Genius prodigies to watch
Top European football clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain all boast young talent with huge potential.
According to the March 2024 vote, Ramine Yamal (Barcelona), Endrick (Palmeiras and Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain), Matisse Tel (Bayern Munich), Kobe Maynu (Manchester United) are the young talents of 18 and under to watch in the world right now.
When Erik ten Hag promoted Maynou to United's first-team squad at the start of the year, he was immediately given his chance. A product of Carrington's academy, the 2005-born player has shown great potential and a calm style of play that doesn't match his age. The 18-year-old midfielder made his debut for the 'Three Lions' in a friendly in March and put in an impressive performance. In both confrontations against Brazil and Belgium, Menou performed well. Head coach Gareth Southgate has praised the Manchester United midfielder and that the player has a good chance of playing at Euro 2024.
In the race to find a new generation of prodigies in European football, Bayern Munich does not want to fall behind in front of Barcelona or Real Madrid. Earlier this month, the German club showed that ambition by renewing the contract of Mattis Tel for five years (until 2029).
The 18-year-old French striker had just joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022 but quickly showed his potential. The 2005-born genius has to compete closely with top stars such as Bayern striker Harry Kane or Thomas Müller, but he has also scored 10 goals in 43 appearances for the German club.
Against the backdrop of Kylian Mbappe's departure from Paris Saint-Germain almost this summer, the French club plans to create a new icon, and that is Warren Zaire-Emery. The 2006-born midfielder is one of the most talked-about prodigies in European football over the past few years.
At the age of 16, Warren Zaire-Emery made his first senior appearance for Paris Saint-Germain. This season, the France international midfielder has been heavily used by manager Luis Enrique. He regularly started at the heart of PSG's midfield. Zaire Emery is a versatile player, but he is being positioned as a top midfielder at the level of Rodri or Pogba.
Endrick made a name for himself in March friendlies for the national teams, becoming the first player after Pele to score in two consecutive games for the Brazilian national team before the age of 18. Spectacular performances against England and Spain continue to keep the 17-year-old highly anticipated.
Ramine Yamal has been voted by experts as the best player in the world at the moment. At the age of 16, Yamal has shown great potential this season, constantly breaking records or setting new milestones.
Since the beginning of the season, Yamal has made 39 appearances in all competitions for Barca, scoring six goals and providing seven assists, something that even Lionel Messi or Neymar can't do. Yamal is also currently a starter for the Spanish national team. Occupies the starting position of the Spanish national team.