Wonderkids Abroad: The Next Generation of Global Stars Emerge

From Argentina to Australia, and from Brazil to Belgium, the CIES Football Observatory has identified the most promising young players outside of Europe’s elite leagues. In a world where football is becoming increasingly global, it’s not just the big-five European leagues that are breeding grounds for future stars. The top 10 list features a diverse range of talent, including Argentine midfielder Alexis Macassery from River Plate, Brazilian striker Gilvan from Vasco da Gama, and Turkish forward Yusufo Germas from Gaziantep FK. But it’s not just the big clubs that are producing wonderkids. Smaller teams like Middlesbrough in England, Hapoel Be’er Sheva in Israel, and Wellington Phoenix in Australia are also spotting talent that could go on to great things. The CIES Observatory’s research group takes into account factors such as a player’s age, performance level, and potential for growth, as well as their transfer market activity and international representation. By using this data, the list provides an accurate snapshot of the most exciting young players outside of Europe’s big leagues. Some of the notable mentions on the list include 19-year-old Argentine midfielder Alejandro Gómez from Tigre, 20-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper Gabriel Batista from São Paulo, and 18-year-old Turkish winger Umut Mertçał from Rizespor. While it’s impossible to predict the future with certainty, these young players are undoubtedly ones to watch as they continue to make their mark on the global football stage.