fans, as well as Arsenal’s player of the season for two years running. Despite his tender years, he has over 100 Premier League appearances to his name. Saka faces competition for an England place from Phil Foden and Mason Mount but is expected to get his chance under Southgate.
“He needs to win football matches on his own, he needs to be living this profession: Tomorrow I’m going to kill the opponent. And that’s what I want from him. He has this ability now he’s going through a place in his career and he needs to go to the next level right now. He has the right people around him to do it and he’s very willing to do it.” — Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach
8. Enzo Fernández
National team: Argentina
Club: Benfica
Position: Midfielder
Age: 21
The latest River Plate academy recruit to land in Benfica, Fernández has been a key part of the Portuguese giant’s sensational start to the season—13 consecutive wins to kick things off and first place in a Champions League group featuring PSG and Juventus.
There, playing in a two-man midfield as though he’s been there for years (and not five months) is Fernández, a metronome of a passer and the type of player, like Toni Kroos, beloved by coaches for constantly progressing the play. Fernández is also a data lover’s dream. No player in Europe’s top six leagues averages more passes per game than his 93.7. He also switches the play with raking long balls, is a dynamic dribbler and happy to push forward and make final-third incisions.
Benfica paid €18 million last summer for him. Already that valuation has tripled, and Benfica again has the potential to make an eye-watering profit on a player. Fernández only made his Argentina debut in September, but on current form—and with Giovani Lo Celso out injured—coach Lionel Scaloni should have no doubts that he’s ready.
“He has a big future. Enzo is very intelligent. He is a player with a lot of personality, a good pass. Spectacular.” — Messi
7. William Saliba
National team: France
Club: Arsenal
Position: Defender
Age: 21
Saliba only made his France debut earlier this year but is already knocking on the door for a starting spot after following last season’s stellar performances for Marseille with an equally impressive start to his career in Arsenal’s first team. Three years after signing from Saint-Etienne and going on loan he is already a fan favorite. He’s strong in physical battles and composed on the ball, happy to dribble past challenges in his own half before launching an attack. He is also rapid. His highlights reel includes a dramatic chase-down of Mbappé to make a last-ditch tackle against PSG.
Saliba developed into a leader while at Marseille, whose coach at the time, Jorge Sampaoli, gave him more minutes than any other player and described him as a “future great of French football.” He is also a threat at the other end, with his aerial ability helping him bag two Premier League goals.
France’s defense has been ravaged by injuries, with recent casualties including Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane and Jules Koundé. There may be a starting spot available, and while Saliba’s inclusion a year ago looked unlikely, he could prove to be a late and timely savior for the reigning champion.
“He is a true defender. He has this ability in duels, he is quick and he is a good header of the ball. He’s someone who is calm, unfazed, and has a lot of maturity.” — Didier Deschamps, France coach
Gvardiol is an in-demand player, and for good reason, after rising to prominence with RB Leipzig.
Johannes Friedl/GEPA Pictures/Imago Images
6. Joško Gvardiol
National team: Croatia
Club: RB Leipzig
Position: Defender
Age: 20
Following in the talented footsteps of Mateo Kovačić and Luka Modrić as Dinamo Zagreb academy talents, Gvardiol can use this World Cup to show what the fuss is all about. Tottenham and Chelsea wanted to sign him from RB Leipzig last summer but were quoted a €90 million fee until he ultimately signed a contract extension.
That price tag might increase after the tournament. Gvardiol, compared in Croatia to Virgil van Dijk, is a left-sided center back who loves coming forward into midfield and starting attacks. He broke into the Croatia team at Euro 2020, when he played as a left back, but now he is a regular in the center.
Excellent on the ball and a progressive passer, Gvardiol’s combination of aggression and technique embodies the Croatian skill set that helped the side reach the 2018 World Cup final.
“At the club [Chelsea], they asked me about Joško, I told them all the best. I don’t need to say anything about his football, they know what kind of player he is, and his character is excellent. I have seen in the national team how eager he is to play; he has a great career ahead of him, and I hope that one day we will play together in the club.” — Kovačić, Croatia teammate and Chelsea midfielder
5. Moisés Caicedo
National team: Ecuador
Club: Brighton
Position: Midfielder
Age: 21
You’re 19, it’s your international debut and the coach gives you one job: to man-mark Messi. That’s what happened to Caicedo, and he stuck to his task so well (Ecuador lost 1–0, the only goal coming from a penalty) that Alfaro, the Ecuador coach, declared him a world-class player after the match.
Premier League fans are beginning to say the same thing. The Brighton midfielder has been an outstanding replacement for Yves Bissouma in the club’s excellent start to this season. Caicedo has played in a deep-lying two-man pivot for Brighton, but he plays on the left in a midfield three for La Tri. With his passing, tackling ability, box-to-box running and underrated finishing ability, he is a versatile player and a coach’s dream.
