Lamine Yamal and the finest 15 under-21 World Cup stars, ranked

Every FIFA World Cup creates legends. Pelé’s announcement as a teenager in 1958 still resonates in South America. Michael Owen left defenders chasing shadows in 1998, giving England their first bit of real hope after 1966’s triumph. Landon Donovan (USMNT), James Rodríguez (Colombia), Kylian Mbappé (France), and Enzo Fernández (Argentina) have turned World Cup pitches into their personal playgrounds. Yamine Yamal (Spain) is up next by most accounts.

However, in a 48-team tournament that is surely a swan song for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, expect at least one overlooked youngster to beat the heat once again.

Top 5 World Cup wonders

Heavy lies the crown of expectations for these five national treasures. Pegged as the next foundational piece for the next few World Cup cycles, this group is already comfortable shouldering huge responsibilities. That’s why Gilbert Mora (Mexico) is not on the list. As the youngest player on any roster, El Tri is expecting him to just soak up the experience.

1. Yamine Yamal (Spain)

There is little left for Yamal to prove at the club level. The Barcelona sensation has already established himself as one of the world’s elite attackers, combining dazzling dribbling, creativity, and an almost unnatural composure in big matches. Spain’s system is built to maximize his talents, and a deep run could cement him as the face of football’s next generation. However, there is one hangup on the World Cup Young Player Award this summer: a left hamstring injury suffered in late April kept him out of Barça’s title run-in.

2. Arda Güler (Türkiye)

USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has been planning for Güler since the World Cup draw dropped. The Real Madrid playmaker is exactly the kind of press-resistant creator who can unlock a game in a single moment. After breaking into Madrid’s midfield rotation, the 21-year-old is the brain of a Türkiye side back at a World Cup after a 24-year absence. The gifted left-footer can unlock defenses with a single pass or punish teams from distance, and his vision makes him one of the tournament’s most dangerous creators.

3. Désiré Doué (France)

France never lacks attacking talent, and Doué fits perfectly into that tradition. Fresh off a treble-winning campaign at PSG and named the 2025 Golden Boy (succeeding Yamal) and Champions League Young Player of the Season. The 21-year-old’s dribbling and end product in tight spaces give Didier Deschamps a genuine game-changer in what is the world’s deepest attacking squad.

4. João Neves (Portugal)

Neves may not produce the highlight reels of some players ahead of him, but coaches love midfielders who do everything well. The 21-year-old PSG midfielder reads space brilliantly and dictates tempo without hogging the ball, and he’s versatile enough that he filled in at right-back to help Portugal beat Spain in the 2025 Nations League final shootout. This is a bigger platform, but also a better, wiser version of Neves.

5. Endrick (Brazil)

Last but not least, there had to be a South American striker on the list. Brazilian fans have waited for the next teenage superstar, and Endrick carries those Pele-sized expectations with confidence. That’s a good thing. While others are still living on what-if potential, every fan cheering on the Seleção expects Endrick to provide several unforgettable moments. On the flip side, that’s pipe-busting pressure Brazil knows all too well.

Superb after 60 minutes

Leads are built in the first half. Legends are born after the 60-minute mark. When the starters begin slowing down, expect the unexpected from someone too young to know better.

6. Kenan Yildiz (Türkiye)

While Güler grabs the headlines, Yildiz might be Türkiye’s most complete attacking threat. The Juventus forward can play centrally or out wide, possesses excellent close control, and has the confidence to challenge defenders in one-on-one situations. As the ‘other’ attacking jewel, Yildiz can operate as an attacking midfielder or winger. Long cast as Güler’s co-star, this is the stage to step out on his own.

7. Warren Zaïre-Emery (France)

Few players his age control a match like Zaïre-Emery. The French midfielder plays with maturity beyond his years, rarely wasting possession while offering defensive steel and tactical intelligence. Tournament football is often won in midfield, making him a crucial piece for Les Bleus. The problem is playing style.

