The big sports market’s momentum pushes clubs, even the most powerful ones, to find and nurture talent much earlier than usual, sometimes even during adolescence. This can involve buying talent at a high price or helping young players reach their potential quickly. FC Barcelona is a great example of this, with two standout young players, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí. Both played key roles in the recent Champions League match against Naples, helping Barcelona qualify for the first time in four years. They will face another rising star, Warren Zaire-Emery from PSG, in the next round. While the list of young talents in other clubs is still taking shape, these players are already making a mark.
FC Barcelona
Lamine and Cubarsí, two record-breaking youngsters
Barça beat Naples (3-1) with two young players in the lineup. Center back Pau Cubarsí, at just 17 years and 50 days old, became the youngest player to debut in the Champions League knockout phase. He was also named the MVP of the match by UEFA. Winger Lamine Yamal, at only 16 years old, also made history by playing in the round of 16. Lamine is considered the most promising talent of his generation, valued at 60 million euros by Transfermarkt. He has played 38 games this season, scoring 6 goals and providing 7 assists in over 2,000 minutes. Cubarsí, who debuted in January, has already played in 12 Barça games, starting most of them. His rapid progress has yet to be reflected in his Transfermarkt valuation, which currently stands at 1.5 million.
PSG
Warren Zaire-Emery, starting at just 18
At just 18 years old, Warren Zaire-Emery is making waves at PSG, similar to the Lamine-Cubarsí phenomenon at Barça. Like Xavi at Barcelona, Luis Enrique is closely watching this French midfielder who has already scored 3 goals and provided 6 assists in 32 games with the first team. His value, according to Transfermarkt, is the same as Lamine Yamal’s: 60 million.
Bayern
Mathys Tel making appearances
Mathys Tel is starting to make appearances at Bayern, although not as frequently as his three younger teammates. This French left winger, who joined Bayern from Stade Rennais for 20 million euros in July 2022, has already played in 32 games this season at 18 years old, but has not yet reached 900 minutes of play with the first team. He has 7 goals and 4 assists and is valued at 50 million by Transfermarkt.
Borussia Dortmund
Paris Brunner, yet to reach the top
Paris Brunner was named the best player of the U-17 World Cup by FIFA, which he won in Germany at the end of 2023. Despite just turning 18, he is a promising talent who, despite being part of a club known for promoting young talent, has not yet been considered ready for his debut with the first team.
Real Madrid
Nico Paz, waiting for his breakthrough
Nico Paz, son of former Tenerife player Pablo Paz, has shown glimpses of his potential as a midfielder in the Real Madrid first team, but his impact in the top tier has been limited so far. At 19 years old, older than the others mentioned, he has made 8 appearances totaling 128 minutes across 4 League games, 3 Champions League games, and 1 Cup game, scoring 1 goal. The Argentine international is valued at 10 million by Transfermarkt.
Juventus
Kenan Yildiz, Making Waves with Allegri
It’s clear that 18-year-old playmaker Kenan Yildiz is becoming a key player for Max Allegri, the coach of Juventus. Despite his young age, this Turkish talent, who left Bayern’s youth academy in 2022, has already played in 20 first-team games, scoring 3 goals in a total of 677 minutes. His value is estimated at 30 million by Transfermarkt.
Manchester United
Garnacho, a Rising Star at Old Trafford
Alejandro Garnacho, the Argentine international from Madrid, is not only a fearless winger, but he’s also becoming a key player in Manchester United’s first team. At just 19 years old, he has played 37 games this season, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists. The former Atlético youth player, who joined Old Trafford in September 2020, is valued at 40 million by Transfermarkt.
Liverpool
Bajcetic, Dealing with Physical Setbacks
Stefan Bajcetic has only appeared in 2 games for Liverpool this season. The midfielder from Vigo is facing challenges after an injury that occurred following his impressive debut into the elite, where he played 19 games under Jürgen Klopp at just 17 years old. An abductor injury has kept him sidelined, but fans are hopeful for his full recovery and return to form. At 19 years old, he is valued at 11 million by Transfermarkt.
AC Milan
Camarda, the Sixteen-Year-Old Sensation
Francesco Camarda, at just 16 years old, is the promising star of Italian football. Standing at an impressive 1.84 meters tall, this ambidextrous center forward from Milan is expected to be a standout player, attracting interest from other top clubs despite his limited experience in the elite level, which is understandable given his age. With 12 minutes played across 2 Serie A games, his market value is already at 10 million euros, a clear sign of his potential.
Inter Milan
Carboni is honing his skills at Monza
Valentin Carboni, a 19-year-old Argentine midfielder who is part of Inter Milan, is gaining valuable experience in the top tier of Italian football while on loan at Monza. He has already played 22 games in Serie A and the Italian Cup, showcasing his attacking abilities with 2 goals and 4 assists in just over 800 minutes. Valued at 15 million by Transfermarkt, Inter sees him as a promising player with a bright future that they want to nurture.
This content has been translated and adapted from the Spanish version of the digital newspaper