He was already on Manchester United’s radar before Brighton, which is making a habit of picking up exciting young talents from around the globe, swooped. Caicedo developed under the canny coaching of Potter (before he left for Chelsea) and looks set to follow the well-worn path from England’s south coast to an elite club—for a huge fee.
“Moisés hadn’t had the chances I thought he deserved when I got the job of Ecuador’s manager. … He will turn into a world-class player.” — Alfaro
4. Eduardo Camavinga
National team: France
Club: Real Madrid
Position: Midfielder
Age: 20
Camavinga’s family fled the war in Congo, and he was born in a refugee camp in Angola before moving to France at 2. When he was 11, his house in Fougères burned down and left the family with nothing. Camavinga was at football training the next day. Even then, at such a young age, he carried the family’s hopes on his shoulders. And he has delivered on that promise.
Real Madrid’s run to winning the 2022 Champions League was in large part down to the teenage midfield phenom, even though he didn’t start a single game. How so? Three times he was brought on as a substitute with Madrid losing, and three times his midfield presence and control helped the team come from behind to beat PSG, Chelsea, then Manchester City.
Capable of winning the ball high up the pitch and spreading the play with aggressive passing, he has the golden quality of breaking the lines to drive his team forward—and the vision and speed to make it count.
Camavinga, who became France’s youngest international in more than 100 years, is a worthy heir to Modrić’s throne at Real Madrid and, given that injury will sideline Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, he could play a key role in Qatar for France.
“Every day that he trains with Modrić, Kroos or Casemiro is a master’s degree. Camavinga is the present and the future of this club.” — Ancelotti
Gavi is a key part of Spain’s rising core of new stars.
Mutsu Kawamori/AFLOSPORT/Imago Images
3. Gavi
National team: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Position: Midfielder
Age: 18
Like Fati, Gavi is another graduate of Barcelona’s La Masia academy. He made his Barcelona debut at 16 and smashed an 85-year-old record for youngest Spain debut at 17—and he had played only five league matches for Barcelona at the time!
Gavi has all the tools of previous Barça heroes: the first touch, the turn of the body, the sharp passing, the constant scanning, the ability in tight spaces and interpretation of those spaces. He can play on either side in a midfield three, and with his movement, vision and passing it sometimes looks as though he is being remote-controlled by Xavi.
He’s already a regular for Barcelona and looks like a lock for Spain’s World Cup midfield. The winner of the 2022 Kopa Trophy, Gavi will still be a teenager by the time Euro ‘24 is over.
“It’s not normal that someone performs like this at 17. Gavi has personality, enviable physique and athleticism and he plays our style of football. When you watch him it’s as if he’s at school or in his garden. What a pleasure to have a guy with that quality and character with us. Gavi is the national team’s present, not merely our future.” — Luis Enrique
2. Jamal Musiala
National team: Germany
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Midfielder
Age: 19
Musiala was born in Germany, moved to England at 7 and played for Chelsea and England youth teams before joining Bayern Munich at 16. He became Bayern’s youngest player ever in the Bundesliga, and its youngest scorer, when he was 17.
As recently as 2020, he played for England’s U-21s before then-Germany coach Joachim Löw convinced him that he would get opportunities in the senior team. “I listened to the feeling that over a long period of time kept telling me that it was the right decision to play for Germany, the land I was born in,” Musiala explained.
And so, the skinny No. 10 with silky dribbling skills and a habit for popping up in front of goal is the first German star created in England. Now a regular under Hansi Flick, his former boss at Bayern, Musiala is already a key part of the team and seen as a long-term successor to Thomas Müller.
“Jamal’s already very good but can become world-class. He’s very advanced for his age. He’s full of tricks, unpredictable and also very dynamic when it comes to controlling the ball—especially with his first touch.” — Joshua Kimmich, Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder
1. Jude Bellingham
National team: England
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Midfielder
Age: 19
Bellingham looks likely to become England’s most expensive footballer next summer, as Real Madrid and Liverpool jostle to sign the elegant Dortmund midfielder. Before then, he is likely to start in England’s midfield two, after impressing both on and off the pitch in warm-up matches.
Bellingham is composed on the ball, masterful at interceptions and deceptively quick when driving forward. He has added timing to his game, making runs into the opposition area that defenders are slow to pick up. He drifts into pockets of space in the attacking third and racks up more assists than you might expect.
This will be no surprise to fans of Birmingham City, where Bellingham became the club’s youngest player ever. They even retired his No. 22 shirt once he moved to Dortmund—a number he got only because he was the best 4, 8 and 10 in the team (add them up).
He made his England debut at 17, has played more minutes than any other teenager in Europe since 2021 and, because he can do so much, it remains hard to pin down his precise role. All his coaches agree that his composure and leadership set him apart, even at this young age. An England starter for the present, a potential captain for the future.
“The biggest thing is that he’s got a top-level mentality to compete. Yes, he’s got technical ability of course, and he’s got athletic prowess, but the thing that makes the difference with top players is the mentality that they’re never beaten and they drive the game. They don’t look like they're phased by any occasion, and that’s what we’re seeing with him.” — Southgate
