Ranking 10 best young players in the world in 2024

World football is witnessing the strong rise of talented young players, bright stars with great potential. These talents not only prove their excellence on the field but also quickly become pillars in top teams, changing the landscape of major tournaments. 2024 marks the rise of many players under the age of 23, who have proven that age is not a barrier to shine. Below, Kingsoccertips.com shares the ranking of the 10 best young players in the world, the talents that will shape the future of football in the coming years.

Top 10 best young players in the world

10. Jeremy Doku – Manchester City

Although this is only Jeremy Doku’s first season at Manchester City, he has quickly attracted the attention of coach Pep Guardiola since his time playing for Rennes. Doku’s impressive performances in Ligue 1 have not escaped the attention of the Spanish tactician, who is always on the lookout for new talent to add to his squad. Doku’s agility, technical ability and ability to create breakthroughs have made Guardiola see great potential in the Belgian.

With his excellent dribbling ability and courage in facing defenders, Doku has quickly proven his worth. In his first season at Manchester City, he contributed 3 goals and 6 assists in all competitions, affirming his important position in Pep Guardiola’s squad. These numbers are not only a testament to Doku’s talent but also his ability to quickly adapt to the playing style of a top European team.

9. Takefusa Kubo – Real Sociedad

Takefusa Kubo has been a top talent in La Liga for many years, but it was not until the Japanese midfielder moved to Real Sociedad under coach Imanol Alguacil in the 2022/23 season that he really shined and became a prominent star. Previously, despite possessing skillful skills and impressive attacking ability, Kubo had not been able to assert his position in La Liga. However, when joining Real Sociedad, he found the right environment to develop, contributing significantly to the team’s success.

Currently, Kubo has risen to become one of the best players in La Liga, with impressive contributions to the Basque team. In 17 appearances in the tournament, he has scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists, demonstrating his ability to create breakthroughs and directly participate in scoring situations. With his current form, Kubo continues to receive attention from big clubs and promises to be one of the brightest stars of European football in the future.

8. Gavi – Barcelona

One of the brightest talents of Barcelona and Spanish football, Gavi is a versatile midfielder with the ability to play excellently in many different positions. Although only 19 years old, Gavi’s performances have far exceeded all expectations that the Cules placed on him when he was given the opportunity to play for the Barca first team. His ability to play flexibly from the center to the wings, combined with skillful technique, sharp tactical vision and fierce fighting ability, has helped Gavi become an important factor in the Catalan team’s playing style.

Gavi’s remarkable growth at Barcelona is not only a source of pride for the club but also a great hope for the future of Spanish football. His contributions are not limited to assists and goals, but also to his ability to dominate the midfield, coordinate the play and create perfect connections between the lines. Gavi continues to prove that he is one of the best young talents of his generation and will be a mainstay for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team in the years to come.

7. Rodrygo – Real Madrid

Rodrygo possesses impressive technique and the finesse often seen in Brazilian players, and he has quickly become one of the most loved players at Real Madrid. With his skillful dribbling, agility and sharp finishing ability, Rodrygo has won over Madridistas and affirmed his value on the pitch. Despite his young age, he has shown remarkable maturity in recent seasons and is an indispensable part of Real Madrid’s squad.

Although not playing in his preferred left-wing position, where he maximizes his attacking ability, Rodrygo has still shown outstanding talent, scoring 10 goals this season. His flexibility in moving and creating breakthroughs has helped him integrate well into the team’s playing style, contributing significantly to Real Madrid’s victories. Rodrygo is becoming one of the most notable attackers in La Liga and continues to prove that he is the bright future of the Royal team.

6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia overtook teammate Victor Osimhen to win the Serie A Player of the Year award last season, with important contributions to Napoli’s Scudetto title after 33 years of waiting. Since joining the Neapolitan team, Kvaratskhelia has shown impressive form, becoming one of the most dangerous attackers in Serie A. His dribbling ability, skillful breakthroughs and creativity in attacking situations have helped Napoli achieve great success in the 2022/23 season.

