Check out the top 10 best soccer players under 25

In Europe’s top football leagues, competition between teams is very high, which makes it very difficult for young players, young talents to earn opportunities to play. However, there are “talented” players who do not wait for age, despite their very young age, they soon found a place in big teams. The following 10 best soccer players under 25 are being rated by Premiumsoccertips, they were all born after January 1, 2000.

Top 10 best soccer players under 25

1. Rodrygo (Real Madrid)

Rodrygo was quickly labeled as the “new Neymar,” which brought significant pressure to the young Brazilian player. However, it seems he has handled this quite easily. Last year, Rodrygo turned down a move to Barcelona for £45 million to join Real Madrid, becoming the second-youngest player after the legend Raúl González to score a hat-trick in the Champions League.

Nevertheless, Rodrygo has not entirely satisfied coach Zinedine Zidane. Despite his impressive performances in the Champions League, the French strategist sent the Brazilian back to Castilla (Real Madrid’s reserve team playing in Segunda División B), indicating that Rodrygo still needs to improve certain skills.

2. Sandro Tonali (Brescia)

Sandro Tonali was born in Lodi, Lombardy, on May 8, 2000. From a young age, he displayed technical skills and impressive vision while playing football in Lombardia Uno and Piacenza. Tonali joined Brescia at the age of 12 and developed into a strong talent.

With impressive goal-scoring and playmaking abilities, Tonali quickly secured a place in Brescia’s midfield. He demonstrated maturity after many years with Brescia and became instrumental in the team’s promotion under coach Eugenio Corini.

Tonali is noted for his magical right foot, perfect for executing long passes and through balls. Currently playing in a deep-lying midfield role, Tonali is also ready to push forward and play as an attacking midfielder, reminiscent of his days in Brescia’s academy.

3. Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Salzburg)

Dominik Szoboszlai’s brilliance has been somewhat overshadowed by Erling Braut Haaland and Takumi Minamino. However, the Hungarian midfielder is likely to become the next big star brought up by Austrian clubs and then moving on to top European teams.

Recent reports indicate that RB Salzburg is prepared to let the 19-year-old leave this summer for £25 million, which is considered quite reasonable given Szoboszlai’s potential for development. His strengths lie in passing, keen vision, and room for further improvement in these skills.

4. Dejan Kulusevski (Parma, on loan from Juventus)

Before football leagues had to pause due to Covid-19, Kulusevski was one of the standout players in Serie A. Like many impressive young players on this list, Kulusevski combines technical qualities with physical strength remarkably. His excellent positional sense, intelligence, and quick observation skills make Kulusevski a special player.

However, with so much talent comes a bit of uncertainty in determining the best position for him on the field. Is Kulusevski best in central or wide positions? At Parma, he played on the right wing in a 4-4-2 formation, while in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, he would be a right-sided winger.

5. Ferran Torres (Valencia)

“Faster than lightning” is a concise description of Ferran Torres, who joined Valencia at the age of 6 after starting in futsal with friends, following in the footsteps of David Silva and Juan Mata.

Playing on the right wing in a 4-4-2 formation, Torres has added flexibility and dynamism to Valencia. Although coach Marcelinho usually prioritizes the left wing defensively with Jose Gaya and Goncalo Guedes, Torres’s presence on the right has brought new energy to the team.

A nimble winger, Torres is comfortable dropping deep to receive the ball. His dribbling and ability to beat opponents have delighted spectators.

6. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)

When Bayern Munich signed young player Alphonso Davies from the Vancouver Whitecaps, no one expected him to play for Bayern so soon. Davies impressed in MLS with his speed, but Europe is a much more competitive environment, and players need time to adapt.

However, Davies quickly excelled in a completely new position upon arriving in Germany. Davies filled a gap at left-back for Bayern Munich when the team faced defensive personnel shortages due to injuries, with David Alaba moving into central defense. Hansi Flick always believed Davies could play at left-back, and he was proven right.

With his quick pace and abundant physicality, Davies shows tremendous potential for development and is poised to become one of the top wing-backs in the world in the future.

7. Ansu Fati (Barcelona)

Barcelona has always favored using players developed in their academy, and fans are ready to express their displeasure if the coaching staff overlooks homegrown talents. However, since the golden generation featuring players like Messi, Pique, and Fabregas, La Masia has not produced outstanding players for the first team. Fati brings hope and brightness whenever he steps onto the field for Barcelona. Whether scoring or assisting, Fati consistently impresses, raising expectations among Barcelona fans.

8. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

A boy turning into a man, Vinicius Jr arrived at Real Madrid immediately after Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus, which heightened expectations for the young Brazilian player. Although filling Ronaldo’s shoes is an impossible task, Vinicius’ talent has certainly captured attention.

Agile, direct, and a nightmare for opposing defenders, Vinicius is a typical winger, though his defensive support skills are also noteworthy. This is a rare trait in a young player, especially one playing at a top club.

After a slow start this season, Vinicius shone before the Covid-19 pandemic hit Europe. Alongside Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema, Zidane faces challenges in utilizing Vinicius’s speed while fielding all three players.

9. Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)

Haaland proved his worth in Norway, then in Austria, and this Champions League season. Haaland moved to Borussia Dortmund in January and quickly dazzled in his new colors.

Scoring 12 goals in his first eight matches for Dortmund left everyone in awe. Across Europe’s top leagues, only Cristiano Ronaldo (13 goals) scored more than Haaland in 2020 before football had to pause due to Covid-19.

Haaland seems capable of everything: tall, fast, with excellent dribbling and finishing abilities, reminiscent of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Haaland is poised to reach even greater heights, with the sky seemingly the limit for him as he aims to become a great striker.

10. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)

Jadon Sancho’s performance explains why he is currently the most sought-after young talent in the world. The 20-year-old has contributed to 66 goals in 88 professional matches. He is the first player in Europe’s top five leagues this season with both double-digit goals and assists (14 goals, 15 assists).

In the current Bundesliga season, Sancho is the top assist provider and the third-highest scorer, behind only Robert Lewandowski (25) and Timo Werner (21). Only Erling Braut Haaland and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s captain Lars Stindl have a better goal conversion rate than Sancho’s 3.3. Dortmund is unwilling to sell Sancho for less than €100 million due to his outstanding performance.

Conclusion

The best soccer players under 25 are talented young players with great influence on the pitch and the global football community. With the development of Erling Braut Haaland, Jadon Sancho, Vinicius Jr, Ansu Fati, Sandro Tonali, Dominik Szoboszlai and many others, European football is experiencing a time of youth and renewal. These players are not only important elements in top clubs but also the next icons of world football. Thereby, they are contributing to a new era of football, where creativity and individual skills are valued more than ever.

See also: Top 7 best soccer players with number 21