Day by day, football is welcoming young talents to the stage as we shape more into a modern football style of play. They bring more fearlessness and a desire to announce themselves to the world. This is the list of the Top 10 Young Footballers born on or after 1st January, 2006. Many of them have already established themselves with performances in the current season.
The ultimate reward is the Kopa Award, which is presented to the best Under-21 player by the France Football Federation. Players such as Pablo Gavi, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe have already won it. This season, youngsters such as Pau Cubasi, Ethan Nwaneri, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Desire Doue have a chance to win it.
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10. Claudio Echeverri
Echecerri was picked by Manchester City in 2024 but was loaned back to Argentina for his development. He is known for his dynamism in dribbling and also contributes in different attacking positions. In the coming years, he can be an important player for Manchester City as a rebuilding phase starts.
| Full Name | Claudio Jeremias Echeverri |
| Date of Birth | January 2, 2006 |
| Place of Birth | Resistencia, Argentina |
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder, Winger |
| Current Club | Manchester City |
| International Career | Argentina National Team (since 2023) |
| Youth Career | Deportivo Lujan, River Plate |
| Senior Career | River Plate, Manchester City |
| Major Achievements | South American U-20 Championship Winner (2025), Argentina U-17 standout, Manchester City signing |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for dribbling, vision, and attacking creativity |
9. Jorrel Hato
One of the upcoming centre-backs in world football. He has shown his versatility as he can play anywhere in the backline. This season, he locked himself in the left-back position. At the age of 19, he has already captained one of the biggest teams in Europe, Ajax.
| Full Name | Jorrel Hato |
| Date of Birth | March 7, 2006 |
| Place of Birth | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Position | Centre-back, Left-back |
| Current Club | Ajax |
| International Career | Netherlands National Team (since 2023) |
| Youth Career | Sparta Rotterdam (2013–2018), Ajax (2018–2022) |
| Senior Career | Jong Ajax, Ajax |
| Major Achievements | Abdelhak Nouri Trophy Winner, UEFA Youth League standout, Eredivisie starter, Netherlands senior debut in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for defensive awareness, composure, and leadership |
8. Archie Gray
Archie followed his family business and became the fourth player in his family to play in the Premier League. After winning the Best EFL Young Player of the Year last season, he was picked by the London side Tottenham Hotspur. Gray is one of the players to watch out for next season.
| Full Name | Archie James Francis Gray |
| Date of Birth | March 12, 2006 |
| Place of Birth | Durham, England |
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Position | Midfielder, Full-back, Centre-back |
| Current Club | Tottenham Hotspur |
| International Career | England National Team (since 2021) |
| Youth Career | Leeds United (2014–2022) |
| Senior Career | Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur |
| Major Achievements | EFL Championship Young Player of the Season (2024), UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier Goal Scorer |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for versatility, composure, and tactical intelligence |
7. Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly has been very impressive this season, as first he mocked Erling Haaland by scoring a goal against him. Later, he performed above his level and helped Arsenal knock out Real Madrid in the Champions League. Especially, playing out of position didn’t bother him.
| Full Name | Myles Anthony Lewis-Skelly |
| Date of Birth | September 26, 2006 |
| Place of Birth | Denmark Hill, London, England |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position | Midfielder, Left-back |
| Current Club | Arsenal |
| International Career | England National Team (since 2025) |
| Youth Career | Arsenal (2015–2024) |
| Senior Career | Arsenal |
| Major Achievements | England senior debut in 2025 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, FA Youth Cup finalist, Arsenal first-team appearances |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for versatility, composure, and tactical intelligence |
6. Ethan Nwaneri
Another Arsenal academy graduate announced himself to the world this season. After the injury to Saka, Ethan grabbed the opportunity with both hands and showed what he is capable of doing. He can play in multiple positions, as a winger, and is naturally an attacking midfielder.
