Top 10 youngest players in World Cup history

In the history of the World Cup, young players have always been the center of attention, because they not only bring a breath of fresh air but also demonstrate unlimited potential in top matches. The list of youngest players in World Cup history are names that have left an indelible mark, from creative moves to the ability to withstand pressure on the field. In this article, let’s explore with Premiumsoccertips the list of 10 best young players in world football today. Those who are shaping the future of the king sport, with a promising start to their careers and asserting their position in major tournaments.

Ranking the 10 best young players in world football

10. Gavi – Spain, 20 years old

• Position: Midfielder.
• Club: Barcelona.
• Date of birth: 05/08/2004.

Gavi is considered the future of Spanish football along with a few other players on this list. The young midfielder has all the skills needed to make it to the top and stay there for years. Even with his small stature, his aggression is outstanding, with the 20-year-old more than holding his own in midfield against players much bigger than him.

In August 2021, the midfielder – a winner of the prestigious Kopa Trophy – made his La Liga debut at the age of 17, a game that was impressive until he was overshadowed by Lamine Yamal two years later. There is a confidence in the youngster that borders on arrogance in the way he sends opposition players chasing after him in a desperate bid to wrest possession from him. Barcelona’s midfield will have Gavi for at least the next decade, with the club trying to tie him down to a new contract.

9. Warren Zaire-Emery – France, 18 years old

• Position: Midfielder.
• Club: Paris Saint-Germain.
• Date of birth: 08/03/2006.

It says a lot that 18-year-old midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery has broken into the Paris Saint-Germain first team and become one of the first names on the team sheet for the 2023-24 campaign. With all the money invested in building a team capable of competing for the Champions League, trusting such a young player to become such a key part of the club’s plans is a huge show of faith from coach Luis Enrique.

Zaire-Emery looks like an experienced and educated player in the middle of the park, with the composure of a seasoned veteran and the running power of a top athlete. His ability to get the ball forward and dominate games from midfield shows exciting signs of things to come in the coming years, with the French midfielder potentially being the focal point of a PSG team for the next 15 years.

8. Arda Guler – Türkiye, 19 years old

• Position: Midfielder.
• Club: Real Madrid.
• Date of birth: 25/02/2005.

The highest praise that could be paid to teenage prodigy Arda Guler came when a former youth coach claimed the Real Madrid starlet had “more potential than Messi”, according to Football Espana. The coach in question was Erol Tokgozler, who worked with Guler when he was just 13 before moving to Fenerbahce. Tokgozler said:

“Messi is the greatest player I have ever seen and Arda has great potential. Messi has achieved everything and Arda still has to do everything, he is still a kid. But if we are just talking about potential, Arda has more potential than Messi. Although he still has a long way to go”.

It’s hard to fathom how a 19-year-old who has only played 26 games for Real Madrid at the time of writing – largely due to injury when he arrived – could reach the level of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Guler certainly caught the eye during his time in Türkiye, scoring 21 goals in just 51 games for Fenerbahce.

7. Xavi Simons – Netherlands, 21 years old

• Position: Midfielder.
• Club: RB Leipzig (on loan).
• Born: 21 April 2003.

When Xavi Simons was 13, he had 300,000 followers on Instagram. By the time he turned 17, in 2020, that number had skyrocketed to 2.4 million. The son of footballer Regillio Simons, Xavi – who was named after the midfield legend – attracted attention as a talented youngster at Barcelona and seemed destined to break into the first team at Camp Nou.

But after failing to agree terms on a professional contract, Simons made a controversial move to Paris Saint-Germain. He left the Parc des Princes in 2022 and spent a season with PSV Eindhoven, where he flourished and eventually convinced PSG to activate their buy-back clause. The young midfielder made a big impact with the Netherlands at Euro 2024 as his country reached the semi-finals.

6. Endrick – Brazil, 18 years old

• Position: Striker.
• Club: Real Madrid.
• Date of birth: 21/07/2006.

Endrick is only 18, but he has been making waves in recent years thanks to his eye-catching performances in Brazil with Palmeiras. It was no surprise when Real Madrid announced that they had secured the services of the teenager in December 2022. Los Blancos are expected to pay up to £50m for the prodigy.

From scoring for a potential Puskas Award nominee at the age of 15 to becoming the fourth-youngest player to represent the Brazilian national team, there is no doubt that Endrick has star quality and could be a huge asset to Real Madrid after completing his move to the Bernabeu this summer. The young superstar even scored his first two international goals against England and Spain.

