There is nothing more pleasing in the world of football than seeing academy players fulfil their potential on the highest stage, and with the level of talent and skill on show today from today’s youngsters, the future of football is incredibly bright.
the continent is unimaginable. 2021 introduced the world to many talented youngsters – as we listed out here – and the crown of the best teenager in the world went to Barcelona’s Ansu Fati.
However, as the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Karim Adeyemi now enter their 20’s, it’s time to look at the next generation of youngsters in football with the world at their feet.
Here are the best five teenagers in football in 2022.
5. Gavi – Barcelona
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The youngest player on our list is 17-year-old wonder-kid Gavi, the latest talent to emerge from the fabled La Masia academy. Gavi became the youngest player to represent Spain at the international level, making his debut against Italy in the UEFA Nations League semi-final and is also the third-youngest player to score for Barcelona after Bojan and Ansu Fati.
The Spaniard has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgetful season for Barcelona, and just like any La Masia academy product, Gavi is technically superb and well-educated when it comes to positional play. Additionally, Gavi’s physical attributes elevate his profile further, with his energy, dynamism and work rate aiding him to make the jump to senior football without any hiccups.
4. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
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Arguably the best young talent in world football as of now, Florian Wirtz has thrived at Bayer Leverkusen following the departure of Kai Havertz to Chelsea in the summer of 2020. The teenage wonder-kid has scored 6 goals and 9 assists for the German giants in the Bundesliga this season and has already become the offensive fulcrum of the side at age 18.
Although Wirtz is primarily an attacking midfielder, the Koln academy product can play in a range of positions across the front four and has already been capped four times by the German national team. Wirtz’s ability to manipulate space and decision making in front of goal stands out, with the 18-year-old already becoming an excellent finisher to go along with his incredible creativity and eye for a pass.
3. Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich
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Edging Florian Wirtz to take the number three spot in our list is another German sensation, Jamal Musiala. Born and raised in Chelsea’s Cobham academy, Musiala made the switch to Bayern Munich at age 16 and has never looked back, becoming the youngest player to appear and score for the Bavarian giants in the Bundesliga. The attacking midfielder has forced his way into the star-studded Bayern Munich first team at age 18 and has contributed seven goals & assists in just seven Bundesliga starts this season.
Musiala is an incredibly versatile midfielder that possesses tremendous running power, 1v1 ability and outstanding defensive work rate, with the German averaging 24 pressures and 2.5 tackles per 90 minutes.
2. Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund
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Jude Bellingham is the crown jewel amongst the next golden generation of English talent, and the midfielder burdened with glorious purpose is destined to scale the very summit of the sport. Bellingham has the complete all-round package for a central midfielder, gifted with an unbelievable engine and physical attributes as well as incredible ball-striking and ball-carrying.
At age 18, Bellingham already has 10 caps for England 75 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, and the youngster has shown incredible development and maturity for someone of his age. Bellingham is currently having his best season with Dortmund – contributing 14 goals and assists across all competitions – and it’s only a matter of time before the big clubs come knocking to secure his signature.
1. Pedri – Barcelona
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The number one teenage talent in world football at the moment is Barcelona’s Pedri, who has shown maturity and a skill level way beyond his years in his breakout season with the Catalan club. The former Las Palmas star is the heir to Xavi and Andres Iniesta’s legacy in Catalunya and has already racked up over 50 appearances for Barcelona before his 19th birthday.
The silky midfielder glides across the turf with the ball at his feet thanks to his excellent close control and body awareness, and the midfielder makes up for his lack of physical attributes with his intelligence and technique. Pedri shone for Spain in their run to the semi-finals at Euro 2020 – playing virtually every minute of the tournament and averaging nearly 93% passing accuracy from midfield – and given his ability and talent, the Barcelona youngster should dominate the footballing landscape from midfield over the next decade.
[Featured Image Credit: Pedri González]
Shivaan Shah