The sad reality is approaching where the players we grew up with are getting up in age. Cristiano Ronaldo will be 38 years old in February and Lionel Messi just turned 35. They both most likely be playing in their last World Cup this Winter in Qatar. The torch has arguably already been passed to the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, but there are other young footballers that are just waiting their turn for the spotlight. Today we’re going to talk about five players that I think have the potential to be stars for years to come. Let’s get into it.
1. ST Brian Brobbey, Ajax
If you know football, you know that the Ajax academy is just built different. Brian Brobbey is a 20 year-old striker born and raised in Amsterdam, Netherlands and is an Ajax academy graduate. After scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances in the U19 side, Brobbey was quickly called up to the senior side. After the end of the 2021 season, his time at Ajax seemed to have come to an end as RB Leipzig had signed him on a four-year contract through 2025. Brobbey struggled for the German side, never really fitting in to the starting XI, as he only made nine appearances for the first team. In December of 2021, Leipzig decided to loan the young Dutch striker back to his hometown club for the rest of the season. Brobbey would then flourish for Ajax, scoring seven goals and assisting once in 11 appearances under Erik Ten Hag. Ajax wouldn’t let him go again, immediately signing him for $16.5 million on July 22nd. With a full season coming up with Ajax, don’t be surprised if you see Brobbey on a top team in the next couple of years.
2. CM Carney Chukwuemeka, Aston Villa
With Carney Chukwuemeka, Jude Bellingham and Harvey Elliot, the English national team has the midfield locked down for years to come. The 18 year-old is a smooth dribbler on the ball while standing at a sturdy 6′. Chukwuemeka is now learning under one of the best midfielders ever in Steven Gerrard meaning that he will only get better. Top clubs such as Liverpool, AC Milan and FC Barcelona have all been linked with him in the past. The noise surrounding him is only going to get louder.
3. ST Endrick, Palmeiras
The Brazilian factory has produced yet another wonder-kid in Endrick from Palmeiras. Endrick is a 16 year-old striker and has bags of potential. Endrick possesses great pace and has the typical Brazilian flair that European clubs ooze over. Major clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all keen on the youngster and I don’t think it’ll be too long until we see him make the trek across the Atlantic to play European football. Endrick himself has named Barcelona as his “ideal” next club as the Brazilian legends before him like Neymar, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo have all thrived there.
4. CAM Fabio Carvalho, Liverpool
When you think of the typical Jurgen Klopp midfielder, Fabio Carvalho is almost the perfect example. The young Portuguese attacking midfielder has joined Liverpool this summer after bagging 11 goals and 8 assists last year for Fulham. After winning the Championship last year, Liverpool were quick to act and earned Carvalho’s signature on a five-year contract. Carvalho is quick on the ball, has a great feel for the game and can draw and escape pressure from virtually any defender. The 19 year-old will also be learning under Thiago Alcantara, one of the best midfielders in the world, who will help him mold into the quick pace of Klopp’s pressing style. In two friendlies played so far Carvalho he has showed plenty of promise even assisting Darwin Núñez against RB Leipzig. The future is bright for Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool Reds.
5. CF Youssoufa Moukoko, Borussia Dortmund
The youngest ever player and goalscorer in Bundesliga history, Youssoufa Moukoko is destined for greatness. Moukoko scored over 140 times in three youth-team seasons for Dortmund and was called up to the senior team literally as soon as possible. With Erling Halaand departing for Manchester City this summer, Moukoko has his sights set as becoming Dortmund’s main man in the years to come. Don’t be surprised if you see Moukoko leading the German national team one day.
The game of football never lets off the gas pedal. A new era of talent and excitement always awaits no matter what. You might even see some of these names starting for their respective countries in the 2026 World Cup. This is YSN, until next time, signing out.