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5. Kobbie Mainoo – England, 19 years old

• Position: Midfielder.
• Club: Manchester United.
• Date of birth: 19/04/2005.

Kobbie Mainoo has burst onto the scene with Manchester United over the past 12 months, impressing fans and pundits alike with his astonishing displays of maturity. Many young players struggle when they are thrust into a team that is not performing at full capacity, but Mainoo has seen this as an opportunity to shine and has grabbed it with both hands.

The central midfielder – who turned 19 earlier this year – has already broken into the England first team, starting a number of knockout games for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 and looking very comfortable. Mainoo has produced fine performances in the Premier League week in, week out, as he attempts to make that dream a reality.

4. Florian Wirtz – Germany, 21 years old

• Position: Midfielder.
• Club: Bayer Leverkusen.
• Date of birth: 03/05/2003.

Long-term injury in a young footballer’s career can go one of two ways. Either the player can use the setback to motivate them back to the level they were initially performing at, or the player’s body can become weakened and vulnerable to injury due to the pressure placed on them. Fortunately for Florian Wirtz, it seems the latter is the case as the German has returned from a long spell on the sidelines and is fully integrated into Xabi Alonso’s plans.

Wirtz, 21, who was born in Pulheim, was outstanding as Bayer Leverkusen dethroned Bayern Munich to become Bundesliga champions. The playmaker will certainly be in the conversation as clubs like Manchester City and Real Madrid make their potential transfer targets for the summer of 2025 if he continues to perform.

3. Jamal Musiala – Germany, 21 years old

• Position: Midfielder.
• Club: Bayern Munich.
• Date of birth: 26/02/2003.

The jewel in the crown of both Bayern Munich and Germany, Jamal Musiala is one of the few players who can leave the 2022 World Cup with his head held high after some brilliant performances in Qatar. His unique dribbling technique, considered one of the best in world football, allows the 21-year-old to easily go past opposition players and is a joy for fans to watch and a nightmare for other teams to face.

Even when midfielders and defenders try to kick Musiala, his strength and power shine through as he keeps going. Being one of the first names on the team sheet at the Allianz Arena is a remarkable feat for such a young player, given there are plenty of talents capable of playing in midfield for the former German champions.

2. Jude Bellingham – England, 21 years old

• Position: Midfielder.
• Club: Real Madrid.
• Date of birth: 29/06/2003.

It could be argued that Jude Bellingham was the best player on the planet last season, as the former Borussia Dortmund man dominated both club and country. His move to Real Madrid in 2023 came with huge expectations, and he has thoroughly exceeded them. Despite being surrounded by world-class players at the Bernabeu, the England international was the star of the show in 2023-24 as Los Blancos won a record 36th La Liga title and 15th Champions League.

It’s not considered a conventional route to the top for English players to play abroad without first coming through the Premier League, but the 21-year-old has done so so far, cementing himself as one of the greatest English players to have played abroad.

1. Lamine Yamal – Spain, 17 years old

• Position: Winger.
• Club: Barcelona.
• Date of birth: 13/07/2007.

At just 16 years old, Lamine Yamal became one of the youngest players in La Liga history when he came on as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Real Betis in April 2023. He also became Barcelona’s youngest player to start a match in the competition when he made his official debut at the start of the 2023/24 season. Xavi backed the youngster, saying:

“Lamine Yamal is the real deal. His decision is special. Of course he’s not perfect, he’s only 16… but the way he’s made the difference at such a young age tells you what kind of player he is and can become. His development this year has been crazy.”

Lamine Yamal has continued to blossom since then and now looks set to become the best footballer in the world in the next few years. While we all think the same of Kylian Mbappe, it would be a shock if he doesn’t end his career with at least one Ballon d’Or award. Compared to Lionel Messi, it’s no exaggeration to say that the best young player at Euro 2024 is the most talented 17-year-old we’ve seen since the Argentine legend broke through at the Camp Nou.

In Summary

Young talents have always played an important role in continuing to write the history of world football, and the title of “youngest players in World Cup history” has become a symbol of expectation and pride. The players on this list have not only shown outstanding ability but also proved that age is no barrier to shine on the pitch. With excellent performances and bright futures, they will continue to be a source of inspiration for the next generation of players, while contributing to the enrichment of memorable moments in football history. Their journey has only just begun, and the world is waiting to witness the new miracles they will create.

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