The world’s best male players are getting younger, but is it finally time to crown successors to the legendary Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
For the fifth straight year (read 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 here), ESPN brings you our list of the game’s next top young stars aged 21 or under.
Read Also
Now 22, last year’s No. 1 Erling Haaland is too old to be included, while some others from 2022’s top 10 — Phil Foden, Vinicius Junior and Alphonso Davies — are also over the age requirement, too.
Many of this year’s crop have made their mark on the big stage already, but who has done enough to land a place on ESPN’s list, what are their particular qualities and how can they get even better?
Collating the list for the fourth year running is Tor-Kristian Karlsen, who has worked as a scout and executive for clubs across Europe, including Monaco, Zenit and Watford.
He explains his methodology before revealing his picks.
10. Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo, DM
Club/country: Brighton & Hove Albion/Ecuador
Age: 21
Estimated transfer value: €55m
For the fifth straight year (read 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 here), ESPN brings you our list of the game’s next top young stars aged 21 or under.
Now 22, last year’s No. 1 Erling Haaland is too old to be included, while some others from 2022’s top 10 — Phil Foden, Vinicius Junior and Alphonso Davies — are also over the age requirement, too.
Collating the list for the fourth year running is Tor-Kristian Karlsen, who has worked as a scout and executive for clubs across Europe, including Monaco, Zenit and Watford.
Strengths: Covering large areas of the pitch with ease, Caicedo is alert to the dynamics of the game and can make a big impact when he steps up.
Though a natural in his defensive duties, he is capable of carrying the ball forward, linking well with the left full-back and finding space to take advantage of rebounds to fire off shots from the edge of the box.
How he can improve: Caicedo almost unfailingly plays to his maximum capacity every game, yet he has the quality and vision to take more risks with his passing in the final third.gy before revealing his picks.
9. Josko Gvardiol
Josko Gvardiol, CB/LB
Club/country: RB Leipzig/Croatia
Age: 21
Estimated transfer value: €75m
The Croatia defender hardly put a foot wrong at the 2022 World Cup — at least until he encountered Argentina’s Lionel Messi in full flow — and he has made a big impact in the Champions League for his club, getting on the scoresheet and standing out against Real Madrid and Manchester City (in the first leg). While he is contracted at Leipzig for another four years, Gvardiol is attracting interest from the biggest clubs in Europe.
Strengths: Gvardiol is blessed with excellent pace, balance and physical robustness that makes him efficient in defensive one-on-ones. He has a great left foot, with fine close control, and is comfortable spraying medium- and long-range passes out of defence with accuracy. At 21, he operates with the confidence of a defender 10 years his senior.
How he can improve: He needs to pay more attention when tracking opponents on crosses and in high-intensity defensive situations. His sporadic lack of focus was highlighted in the 7-0 Champions League defeat at Manchester City, though that was down to a collective collapse rather than any one individual.
8. Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz, AM/FW
Club/country: Bayer Leverkusen/Germany
Age: 19
Estimated transfer value: €85m
Following a nine-month injury absence because of a ruptured cruciate ligament, Wirtz has managed to get himself back to the level he was at before disaster struck.
Alongside No. 4 on this list, Wirtz is arguably the most talented German prospect of his generation and has made a huge impact for Leverkusen, both domestically and in Europe.
Strengths: One of the most complete attacking midfielders in European football, Wirtz — who is equally dominant in a central position behind the striker, cutting in from the left or even as a false nine up front — is excellent at gaining space with his wonderful dribbling abilities.
Not only is he capable of beating opponents from a standing position, he also does something clinical afterwards, with cleverly executed passes, well-engineered combinations or shots on target.
In addition to being a technically gifted playmaker, Wirtz’s avid pressing helps him win the ball back.
How he can improve: Staying clear of injury will be key in his development but he needs to target double figures in goals and assists next season.
Making a consistent impact on games throughout the 90 minutes will ensure he steps up to the next level.
7. Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli, FW
Club/country: Arsenal/Brazil
Age: 21
Estimated transfer value: €70m
Not only has the Brazilian forward been a major contributor in Arsenal’s spectacular Premier League season, but he has also been one of the most improved players in European football.
Aided by more fluency in the team’s attack and compatible players around him, Martinelli’s confidence has skyrocketed and he has polished the rougher sides of his game.
