World football is not short of elite emerging talents and this u-21 Best XI is proof of that.
From starlets shining on the biggest stages to those set to define world football for the next decade. We’ve put together an all-star team of the best players in football aged 21 or under.
It’s some side.
Choosing best u-21 XI in world football right now
Goalkeeper: Guillaume Restes – Toulouse
Goalkeepers tend to mature later than their outfield counterparts which bodes well for Guillaume Restes. The 19-year-old broke into the Toulouse team last season to make 43 appearances and has picked up where he left off. In the summer, he helped France’s Olympic team to the silver medal at Paris 2024 and will be one to watch in the coming seasons. He’s aiming to join the likes of Lucas Chevalier, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Anatoliy Trubin among the best up-and-coming shot-stoppers in Europe.
Right-back: Malo Gusto – Chelsea
Chelsea’s recruitment focus has been on emerging talent and Malo Gusto has been a fine addition to the ranks. In the absence of the injury-prone Reece James, he has impressed, ranking in the top 15% of full-backs in Europe for progressive passes, blocks, shot-creating actions and progressive carries.
Centre-back: Ousmane Diomande – Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon look set to land a windfall when Ousmane Diomade departs the Portuguese capital. The Ivorian has turned the heads of Europe’s elite recruiters with some stellar showings at Sporting. Last season, the 21-year-old was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year as Sporting won the title and also lifted the Africa Cup of Nations with the national team.
Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona
La Masia is arguably the talent factory in football and Barcelona’s academy continues to produce gems. Pau Cubarsi stepped into the senior side at 17 and hasn’t looked back, appearing at ease in one of the most pressurised environments in European football.
Sant Pau Cubarsí 😇 pic.twitter.com/QDFRr3LplM
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) February 17, 2025
Left-back: Alejandro Balde – Barcelona
Alejandro Balde has been around so long that it’s easy to forget the Spaniard is still just 21. He’s already amassed over a century of appearances for Barcelona and has won seven caps for Spain. Balde ranks in the top two percent of full-backs in La Liga for shot-creating actions, progressive carries and successful take-ons. He’s been the ideal heir to Jordi Alba.
Midfield: Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham does not turn 22 until the summer but the midfielder has already achieved plenty in a short space of time. The decision to leave English football for Germany was vindicated, as Bellingham became one of the Bundesliga’s brightest stars before his high-profile move to Real Madrid. He’s been named Player of the Season in Germany and Spain and was a driving force in Real Madrid’s Champions League and La Liga double last season.
Midfield: Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
The jewel in Bayer Leverkusen’s title-winning crown. Florian Wirtz inspired Leverkusen to a historic German double last season, as Die Werkself won a maiden title without losing a game. Wirtz was coronated with the Footballer of the Year award in Germany and is on the wish list of almost every major team in the game. Since the start of last season, he has 62 goals and assists in 84 games for Leverkusen.
Wirtz footwork 🤤#UCL pic.twitter.com/q9fIPbpK4p
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 24, 2024
Midfield: Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich
Germany are fortunate to have not one, but two, elite creators for the next decade. The nation’s hopes are pinned on Wirtz and Jamal Musiala to lead the next wave of talent.
If Musiala retired tomorrow, his career achievements would already include four Bundesliga titles, two German national team Player of the Year awards and a top-scorer accolade at a European Championship. He does not turn 22 until next week. Bayern will be delighted to have tied the midfielder down to a new long-term deal.
Right-wing: Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
Perhaps the most exciting talent in the game. Lamine Yamal is a record-breaker and trailblazer for young talent, proving very much that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
After a breakthrough at Barcelona last season, he starred during Spain’s success at Euro 2024 to lead the tournament for assists and claim the Young Player of the Tournament award. He’s elevated again during the current campaign with 11 goals and 15 assists for a free-scoring Barcelona team. He’s already among the finest wingers in the world, at an age when most players are still yet to debut.
LAMINE YAMAL 😮💨😮💨😮💨
An absolute screamer from the 16-year-old!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPFRA pic.twitter.com/z4AaZwwWJp
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
Left-wing: Xavi Simons – RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig broke their transfer record to sign Xavi Simons last month after 18 months of excellence on loan in Germany. The deal for the Dutchman could reach €81m, a testament to his performances with the club. Simons has shone with Leipzig, where he has started to fulfil the potential first talked about as a teenager. Last season, he scored 10 times and created 15 more goals to earn inclusion in the Bundesliga Team of the Year.
Forward: Benjamin Sekso – RB Leipzig
At a time when elite centre-forwards are in short supply, Benjamin Sesko is on the radar of top clubs. The Slovenian striker has all the tools to become Europe’s next great goalscorer, with electric pace, a 6ft 5in frame, and powerful finishing off either foot. Arsenal are understood to be strongly interested in Sesko, who has scored 23 goals in just 37 league starts since signing for Leipzig from Salzburg.
What a strike from RB Leipzig’s 21-year-old Benjamin Sesko! 🔥
Jurgen Klopp was also in attendance to witness the stunner 👀 pic.twitter.com/tVi6myKNxy
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 12, 2025
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