Golden Boy 2025: Ranking the Top 20 Young Talents in European Football
Each year, the Golden Boy award honors the most outstanding footballer under the age of 21, spotlighting those who have delivered remarkable performances at the highest level of the sport. As the 2025 edition approaches, the competition is more intense than ever, with a new generation of elite prospects emerging across Europe’s top leagues.
From explosive attackers to commanding midfielders and composed defenders, this year’s shortlist features a diverse array of talent. Some players have been household names for years, while others have burst onto the scene with meteoric rises. All, however, share one common trait: a profound influence on their teams despite their youth.
In this feature, we rank the top 20 Golden Boy contenders based on their current form, overall potential, and contributions to their clubs during the season.
10. Leny Yoro (Manchester United)
Still only 19, Leny Yoro has adapted seamlessly to life in the Premier League following his high-profile move to Manchester United. The French center-back has impressed with his composure, physicality, and intelligence beyond his years, quickly earning a starting role at Old Trafford. His ability to read the game and contribute in build-up play has brought much-needed stability to United’s back line, making him not just a rising star but a cornerstone for the club’s future.
10. Leny Yoro (Manchester United, France)
Position: Centre-back | Age: 19
After a headline-grabbing transfer from Lille to Manchester United in 2024—turning down Real Madrid in the process—Leny Yoro arrived with immense expectations. Though his debut campaign was hampered by a foot injury and some early inconsistency, the French defender still displayed glimpses of the elite talent that made him one of Europe’s most coveted prospects. Calm under pressure, athletic, and tactically mature beyond his years, Yoro has all the tools to become one of the world’s premier centre-backs. When fully fit, he’s already a standout performer and a long-term asset for United’s backline.
9. Kenan Yıldız (Juventus, Turkey)
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Forward | Age: 19
Kenan Yıldız has emerged as one of the brightest young attacking talents in Serie A. After breaking into the Juventus first team, the Turkish international quickly impressed with his creativity, dribbling flair, and eye for goal. Yıldız brings a rare blend of technical finesse and tactical intelligence, often operating between the lines to unlock defenses. His performances for both club and country have shown maturity and confidence, earning him comparisons to some of Europe’s elite playmakers. With regular minutes under his belt in Turin and a growing role for Turkey, Yıldız is rapidly becoming a household name in European football.
9. Kenan Yıldız (Juventus, Turkey)
Position: Left-winger | Age: 19
Since making the switch from Bayern Munich’s academy to Juventus, Kenan Yıldız has flourished into a vital player under new manager Thiago Motta. Known for his dazzling dribbling, sharp creativity, and calm finishing, the Turkish starlet has become a fixture for both Juve and the national team. His ability to operate across multiple attacking roles makes him a versatile threat in the final third.
While his performances have turned heads, Juventus’ absence from the Champions League this season could hinder his chances in the Golden Boy race. However, if he continues on this trajectory—or secures a move to a more prominent European stage—Yıldız could quickly rise among Europe’s elite young talents.
8. Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco, France)
Position: Attacking Midfielder | Age: 19
A product of AS Monaco’s renowned academy, Eliesse Ben Seghir has rapidly established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most gifted young creators. Blessed with silky footwork, incisive passing, and a natural feel for space, he excels in tight areas and thrives as a central playmaker.
Despite Monaco’s fluctuating form, Ben Seghir has consistently impressed with mature performances well beyond his age. His ability to control tempo and unlock defences has drawn comparisons to some of France’s finest midfield maestros. As he gains more consistency and exposure on the European stage, Ben Seghir looks set to become a mainstay in both club and country setups—and a serious Golden Boy contender.
7. Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal, England)
Position: Attacking Midfielder | Age: 17
Ethan Nwaneri made headlines in 2022 when he became the youngest player ever to appear in a Premier League match—and he hasn’t looked back since. Now 17, the Arsenal academy gem is beginning to make a more consistent impact at senior level. Technically gifted and mature beyond his years, Nwaneri blends vision and confidence with a dynamic ability to carry the ball through midfield.