The PSG midfielder presses relentlessly, carries the ball through the lines, and has the stamina to play full matches in Europe. This American heat is already becoming a story. A deep tournament run could cement him among the best young midfielders in the world, but will he burn out?

8. Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)

One of the least familiar names on this list could easily become one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. The 19-year-old took the Bundesliga by storm after joining RB Leipzig from Leganés, scoring 12 league goals with eight assists and winning Rookie of the Season as Leipzig sealed a Champions League berth.

Quick, direct, and fearless, Diomande is the spearhead of an Ivory Coast attack that reached the AFCON quarterfinals. His pace and direct style make him a nightmare in transition, and the Ivory Coast should look to exploit that athleticism whenever possible.

9. Nico Paz (Argentina)

Argentina’s next great playmaker may already be here. Paz is being framed as the long-term heir to Messi in the Argentina shirt. The 21-year-old produced 12 goals and seven assists in Serie A as Como (led by Cesc Fàbregas) reached the Champions League. A classic modern No. 10 who can drop deep or push high, Paz gets the perfect apprenticeship playing alongside Messi rather than replacing him just yet.

10. Pau Cubarsí (Spain)

Elite center backs rarely emerge this young, but Cubarsí already looks like a seasoned professional with FC Barcelona. Calm under pressure, excellent on the ball, and outstanding positionally, he gives Spain a foundation that allows its attacking stars to flourish. In a backline short on big names, Cubarsí is the future and, increasingly, the present. Someone must cover for Yamal for the next 10 years after all.

Overlooked summer hits

In a 48-team field, it’s getting tough to pick the last few names on the roster. Much like filling out a summer soundtrack, the heavyweights of the game provide most of the hits.

11. Lennart Karl (Germany)

Karl has quietly developed into one of Germany’s most intriguing young prospects. The Bayern Munich academy product broke through with nine goals and eight assists across all competitions in his debut senior campaign. Small but quick-footed and brave, the attacking midfielder is the kind of player tournaments fall in love with quickly.

12. Rayan (Brazil)

Brazilian football always seems to produce another electric winger, and Rayan is next in line. A late bloomer who forced his way onto the plane, the 19-year-old plays with the freedom that has long defined the Seleção’s attacking identity. One spectacular goal could instantly make him a fan favorite. So Carlo Ancelotti’s hand had been forced by 20 goals for Vasco da Gama before boosting Bournemouth into Europe for the first time.

13. Nico O’Reilly (England)

Nico O’Reilly is Thomas Tuchel’s versatile wildcard and greatest unknown asset. The 20-year-old broke through at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, featuring in more than 50 matches and chipping in nine goals and six assists while covering both left-back and attacking midfield. That positional flexibility could prove invaluable to an England side built for a long run.

14. Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal)

Mbaye represents the latest wave of Senegalese talent making its mark in Europe. The young forward brings pace, elite strength, and a willingness to attack defenders. At just 18, the PSG winger offers raw pace and a direct, one-versus-one threat…exactly the profile that can flip a knockout tie in seconds.

15. Kobbie Mainoo (England)

Mainoo may rank 15th here, but his ceiling remains enormous as the composed metronome England fans already know. The 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder announced himself at Euro 2024 with some of the best passing accuracy by a midfielder in decades. A frustrating club season hasn’t dented Tuchel’s faith. Mainoo excels at carrying the ball through pressure and making smart decisions in tight spaces.

Yamal is the obvious favorite to become the tournament’s defining young player. Alex Freeman is the only under-21 on the USMNT roster, so home fans looking to make that bet have an easy choice. Güler and Endrick are close behind the Spanish star, while France may have two future superstars ready to take center stage. Still, World Cups rarely follow the script. Somewhere on this list is the next James Rodríguez, the next Enzo Fernández, the next player who enters the tournament as a prospect and leaves as a legend.

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