| Full Name | Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri |
| Date of Birth | March 21, 2007 |
| Place of Birth | Enfield, England |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder, Winger, Forward |
| Current Club | Arsenal |
| International Career | England National Team (since 2022) |
| Youth Career | Arsenal (2015–2024) |
| Senior Career | Arsenal |
| Major Achievements | Youngest Premier League debutant (15 years, 181 days), England U17 standout, Arsenal first-team appearances |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for technical ability, vision, and composure |
5. Endrick
The Brazilian striker has a limited time to prove his talent this season. When he was asked to play, he delivered a decent performance on the field. Currently, he is the top scorer for Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey with five goals under his belt.
| Full Name | Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa |
| Date of Birth | July 21, 2006 |
| Place of Birth | Taguatinga, Brazil |
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Position | Striker |
| Current Club | Real Madrid |
| International Career | Brazil National Team (since 2023) |
| Youth Career | Palmeiras (2016–2022) |
| Senior Career | Palmeiras, Real Madrid |
| Major Achievements | Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Junior Winner (2022), Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A Winner, Youngest Palmeiras debutant |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for finishing, movement, and technical ability |
4. Warren Zaire-Emery
Despite just being nineteen, he has more than 100 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain. He has shown at times he can be the deep-lying playmaker and also can be the number eight of the team and score goals. Emery is also the youngest player to score a goal for Paris Saint-Germain.
| Full Name | Warren Marie Jean-Pierre Zaire-Emery |
| Date of Birth | March 8, 2006 |
| Place of Birth | Montreuil, France |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Current Club | Paris Saint-Germain |
| International Career | France National Team (since 2023) |
| Youth Career | Aubervilliers (2011–2014), Paris Saint-Germain (2014–2022) |
| Senior Career | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Major Achievements | Youngest PSG debutant, Youngest PSG goalscorer, UEFA Champions League Record Holder (Youngest Starter in Knockout Phase), Ligue 1 Titles |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for composure, passing ability, and tactical intelligence |
3. Pau Cubarsi
Cubarsi, another product of La Masia, is delivering performances for this FC Barcelona team day in and day out. His presence and maturity at this young age in the backline are just remarkable. He is one of the favourites to win the Kopa Trophy this season.
| Full Name | Pau Cubarsi Paredes |
| Date of Birth | January 22, 2007 |
| Place of Birth | Bescano, Spain |
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Current Club | Barcelona |
| International Career | Spain National Team (since 2024) |
| Youth Career | Girona (2014–2018), Barcelona (2018–2024) |
| Senior Career | Barcelona B, Barcelona |
| Major Achievements | UEFA Champions League Record Holder (Youngest Defender in Quarter-Finals), Olympic Games Participant (2024), La Liga Starter |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for defensive awareness, passing ability, and composure |
2. Estevao Willian
He was signed by Chelsea, and according to the rule, once he turns 18 years old, he can represent the club. Every week when we see him play, he produces something magical that will stun the fans. Willian is already said to have the flair like Neymar in his game.
| Full Name | Estevao Willian Almeida de Oliveira Goncalves |
| Date of Birth | April 24, 2007 |
| Place of Birth | Franca, Brazil |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Position | Winger |
| Current Club | Palmeiras |
| International Career | Brazil National Team (since 2024) |
| Youth Career | Cruzeiro (2017–2021), Palmeiras (2021–2024) |
| Senior Career | Palmeiras |
| Major Achievements | Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A Winner, Copa Libertadores Goal Scorer, Set to join Chelsea in July 2025 |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for dribbling, creativity, finishing, and crossing ability |
1. Lamine Yamal
When we talk about the top 10 young footballers, Yamal surely finds himself in the first position. With every day passing by, we are getting short of words to describe the brilliance of Yamal. Not only performing for his club, but he is also currently one of the important players of the Spanish National Team. If Barcelona wins La Liga and the Champions League, we could see Yamal at the Ballon d’Or podium.
| Full Name | Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana |
| Date of Birth | July 13, 2007 |
| Place of Birth | Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Position | Winger |
| Current Club | Barcelona |
| International Career | Spain National Team (since 2023) |
| Youth Career | La Torreta, Barcelona |
| Senior Career | Barcelona B, Barcelona |
| Major Achievements | UEFA Euro 2024 Winner, Youngest player to appear in a UEFA European Championship final, Kopa Trophy Winner |
| Notable Traits | Renowned for passing, chance creation, and shot-taking |
