It’s the start of the year, and UEFA.com has gathered insights from its reporters, correspondents, and editors across Europe to predict which young talent could make a significant impact in 2024. To qualify, players must be 21 or under at the beginning of the year. They aim to follow in the footsteps of previous stars like Erling Haaland (2019), Rafael Leão (2020), Jude Bellingham (2021), and Gavi (2022). It will be difficult to determine the best young players in the world, but it will have to be done.
Nestory Irankunda
Nestory Irankunda has wowed the Australian football community with his remarkable dribbling and knack for scoring stunning goals over the past two years. Debuting in the A-League with Adelaide United at just 15, Irankunda has consistently found the net in spectacular fashion. He’s known for effortlessly maneuvering past defenders and launching the ball into the top corner from the tightest angles.
Though rumors of a move to Bayern Munich circulated for months, Adelaide United retained him for another season due to his 18th birthday falling outside the transfer window. Nearly becoming the youngest-ever Socceroo when called up in March, Irankunda has been hailed by the Australian media as the most thrilling young talent to emerge from the domestic league. He has finally joined Bayern and is on course for a promising career.
Gianluca Prestianni
In July 2023, it seemed like the in-demand Prestianni was on his way to FC Porto, but he chose to stay with Vélez Sarsfield to help them avoid relegation. Europe could wait. Known for his speed and skill in one-on-one situations, Prestianni’s talent is undeniable. He became the youngest player to represent Vélez’s first team at just 16 years, three months, and 22 days during a Copa Libertadores game last year.
The youngster scored his first league goal in March 2023 and has made 37 appearances for the first team to date. However, the journey has not always been smooth. Now at SL Benfica after the Portuguese giants signed him earlier this year, he is due for a long and fruitful career at the club level.
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Cavan Sullivan
Who is the youngest player to ever play professional soccer? The soccer world has a new star, and he’s only fourteen! Cavan Sullivan made Major League Soccer history on July 17 by becoming the youngest player to take the field for the Philadelphia Union in their game against the New England Revolution.
Oliver Lukic
Lukic has always been taller than his peers, standing at 6ft 1in at just 17 years old. Despite his height, his ball control is exceptional. Technically gifted and elegant on the field, he caught attention at the Austria Wien academy. Dinamo Zagreb tried to recruit him to his parents’ homeland, but Red Bull Salzburg ultimately won out, thanks to their reputation for nurturing young talent.
Lukic joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2022 and made his debut for Liefering, their reserve team, in May 2023. This season, he has started as a regular and seems set to join Salzburg’s first-team squad soon. Having played for Austria’s Under-18s, his progress is being closely watched by senior national team coach Ralf Rangnick. With the Croatian FA likely to pursue him as well, Lukic’s future looks bright. Stay tuned!
Julien Duranville
Julian Duranville was once the crown jewel of Anderlecht’s Purple Talents youth academy. When Vincent Kompany managed Anderlecht in 2022, he gave Duranville his debut, and it is clear why. Duranville stands out for his incredible pace and acceleration, coupled with impressive skills. Some scouts have even compared him to Kylian Mbappé and Jérémy Doku, although these comparisons might be a bit premature.
Unfortunately, injuries have already marked his career and slowed his progress. Borussia Dortmund signed him early in 2023 while he was recovering from a severe hamstring injury. He has made one appearance as a substitute and suffered another injury during pre-season. Dortmund remain hopeful that this season will see him become a key player.
Final Words
This report highlights a recent rise in the number of players under 18 being fielded in the big-5 European leagues. This trend has become particularly noticeable in 2022, the first year after the pandemic, partly due to clubs being allowed up to five substitutions per match. Although the 2023 figure (49 minors) is below the record set in 2022 (61 minors), it still significantly exceeds the 15-year average (34.7 minors).
This trend is most prominent in France’s Ligue 1, which acts as a stepping stone to other major leagues. This status has been reinforced by financial challenges stemming from the pandemic and the collapse of Mediapro, the previous holder of domestic broadcasting rights. Additionally, France’s extensive pool of young talent contributes to this phenomenon.