This season, although Napoli has not maintained the same stable performance as before, Kvaratskhelia continues to prove his excellence. With 5 goals and 3 assists in Serie A, he remains a key player in Napoli’s squad. Despite facing many challenges, Kvaratskhelia has maintained a stable form and continues to contribute significantly to the team’s victories, affirming that he is one of the brightest talents in Italian football.

5. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen have many outstanding players with an impressive unbeaten record in the 2023/24 season, but there is no doubt that Florian Wirtz is Die Werkself’s best player. With his natural talent, Wirtz has become the soul of Leverkusen’s attacking play. The young German player not only stands out with his ability to coordinate the ball, but also has an impressive ability to score and assist, helping the team to important victories this season.

Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Wirtz has had a breakout season, proving his class both domestically and in Europe. His contributions have helped Leverkusen maintain their strong form, and Wirtz has been the man who has made the difference in many matches. With his creativity, technical ability and intelligent play, Florian Wirtz continues to prove that he is one of the most promising talents in German and European football.

4. Pedri – Barcelona

Although injuries have always slowed down Pedri’s development, he remains one of the most talented players in Catalunya despite being under 23. Pedri’s career at Barcelona has been plagued by health problems, but his talent and perseverance have seen him overcome all obstacles. Pedri possesses outstanding technical ability, with a sharp tactical vision and the ability to dominate the midfield, effectively coordinating the team’s play.

Despite his young age, Pedri has proven to be an important part of Barcelona’s squad, contributing not only in assists but also in creating chances for his teammates. He has quickly become a mainstay for both club and Spain, showing that despite the difficulties of injury, Pedri is still one of the brightest talents in world football.

3. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Right winger Bukayo Saka is one of Arsenal’s most talented players, and his remarkable growth has helped the team bounce back strongly in recent seasons. With his skillful dribbling ability, fast pace and sharp finishing ability, Saka has become one of the brightest stars of the Premier League.

This season, despite being only 22 years old, Saka has continued to show impressive form, scoring 5 goals and providing 6 assists, making an important contribution to Arsenal’s Premier League title race. His excellent performances have not only helped the Gunners put pressure on their opponents but also raised expectations for the team’s competitiveness in the coming years. Saka is constantly developing and promises to be an important pillar for Arsenal in the future.

2. Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich

Jamal Musiala is gradually asserting his important role at Bayern Munich and is currently the target of many big teams, such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, thanks to his outstanding talent. The young German player has shown remarkable maturity in his playing style, with his ability to coordinate the ball, sharp tactical vision and excellent breakthroughs. Musiala is not only one of Bayern Munich’s brightest stars but also a great hope for German football in the future.

Although he has just returned from injury, Musiala has proven his worth through impressive performances in the last 3 matches when coach Thomas Tuchel started. His contributions in these matches have helped Bayern Munich maintain a high level of performance, demonstrating his flexibility and ability to create breakthroughs in attacking situations. Musiala continues to prove that despite the difficulties he faces, he is still an irreplaceable talent and will be one of Bayern’s most important players in the coming seasons.

1. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham is gradually becoming a new icon at Real Madrid, with his impressive form and important contributions to the success of the Spanish royal team. In just his first season, the English central midfielder had an impressive season, scoring 17 goals and 5 assists in 21 appearances in all competitions. Bellingham’s excellent performances have helped Real Madrid maintain a competitive position in domestic and European competitions, while affirming him as one of the brightest talents in world football.

Bellingham also recently received the Kopa Trophy, a prestigious award given to the best performing player under the age of 21, organized by France Football. This is a clear testament to his remarkable progress and a well-deserved recognition of Bellingham’s contributions over the past year. This award not only confirms Bellingham’s talent but also shows that he is one of the most promising young players, with a bright future ahead of him at Real Madrid and in his international career with England.

Conclusion

Above, we have reviewed the best young players in the world in 2024, the stars who are gradually asserting their position on the field. Each player on this list possesses special skills, strong competitive spirit and a desire to conquer new heights. When the previous generation gradually gives up the playing field, they are the ones who will bring a new breeze, create big turning points and continue to develop world football. With unlimited potential and passion, these young players will not only be the hope of the clubs but also the future of international football.

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