UEFA.com has singled out the talents poised to shake up European football in 2024. At the year’s outset, UEFA.com tapped into its extensive network of reporters, correspondents, and editors to forecast the emergence of young players who could leave their mark on the European stage. All under 21 at the start of the year, these rising stars aim to follow in the footsteps of past prodigies like Erling Haaland (2019), Rafael Leão (2020), Jude Bellingham (2021), and Gavi (2022).
Here are the 40 players making the grade this time:
- António Silva (POR, 19 – Benfica): A cultured center-back with a strong defensive game and precise long-range passing. Made history as the youngest Portuguese player at the World Cup at just 19 years and 33 days.
- Arnau Martínez (ESP, 20 – Girona): A right-back with pace, skilled in carrying the ball and making sharp passes, he’s been instrumental in Girona’s impressive season.
- Noah Atubolu (GER, 21 – Freiburg): Germany’s U21 goalkeeper displaying reactions and distribution reminiscent of a young Manuel Neuer.
- Johan Bakayoko (BEL, 20 – PSV Eindhoven): A rapid and skillful right-winger who made a breakthrough season with seven goals and five assists.
- Tommaso Baldanzi (ITA, 20 – Empoli): An attacking midfielder with exceptional vision and flair, displaying his passing prowess.
- Roony Bardghji (SWE, 18 – Copenhagen): A Kuwait-born forward who’s swiftly become a key player, with notable performances in both domestic and European competitions.
- Maximilian Beier (GER, 21 – Hoffenheim): A pacy forward with a talent for goal-scoring, earning praise for his natural goal-scoring ability.
- Nikola Čavlina (CRO, 21 – Lokomotiva Zagreb): Known for his stunning reflexes and penalty-saving skills, establishing himself as Croatia’s U21 regular.
- Ousmane Diomande (CIV, 20 – Sporting CP): A rising ball-playing center-back excelling in defense and displaying impressive passing abilities.
- Bilal El Khannous (MAR, 19 – Genk): A silky midfielder named Belgium’s Young Player of the Year, known for his creative ball-carrying and incisive passes.
- Evan Ferguson (IRL, 19 – Brighton): A promising all-round striker with speed and strength, setting records with his goal-scoring ability.
- Filip Jorgensen (DEN, 21 – Villarreal): A Denmark U21 regular learning from experienced players, showing promise as a commanding goalkeeper.
- Michael Kayode (ITA, 19 – Fiorentina): Instrumental in Italy’s U19 Championship victory, Kayode continues to impress as a marauding right-back.
- Karim Konaté (CIV, 19 – Salzburg): A rapid and relentless forward, making waves with his goal-scoring ability for both club and country.
- Giannis Konstantelias (GRE, 20 – PAOK): An attacking midfielder known for his dribbling skills and seamless play linking.
- Elie Junior Kroupi (FRA, 17 – Lorient): Displaying scoring prowess reminiscent of his father, becoming a standout at a young age in Ligue 1.
- Hugo Larsson (SWE, 19 – Frankfurt): A versatile midfielder, named Player of the Year in Sweden, now a Sweden international.
- Rico Lewis (ENG, 19 – Manchester City): Impressing at just 19, showing versatility as a full-back or in midfield for both club and country.
- Krisztián Lisztes (HUN, 18 – Ferencváros): Making a mark with important goals from midfield, soon to join Eintracht Frankfurt on a long-term deal.
- Castello Lukeba (FRA, 21 – Leipzig): A progressive center-back with excellent passing and defensive abilities, earning his first cap for France.
- Miloš Luković (SRB, 18 – IMT Novi Beograd): An accomplished finisher, Luković’s goal-scoring abilities led to captaincy at a young age.
- Eric Martel (GER, 21 – Köln): A combative midfielder known for his tackling and incredible fitness levels.
- Yankuba Minteh (GAM, 19 – Feyenoord, on loan from Newcastle): An explosive winger fitting well in Feyenoord’s high-tempo style.
- Ariel Mosór (POL, 20 – Piast Gliwice): A front-foot defender comfortable at right-back or centrally, earning accolades as Ekstraklasa Young Player of the Season.
- Antonio Nusa (NOR, 18 – Club Brugge): A prodigious midfielder, making headlines as the second-youngest scorer in UEFA Champions League history.
- Gift Orban (NGA, 20 – Gent): A prolific goal scorer setting records in UEFA competitions with his goal-scoring prowess.
- Cole Palmer (ENG, 21 – Chelsea): A creative force, leaving Manchester City to secure regular starts and goals at Chelsea.
- Leopold Querfeld (AUT, 20 – Rapid Wien): A towering center-back showcasing both physicality and tactical awareness.
- Guillaume Restes (FRA, 18 – Toulouse): Impressing with instinctive saves and leadership qualities at a young age.
- Pape Matar Sarr (SEN, 21 – Tottenham): A dynamic midfielder excelling at breaking lines and a consistent performer for his country.
- Momodou Sonko (SWE, 18 – Häcken): A forward displaying finishing abilities, contributing crucial goals for his team.
- Matias Soulé (ARG, 20 – Frosinone, on loan from Juventus): A winger dazzling with his dribbling and creative play.
- Arthur Vermeeren (BEL, 18 – Antwerp): A cultured midfielder contributing both on and off the ball for his team.
- Martin Vitík (CZE, 20 – Sparta Praha): A dominant presence at center-back, showcasing his skills for both club and country.
- Elye Wahi (FRA, 20 – Lens): A young striker with memorable goal-scoring moments in major competitions.
- Szymon Włodarczyk (POL, 20 – Sturm Graz): A Polish forward with a keen eye for goal, earning comparisons to national icon Robert Lewandowski.
- David Møller Wolfe (NOR, 21 – AZ Alkmaar): A seamless fit into AZ’s attack-minded squad, Wolfe’s athleticism and relentless attacking play have made him a key figure, earning a national team debut.
- Lamine Yamal (ESP, 16 – Barcelona): Setting records as Barcelona’s youngest player, a dazzling talent making waves as the youngest in various league and tournament settings.
- Leny Yoro (FRA, 18 – LOSC Lille): Rising through the ranks swiftly at LOSC Lille, showing promise as a young defender contributing goals for the Europa Conference League contenders.
- Warren Zaïre-Emery (FRA, 17 – Paris): Notching achievements as the youngest player in Paris’s league and Champions League history, making his mark as a standout midfielder for France.
Remember, this list from UEFA.com reflects the opinions of their experts and isn’t intended to rival established awards.
