Best young players in the world 2025
Our comprehensive round-up of the 10 best young players in the world in 2025.
Nothing excites football fans like a young player breaking through.
Despite the physical, technical, and mental demands at the top level in the modern game, we are blessed with a raft of bright talents that are getting their chance to shine.
With a World Cup on the horizon, we've taken on the task of rounding up and ranking the best young footballers – those under 23 at the time of writing – on the planet right now.
After looking at recent form, trophies won, impact for club and county, future potential, as well as some stats, we've crunched the numbers to build a list of the hottest prospects on the planet.
Some big names miss out but that just speaks to the quality in the generation of players that are starting to really make their mark.
RadioTimes.com brings you our definitive list of the 10 best young football players in the world in 2025.
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10. Désiré Doué (PSG)
Désiré Doué is an entertainer. The PSG winger's lightning pace and dazzling footwork are a joy to watch but he is certainly not lacking in end product either.
Still just 20, it really does feel like the sky is the limit for the man the French giants paid €50 million for in 2024.
9. Estevao (Chelsea)
There's something special about a Brazilian wonderkid and Estevao already has pulses racing in West London, having hit the ground running in the Premier League.
The 18-year-old plays with a fearlessness, that combined with his quick feet and direct running, making him so hard to stop.
8. Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)
He is still only 19 in March but Warren Zaïre-Emery has already made more than 140 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain, which is a clue that we’re dealing with a proper talent.
A force to be reckoned with at the base of midfield, Zaïre-Emery is destined to become a serial trophy winner.
7. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Jamal Musiala's sky-high talent has been clear for years now. The attacking midfielder has been carving up opposition defences for Bayern Munich and Germany since breaking through as a teenager in 2020/21.
The 22-year-old caught the eye at Euro 2024 and will hope to do the same at next summer's World Cup, with his return from injury expected before the end of the year.
6. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Florian Wirtz has not found his feet at Liverpool yet but the Anfield outfit spent big on him for a reason.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder came of age in 2023/24, playing a crucial role in Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten Bundesliga campaign and run to the Europa League final.
5. Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
It's rare to see a player so young thriving at centre-back for a top European team but Pau Cubarsi has become one of the first names on the teamsheet at Barcelona.
The 18-year-old reads the game brilliantly, does not shy away from the physical battle, and is an asset as a distributor as well. He will only improve as he fills out.
4. João Neves (PSG)
Don't let his diminutive stature fool you, João Neves is one of the best defensive midfielders in the game. The Portugal international relishes his work off the ball but is also excellent in possession and an agile ball carrier.
The 21-year-old was running the Benfica midfield as a teenager and has dazzled in the same role at PSG – helping them to win the Champions League last season.
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
The jewel in English football’s crown, Jude Bellingham is the epitome of a Rolls Royce footballer. The 22-year-old glides through midfield like a hot knife through butter, scores a hatful of goals, but also does the dirty work so well.
He will, no doubt, be the first name on the Three Lions team sheet for the next decade.
2. Pedri (Barcelona)
It's easy to forget that Pedri is still just 22, as the midfielder has been pulling the strings for Barcelona and Spain for years now.
The €5 million it cost to sign him from Las Palmas in 2019 has to go down as one of the Nou Camp club's greatest-ever bargains.
1. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Surely the most exciting talent to come out of the La Masia talent factory since Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal has already stamped his authority on the game for club and country.
Despite being just 18, he's already considered one of the best attacking players in the world and the growing pressure on him has only helped him raise his game.
Who is the best young player in the world?
Lamine Yamal is the real deal - and he’s surely only going to get better.
Barcelona have developed a gem, he plays with a maturity that is well beyond his tender years and his trophy cabinet already boasts some impressive titles.
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