Ajax star tipped for stardom by Lionel Messi misses out on World Cup squad

Highly-rated Ajax star Mika Godts was a surprise exclusion from Belgium’s World Cup squad.

The 20-year-old has been tipped for a bright future in the game after impressing in the Eredivisie this season, but was overlooked for this summer’s showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

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Godts has been a standout performer in a tough season for Ajax, registering 17 goals and 12 assists in 31 appearances.

His strong displays earned him international recognition, as he made his senior Belgium debut against the USA in March.

However, Godts will not be able to add to his two caps over the next month, after national team boss Rudi Garcia named his 26-man World Cup squad on Friday.

The youngster was arguably the biggest omission, with no room for him among the Red Devils’ attacking options at the tournament.

Selected ahead of him were Premier League stars Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard, as well as Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku.

The other places in Belgium’s eight-man attacking lineup went to Atalanta‘s Charles De Ketelaere, Lille forward Matias Fernandez Pardo, Dodi Lukebakio of Benfica, Strasbourg wideman Diego Moreira and AC Milan’s Alexis Saelemaekers.

Garcia has opted for experience heading into his first major tournament in charge of the Red Devils, naming four players from the country’s remaining Golden Generation in his squad.

As well as Lukaku, Garcia has selected his Napoli teammate Kevin De Bruyne, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Girona midfielder Axel Witsel.

Bright future

Godts’ World Cup snub will come as a surprise to many, having been tipped for a move to a top club after his exploits with Ajax.

Despite his team currently sitting fifth in the Eredivisie, the forward has been a shining light, and is joint-second in the league’s goalscoring charts.

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With double figures in goals and assists, Godts has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle reportedly keen.

Meanwhile, European football expert Andy Brassell highlighted him as a player Coventry boss Frank Lampard could look to sign as he prepares for life in the Premier League.

Bayern Munich are also rumoured to be monitoring the starlet, who has earned comparisons to his compatriot and Chelsea great Eden Hazard after his impressive showings in Holland.

The chosen one?

Godts earned the ultimate stamp of approval in October 2025, when football icon Lionel Messi picked him out as a future star.

The World Cup winner was tasked with selecting 10 up-and-coming young players to wear his brand new Adidas F50 ‘Vis10n’ boots.

And Godts was among the rising talents to get the call-up from Messi, as he joined Liverpool‘s Rio Ngumoha and highly-rated Como midfielder Nico Paz among those selected.

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‘Get him now’

It isn’t just Godts’ impressive numbers which have caught the eye, but his all-round game too, with his dribbling a standout attribute.

Speaking in April, European football journalist Brassell highlighted exactly what makes the young forward such an attractive prospect.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Brassell described Godts as: “A player who is kind of halfway between a traditional winger because he could dribble, and a wide forward because he’s a goal scorer as well.

“He’s aware enough to set up others. He’s made the most of the fact that Malick Fofana has missed a lot of this season through injury to break into the Belgian national team.

“Ajax, not in an amazing position – Go get him now!”