Rising Stars in European Soccer: Whom to Watch in the Europa League Seasons

Every season, new rising stars appear. These players are more than just prospects – they are the future of soccer. In this article, we’ll cover some of the most promising soccer wonderkids of the 2024/25 season.

The Next Generation of Soccer Superstars

European soccer never fails to amaze me, and this season is no exception. Its current prospects showcase sometimes mindblowing performances despite their age (and some of them are incredibly young). So, let’s check the situation across the leagues. 

English Premier League: Premier League Young Stars

The English Premier League (EPL) is home to some of the best young soccer players in the world. And this season is going well in terms of new prospects as well, if you ask me.

Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal F.C.

Born in London, Ethan Nwaneri joined Arsenal’s academy at just 9 years old, quickly rising through the ranks. At the age of 15, he became the youngest player in EPL history. 

Nwaneri’s decision-making and ability to spot runs make him a perfect fit for Arteta’s tactics.  In 2024/25, he played 18 Premier League matches, resulting in 6 goals and 5 assists. 

Nico O’Reilly, Manchester City F.C.

Nico O’Reilly was born on 21 March 2005 in Manchester. When he was 8 years old, he joined the Manchester City Academy. At the age of 18, O’Reilly got into City’s first-team rotation as a midfielder. 

His ability to pick out key passes and composure in tight spaces led him to contribute 3 goals and 4 assists within 10 Premier League appearances in 2024/25.

Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United F.C.

Native to Stockport, 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo joined Manchester United’s academy at the age of 9. Solid ball control, dynamism, and defensive awareness earned him a senior team debut at 17 years old. 

Mainoo participated in 22 EPL matches in the 2024/25 season. He scored twice and provided 4 assists while maintaining an awe-inspiring 91% pass completion rate. 

Serie A: Young Italian Soccer Prospects

Italy is not far behind with its own soccer future stars who have all the chances to establish themselves in one of the toughest leagues in the world.

Francesco Camarda, AC Milan

Francesco Camarda was born in the hometown of his future club in 2008. He started his career at a football school in Affori, and in 2015, he joined the AC Milan academy. The little 13-year-old prodigy scored over 480 goals playing for the academy. 

When you are ahead with results like Camarda was, making your first professional appearance is only a matter of time. That’s precisely what happened to him. At the age of only 15, during AC Milan vs Fiorentina, he became the youngest Serie A player ever.

Kenan Yıldız, Juventus FC

Kenan Yıldız was born in Bavaria, where he later joined the youth academy of Bayern Munich at the age of 7. His strong leadership abilities were noticeable, leading him to act as a captain. 

In July 2022 Yıldız became a free agent, making legendary teams like Barcelona and Juventus compete to sign him. As you might have guessed, it was Juventus that got such promising new blood.

Giorgio Scalvini, Atalanta BC

Born in Chiari, Italy, on 11 December 2003, Giorgio Scalvini started his career in Atalanta’s academy. At the age of 18 he played his first Serie A game against Inter Milan as a substitute, showing a maturity beyond his years. 

In the 2024/25 season, the 20-year-old center-back has become an asset for Atalanta with his excellent technique and aerial dominance (Giorgio is 6 ft 4 in).

Ligue 1: Best Young French Soccer Players

Ligue 1 clubs tend to focus on youth development, consistently “manufacturing” worthy players. Let’s take a look at some of the current promising stars.

Warren Zaïre-Emery, Paris Saint-Germain

Paris-born Warren Zaïre-Emery joined PSG’s academy at 8 years old and became their youngest-ever player at 16 years. Now a regular in the 2024/25 season, he’s participated in 24 matches, with 4 goals and 7 assists. 

Zaïre-Emery is a midfield menace, able to play in all positions thanks to his good shape and great game-reading skill. For his remarkable performance, Zaïre-Emery got the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (2024) award proving his right to be on our list.

Eliesse Ben Seghir, Monaco FC

Eliesse Ben Seghir was born on 16 February 2005 in Gassin, France. He developed his skills in local academies and made his way to AS Monaco’s youth setup at the age of 14. The young talent with good technique, and game sense, made his senior debut with Monaco at just 17 years old. 

Now, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder has 7 goals and 5 assists in the 2024/25 season. His dribbling, close control, and speed make him one of the most promising playmakers in French football. 

Mika Biereth, Monaco FC

Born in Denmark, Mika Biereth developed at Fulham’s academy. In 2021 he signed his first contract with Arsenal as a forward. During his days with the Gunners, he demonstrated outstanding performance becoming a top scorer of the season with 23 goals.  

After a series of loans, Biereth ended up signing with Monaco on 11 January of this year, already scoring 10 times. He’s a consistent top scorer, and it seems he’s not going to slow down.

German Bundesliga: Best Young Bundesliga Players

The Bundesliga, ranked 4th by UEFA in the current season, has a lot of soccer wonderkids to talk about. Here are my personal favourites. 

Florian Wirtz,  Bayer Leverkusen

Hailing from Pulheim, Germany, 21-year-old Florian Wirtz came through FC Köln’s academy before joining Bayer Leverkusen at the age of 16. In 2024/25, the 21-year-old has 12 goals and 14 assists, making him one of Bundesliga’s best attacking midfielders. 

His remarkable stats, agility and aggressive playstyle earned him this term’s Bundesliga Player of the Season award. A quite, talented player with a bright future, in my opinion.

Aleksandar Pavlović, Bayern Munich

Born in Munich to Serbian parents, this defensive midfielder started his career in Bayern Munich’s youth academy at the age of 7. He made his senior team debut in 2023. 