Strengths: With his explosive pace, excellent balance and unpredictable off-the-ball movement, Martinelli poses a constant threat to opposition defences.
Over the course of the year, he has sharpened his skills, adding another level of precision which has seen him make 1.33 key passes per 90 minutes.
On the evidence of his 13 Premier League goals from position on the left wing — often by way of late, well-timed runs and one-touch finishes with either foot — he possesses superb timing and appreciation of space.
His ever-present intensity helps in the press, and his work rate and eagerness to learn is high.
How he can improve: Martinelli could stand to improve the accuracy of his short passes, combination touches and lay-offs, and he can also be liable to lose momentum or run out of ideas when facing a wall of defenders.
6. Eduardo Camavinga
Eduardo Camavinga, DM/CM
Club/country: Real Madrid/France
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €60m
A €31m signing from Rennes, Camavinga’s importance continues to grow.
The France international has some stiff competition in the Real Madrid midfield but has got on with his job even when fielded as a left-back for both club and country.
Recently, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has entrusted him with an extended run of games in his favoured role as a midfield pivot and Camavinga has impressed.
Strengths: Calm in possession and comfortable on the ball, Camavinga performs his deeper role in midfield expertly.
He drops back to collect the ball from his centre-backs and actively roams in space to provide a passing outlet for his full-backs.
When distributing from defence with his left foot, he demonstrates impressive accuracy in all facets of his passing, while he’s often the initiator of moves that end in goal-scoring opportunities.
Versatile enough to operate as a No. 8, too, he can break opposition lines with a rapid burst of pace, presses with intent and reads the game well in order to pick up loose balls.
How he can improve: Given his skill set, there’s no reason why Camavinga shouldn’t develop into one of the top midfield playmakers around.
More variety in his range of passing could help; however, he is on record saying: “I would only change my right foot: it’s very bad.”
5. Gavi
5. Gavi, CM
Club/country: Barcelona/Spain
Age: 18
Estimated transfer value: €90m
ust when you thought Gavi’s development would plateau on the back of a magnificent debut season, he keeps getting better and better.
The 18-year-old is a first choice in Barcelona’s midfield and, after becoming the youngest player to debut for the Spain national team in its history, he has become a vital component at the international level as well.
In September, he signed a new contract at Camp Nou until 2026 but the club are now involved in a legal fight with LaLiga to register it and, theoretically, could lose him as a free agent in the summer if it’s not sorted out.
Strengths: To find such a high level of technical, physical and mental attributes wrapped up in an 18-year-old midfielder is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
His classy touch, combined with fabulous spatial awareness, cognitive sharpness and remarkable command of his body (when he sends opponents the wrong way when receiving the ball on the half-turn), are most commonly associated with flair players like Neymar or Ronaldinho.
Yet Gavi backs that up with an unyielding desire to get on the ball and an unwavering determination to win it back.
His competitive nature really stands out and, regardless of where he lines up tactically, his input is unquestionable and his energy contagious.
Weaknesses: While he is super competitive — he was involved in more fouls for and against (23) than any other player at the 2022 World Cup — his decision-making around tackles still needs work.
4. Jamal Musiala
Jamal Musiala, CM/AM/FW
Club/country: Bayern Munich/Germany
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €110m
Despite a slightly below-par season by Bayern Munich’s high standards, Musiala has delivered a level of performance that exceeds any reasonable expectations for the squad’s youngest first-team player.
Thanks to his versatility, he has been utilised in a variety of positions and while former coach Julian Nagelsmann preferred him as an attacking midfielder on the left side, it remains to be seen what new boss Thomas Tuchel will do.
Strengths: A technical star on the ball, Musiala applies himself with maturity and is quick at reverting to pressing mode when his team lose possession.
There are few unnecessary touches or flashy moments; instead, he aids the team’s attacking flow with constructive, progressive involvements, illustrated by his admirable judgement of when and where to make use of his wonderful dribbling skills (64% successful dribbles per 90 minutes.)
On top of his brilliant control, playmaking capabilities and linking of midfield and attack through his passing, he brings the end product too.
With 11 goals this season, making him Bayern’s leading scorer in the Bundesliga, Musiala exudes calmness in his finishing and, even at speed, ensures he scans the play before deciding on the best course of action.
