The future of football: 12 young stars who stole the spotlight in 2025

As is the case every year, football saw the emergence of some incredible young talents in 2025.

If they continue to meet the high standards they have set, these players could dominate the global stage over the next decade. With tournaments such as the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025, and the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, fans were treated to some outstanding football from the world's brightest starlets.

Here is a look at 12 players who were relatively unknown just 12 months ago—but have now become household names worldwide.

Estevao (Palmeiras → Chelsea, Brazil)

Estevao cemented his status as Brazil's hottest prospect in 2025. After first shining at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™, where he recorded three goals and three assists in five matches, he developed further at Palmeiras before bursting onto the global stage. The 18-year-old impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ and completed a high-profile transfer to Chelsea, quickly adapting to English football. Five goals in his last four starts for Brazil underlined his emergence as one of the world's most exciting young talents.

Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

French forward Doue, 20, was described by Patrick Vieira as "the best young player in Europe." Once relatively unknown outside France, he has become a key figure for PSG and Les Bleus. Highlights include a brilliant brace in PSG's 5-0 UEFA Champions League final victory over Inter Milan and winning the FIFA Best Young Player Award at the Club World Cup. Despite recent injuries, Doue's performances confirm his growing importance to both club and country.

Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart → Newcastle, Germany)

German striker Woltemade, 23, reached new heights in 2025 after his €75 million move to Newcastle—a record for both clubs. Towering at 1.98m (6'5"), he has made a significant impact in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. Woltemade has also scored four goals in eight appearances for Germany and, as the top scorer at the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, looks set to spearhead the national team at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal, England)

Arsenal enjoyed a superb 2025, with 19-year-old Lewis-Skelly playing a key role. The Islington-born left-back is now a regular for both club and country. England coach Thomas Tuchel has been impressed by his combination of physical strength and technical ability, and he will be looking to make further progress ahead of the World Cup.

Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana, Mexico)

Mora, 16, emerged as one of Concacaf's brightest talents in 2025. Making his senior debut for Mexico, he helped El Tri win the Concacaf Gold Cup, starting all three knockout matches and assisting in the semi-final victory over Honduras. At the U-20 World Cup in Chile, Mora contributed three goals and three assists as Mexico reached the quarter-finals. His Apertura season with Club Tijuana was also impressive, scoring five goals in 14 matches.

Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth → Real Madrid, Spain)

Huijsen has become a key defender for both Real Madrid and Spain. After progressing through Juventus' ranks, his standout 2024-25 season at Bournemouth earned him a move to the Spanish capital in June. He debuted for Los Blancos at the Club World Cup as the team reached the semi-finals and is expected to play a leading role for Spain at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Othmane Maamma (Montpellier → Watford, Morocco)

Maamma made a name for himself at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, helping Morocco win the tournament and earning the adidas Golden Ball as the best player. He has moved from Montpellier to Watford to continue his development and is regarded as one of Morocco's most promising young talents, even before breaking into the senior side.

Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City, England)

Left-back O'Reilly has established himself at Manchester City, having risen through the youth ranks. He impressed in his first two appearances for England, helping the team secure 2-0 wins against Serbia and Albania in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Alongside Lewis-Skelly, he is part of a new generation of English full-backs making waves at both club and international level.

Franco Mastantuono (River Plate → Real Madrid, Argentina)

Mastantuono first caught attention at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™ and became a global name in 2025. Despite River Plate failing to progress beyond the Club World Cup group stage, the left-footed midfielder's move to Real Madrid secured him a regular spot under Xabi Alonso. He made his senior Argentina debut in June but has recently been sidelined due to injury.

Rayan Cherki (Lyon → Manchester City, France)

Cherki, a product of Lyon's academy, made his breakthrough in early 2025. Dominating Ligue 1 and the UEFA Europa League, he earned a move to Manchester City, debuting at the Club World Cup. He has also scored for France in his first four appearances, quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents in European football.

Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich, Germany U-21s)

The youngest player on this list, Karl debuted for Bayern in a 10-0 Club World Cup win over Auckland City. Still eligible for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November, the teenager has already scored three goals in four UEFA Champions League appearances and three Bundesliga goals. A call-up to Germany's senior side is expected soon.

Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg, Algeria)

Amoura, 25, is the oldest player on this list. Though not entirely unknown before 2025, he enjoyed a breakthrough year, scoring ten of Algeria's 24 goals in World Cup 2026 qualifying—the most in CAF. He has also scored six goals in 14 Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg, cementing his place as one to watch in North America next year.