Under Mikel Arteta, he’s being carefully developed, earning minutes in domestic competitions while continuing to shine in youth fixtures. If he continues his upward trajectory and breaks more regularly into the first team, Nwaneri could emerge as one of England’s brightest midfield prospects—and a legitimate Golden Boy threat.
6. Arda Guler (Real Madrid)
6. Arda Güler (Real Madrid, Turkey)
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Winger | Age: 20
Arda Güler’s journey at Real Madrid has been one of quiet evolution. Since arriving in 2023, the Turkish playmaker has faced limited game time under Carlo Ancelotti, prompting speculation about a potential loan move. However, Madrid have made it clear: Güler is untouchable and viewed as a vital part of the club’s long-term vision.
Despite a slow start, the 2024/25 season has seen the gifted midfielder begin to showcase his signature flair—blending vision, dribbling finesse, and a cultured left foot. With Ancelotti’s tenure nearing its end, Güler could soon step into a more prominent role in the squad. If he seizes the moment, he has all the tools to become one of La Liga’s breakout stars—and a top contender for the Golden Boy crss.
5 . Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth)
5. Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth, Netherlands)
Position: Centre-back | Age: 19
Dean Huijsen’s rise has been swift and impressive. After initially joining Juventus in 2021, a standout loan spell at Roma put him on the radar of top clubs, and a €13 million transfer to Bournemouth followed. Under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, Huijsen has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most promising young defenders.
Tall, composed, and technically refined, Huijsen combines aerial strength with excellent ball-playing ability—traits that have drawn comparisons to elite modern centre-backs. With Real Madrid reportedly activating his €50 million release clause, a high-profile move could be on the horizon for 2025/26. If he continues this trajectory, Huijsen could become the first defender in over a decade to seriously challenge for the Golden Boy award.
4.Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
4. Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Position: Central Midfielder | Age: 19
Warren Zaïre-Emery is already shaping up to be one of the most complete midfielders of his generation. With over 100 senior appearances for PSG to his name, the French international plays with a maturity that belies his age. Equally adept at breaking lines with his passing, shielding the backline, and driving forward in possession, he’s become an indispensable part of Luis Enrique’s setup.
His tactical intelligence, leadership qualities, and remarkable consistency make him a standout candidate for the 2025 Golden Boy award. If PSG mount a serious Champions League campaign this season, Zaïre-Emery could easily emerge as the frontrunner for Europe’s top youth accolade.
3. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)
3. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal, England)
Position: Left-back / Midfielder | Age: 18
One of the breakout stars of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Myles Lewis-Skelly has firmly established himself as Arsenal’s starting left-back. Originally a central midfielder, the England international stepped into the defensive role after an injury to Riccardo Calafiori—and hasn’t looked back.
His calmness on the ball, positional intelligence, and ability to progress play from deep have made him a standout performer, despite being just 18. Lewis-Skelly’s seamless transition and maturity on the pitch suggest he could lock down the position permanently, especially if Calafiori’s fitness issues continue. With his rapid rise and growing influence at a top club, he’s a serious contender for this year’s Golden Boy crown.
2. Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
2. Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain)
Position: Centre-back | Age: 17
Pau Cubarsí has taken the football world by storm, emerging as a cornerstone of Barcelona’s defense under Hansi Flick. Despite his youth, the Catalan defender exudes a calm authority on the ball, combining precise distribution with elite positional awareness.
His swift rise to becoming a regular starter for one of Europe’s biggest clubs has elevated him to the top tier of defensive prospects. Cubarsí’s impact has been so profound that he’s now widely considered the best young defender in the game. If his form continues, he could become the first centre-back since Matthijs de Ligt in 2018 to claim the Golden Boy award.
1.Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain)
Age: 19
As PSG enter a new era, Désiré Doué has been one of the standout players in Luis Enrique’s squad. Signed from Stade Rennais, Doué has seamlessly adapted to the Parisian midfield, showing intelligence and technical ability beyond his years.
His performances in Champions League knockout rounds have been particularly impressive, making him the most and strongest challengers for this year’s Golden Boy title.