How he can improve: With a versatile skill set in both attack and defence, perfectly made for the modern game, Musiala has few shortcomings. However, he has a slight tendency for his influence to drop towards the latter stages, so completing more games to the full 90 minutes will be beneficial in his development.
3. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka, FW
Club/country: Arsenal/England
Age: 21
Estimated transfer value: €110m
The main creative catalyst behind Arsenal’s unexpected challenge for the Premier League title this season, Saka, a converted left-back, has blossomed into one of the best right wingers in the game.
He has hit double figures for goals and assists, while also proving an inspirational presence for England at the World Cup. With his ability to make an impact at the highest level, the down-to-earth Saka has taken every challenge in stride.
Strengths: Saka thrives when he finds space wide on the right as his fine command of either foot gives him the option to either proceed at high speed for a quick one-two combination or advance on the outside of the marker to put in a cross or shot.
Adept at picking up the ball on the move and carrying it with pace, he has increased the intensity of Arsenal’s attacks and disrupts opponents’ defensive organisation.
Saka has improved all parts of his game over the past year, with the technical and tactical aspects the most obvious.
This season he has significantly polished his shooting technique — his efforts are often executed quickly and with variety — while his understanding of space has seen him take advantage of low crosses at the back post.
How he can improve: There are moments when he goes missing and fails to impose himself on a game which, in fairness, is not unusual for such a young player.
Saka can improve his defensive contributions, yet he is already winning more challenges in every area of the pitch and is showing more alertness to his pressing duties.
2. Pedri
Pedri, CM
Club/country: Barcelona/Spain
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €110m
Indispensable for club and country, the gifted midfielder has built on his sky-high reputation with an outstanding 2022-23 campaign.
He excelled for Spain during the World Cup and confirmed his status as one of the top midfielders in the world regardless of age or role.
Pedri’s influence on Barcelona has also grown under Xavi’s leadership.
Much like last season, however, injuries have been a disrupting factor.
Strengths: Though he already has the profile of a complete central attacking midfielder, the former Las Palmas star’s skill set goes off the charts when it comes to technical ability, receiving and distributing the ball.
In addition to his passing range — instinctive, penetrative, needing few touches and on the half-turn — is an extraordinary awareness to pick the right space with consistency.
Arguably best in an offensive No. 8 role, Pedri glues the attack together with his rhythmic interchanges.
He demands the ball in the most advantageous areas before moving it on with precision to a teammate.
Off the ball, his exceptional spatial awareness and timing of runs sees him get on the end of attacks with one-touch finishes or quick combinations to create a chance.
What makes Pedri even more special is that he’s a team player: he presses with diligence and recovers the ball three times per game on average.
How he can improve: Performing consistently at the upper limits of what can be expected of a 20-year-old, he does have one area of improvement — becoming more robust in physical duels.
1, Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham, CM
Club/country: Borussia Dortmund/England
Age: 19
Estimated transfer value: €120m
After his exceptional development for club and country over the past year, Bellingham is no longer an up-and-coming talent: he has arrived and is an elite player who can carry a team.
The teenage midfielder is on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs — most notably Liverpool, Man City and Real Madrid.
The race to sign him for a potential transfer fee of around €150m will be one of the biggest stories to watch this summer.
The England international features an exceptional array of physical, technical and mental attributes, and as the perfect box-to-box midfielder — with the versatility to feature deeper or higher up the pitch as a starting position — he is a generational talent.
Strengths: Where do you start?
Equipped with athleticism, stamina and close control, Bellingham is outstanding on the ball (nearly three progressive carries and six dribbles per 90 minutes.) Once a defensive line has been broken, he’s an accurate passer too and is able to create chances with precise touches and impressive vision.
From deeper positions, he spreads the play routinely and picks out the attacking runs of his teammates early.
As seen at the World Cup with England, Bellingham is strong in the air and, when arriving in the box, displays composure in front of goal.
For all the technical and tactical mastery, it can be overlooked that he is both meticulous and proficient in his defensive game too.
From an impressive 19 challenges per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga, he comes out on top at a rate of 55%.
, ESPN brings you our list of the game's next top young stars aged 21 or under.){kind=link}