20-year-old Pavlović has played 17 Bundesliga matches in 2024/25, with an 89% pass completion rate and 4.2 ball recoveries per game. His style reminds me of Joshua Kimmich, and his potential suggests he could be a long-term pillar in Bayern’s midfield.

Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich

Born in Stuttgart, Jamal Musiala moved to England as a child. There, he joined Chelsea’s academy before returning to Germany to sign a contract with Bayern Munich at 16. Later, he debuted in the Bundesliga in June 2020. 

In 2024/25, the 22-year-old has scored 11 goals and provided 9 assists for Bayern, proving himself a worthy attacking midfielder. Musiala is most known for his astonishing dribbling and tricks, earning the nickname “Bambi”. An expressive player from Bayern Munich who deserves your attention.

La Liga: Young Spanish Soccer Players

La Liga is the best of them all (in my honest opinion). This league always had one of the greatest young soccer talents. With clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid investing in young talent, those players are coded to dominate Spanish and European football. Let’s check how the current season is going. 

Lamine Yamal, FC Barcelona

Born in Mataró in 2007, Yamal spent his childhood in Granollers, where he started playing soccer in La Toretta club at the age of 4. At 6 years old, little Yamal got scouted by Barcelona. 

He became the youngest Barça player ever at only 15 years old. Now, at 17, he’s undoubtedly one of the most critical parts of Xavi’s team, having stats of 9 goals and 10 assists in 2024/25. His dribbling and attacking flair make him a great winger.

Pau Cubarsí, FC Barcelona

Another young prodigy from Barcelona was also born in Spain in 2007. He started his career with Girona, and after that, Cubarsí joined Barça’s famous La Masia academy in 2018. 

At just 17, he has already played 15 La Liga matches in the 2024/25 season, showing incredible intelligence in defense. Considered by many to be one of the best young defenders in the whole world, Cubarsí is on his way to achieving greatness. 

Endrick, Real Madrid FC

18-year-old Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa is originally from Brazil. He started his career with Brazilian Palmeiras. Later, he made his senior professional debut with that club. Finally, he was signed by Real Madrid in 2024. 

Endrick hasn’t wasted any time making an impact. He’s already scored 10 goals in 16 matches, showing great potential. If he continues on this path, he could be Real Madrid’s next superstar forward.

Dutch Eredivisie: Best Players from the Eredivisie

The Eredivisie, currently takes 6th place among the European leagues according to UEFA. It looks like it’s been overtaken by Ajax, with the amount of rising stars it has. Let’s have a look at their rising prodigies. 

Xavi Simons, RB Leipzig

Xavi Simons, now 21 years old, comes from Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He developed at La Masia, later joining PSG in 2019. Currently, playing at Leipzig, he has an impressive 11 goals and 12 assists in the 2024/25 season. 

For his excellent performance and determination, he got the Eredivisie Player of the Year award in 2024. Since he’s a well-acknowledged prodigy, I believe he’ll move to a more elite club, once his current contract is over.

Jorrel Hato, AFC Ajax

Born in the Netherlands in 2006, Jorrel Hato is one of the most promising defenders coming from Ajax’s youth academy in recent years. He made his debut for the senior team in 2022 against Den Bosch. The 18-year-old center-back has already played 20 Eredivisie matches in 2024/25 as a center-back and left-back. 

Despite his being great at defense, he scored 5 goals and 7 assists this season, showing his decent attacking skill. Hato has the chance to have a great soccer career. 

Mika Godts, AFC Ajax

Born and raised in Belgium, Mika Marcel Godts started his path in the sport in Genk’s academy before moving to Ajax in 2023. Since his debut that year, the 19-year-old winger has become one of the most efficient young attackers in the Eredivisie. In 2024/25, he has 8 goals and 6 assists in 19 matches. 

His ability to take on defenders, combined with his quick decision-making in the final third, has drawn comparisons to Eden Hazard. As for now, Godts has all the opportunity to become a valuable player on the national team. 

Belgian Jupiler Pro League: Best Jupiler Pro League Players

The Jupiler Pro League might not be as successful as previously mentioned leagues, but it still has potential future soccer stars. Let’s check them out.

Luka Vušković, K.V.C. Westerlo

Native of Croatia, 18-year-old Luka Vušković is one of the most promising young defenders to emerge from Hajduk Split’s academy. The 18-year-old center-back made history as one of the youngest debutants in the Croatian league before securing a move to Tottenham Hotspur. 

In the current season he’s on loan to Westerlo. Vušković has played 15 matches as a center-back in the Jupiler Pro League with 3 assists and 2 goals. Expected to return to Tottenham in 2025, Vušković could become a remarkable player in the Premier League.

Konstantinos Karetsas, K.R.C. Genk

Konstantinos Karetsas was born in Genk, Belgium in 2007. Coming from Genk’s academy, he’s now considered to be one of Jupiler Pro League’s most exciting young talents. He made his professional debut as a fifteen-year-old in the opening game of the 2023-24 season. 

In 2024/25, he has played 15 matches, contributing 4 goals and 6 assists, showing his ability to score and create for Jong Genk. With dual eligibility, he has yet to decide between Belgium and Greece at the international level. 

Joel Ordóñez, Club Brugge KV

Born in Ecuador, Joel Ordóñez honed his skills at the Independiente del Valle’s academy, a club known for producing top South American talents. In 2022, he joined Club Brugge, where he took the role of a successful center-back.

At 20 years old, Ordóñez has played 18 matches in the 2024/25 season showcasing proper performance. 

The Future of European Soccer

I feel pretty optimistic about the future of the European soccer scene. In some cases, it’s already evident that some of the young players are destined to become new superstars reaching Ronaldo/Messi level. In my opinion, La Liga is the most promising league for new talent.

By Kai Iliev

Updated: 07 Mar 2025, 14:08