Again in 2022 we checked out 21 of the most productive girls’s gamers on the earth age 21 or below, and USWNT famous person Trinity Rodman was once No. 1. However there is a downside this yr: She’s now not below the age requirement, and nor is Manchester Town’s Mary Fowler.
So, who is a part of the following technology of height U21 stars? Lots of this yr’s crop have made their mark at the large level already — similar to on the 2023 Global Cup or within the UEFA Girls’s Champions League — however which gamers have finished sufficient to land a spot on ESPN’s listing, what are their specific qualities, and the way can they get even higher?
With more than one groups and leagues all over the world, it’s important to forged a large internet to search out the most productive, so Emily Keogh tested and ranked the sport’s youngest gamers with enter from ESPN’s newshounds within the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Why 21?
From an preliminary lengthy listing of fifty gamers, those that stay are those who very best happy the principle standards: appearances on the best point, constant efficiency over a sustained duration, and the prospective to grow to be a top-level footballer.
What form of analysis was once undertaken?
A sounding board constituted of gamers, managers, newshounds and enthusiasts was once used earlier than deciding at the ultimate ratings. Non-public desire additionally performed a job.
Is there a reason why attacking gamers dominate the listing?
On the whole, forwards get extra enjoying time at a more youthful age than, say, central defenders (like Ana María Guzmán) or goalkeepers (like Khiara Keating), who generally tend to want extra time to broaden tactical consciousness, positioning and figuring out of the sport.
It speaks volumes in regards to the array of attacking skillability that gamers like Alyssa Thompson, Rosa Kafaji and Korbin Albert did not make the overall reduce. Some, similar to Amanda Allen and Brooke Aspin, neglected out on attention because of long-term accidents.
Notes:
– Gamers integrated will have to be age 21 or below on March 1, 2025.
– Positions are: GK (goalkeeper), LB (left again), RB (proper again), CB (heart again), DM (defensive midfield), CM (central midfield), AM (attacking midfield), FW (ahead), ST (striker).
– Stats, by means of FBref, proper as of March 14.
Welcome to a listing of the most productive girls’s gamers on the earth below the age of 21. ESPN
The Record
Membership: FC Twente
Nation: Australia
Age: 18
A technically proficient midfielder, Galic possesses remarkable ball keep an eye on, imaginative and prescient and composure below power. Her talent to flow previous defenders very easily, dictate the pace of play and unharness tough moves from distance makes her a dynamic danger within the ultimate 1/3.
Since becoming a member of Dutch powerhouse FC Twente from Melbourne Town in July 2024, Galic has taken important strides in her building and now has enjoy at the Champions League level. For Australia, her standout performances at adolescence point cleared the path for a well-earned call-up to the senior squad in October, and she or he’s heading in the right direction to develop into a cornerstone of the Matildas’ crew for future years.
As she continues to hone her ever-growing ability set, her standing as considered one of Australia’s most enjoyable younger abilities is apparent.
One key stat: Regardless of enjoying simplest 20 mins throughout 3 video games for Twente within the UEFA Girls’s Champions League this season, Galic had an 88.9% move luck charge, which puts her 1/3 amongst her teammates.
Membership: Boca Juniors
Nation: Argentina
Age: 18
With 3 targets and one lend a hand in Argentina’s U20 Global Cup marketing campaign final yr, which ended towards Germany within the spherical of 16, Núñez has briefly emerged because the country’s subsequent soccer sensation and already has six caps for the senior crew.
Her technical talent is moment to none, together with her natural tendencies making her a relentless danger to opposing defenses. Whether or not unleashing tough long-range moves or showcasing her sharp footballing IQ, {the teenager} is a power to be reckoned with.
As she continues to broaden at Boca, a transfer to a extra aggressive league may well be at the horizon.
One key stat: In her 21 mins at the pitch right through Argentina’s 3-0 win towards Chile in February, Nunez had a 100% move of entirety charge from her 5 passes and two photographs.
Membership: Monterrey
Nation: Mexico
Age: 18
Soto was once first registered with the Mexican Soccer Federation on the age of 12, turning into the youngest feminine skilled footballer to take action. She made her BBVA MX Femenil League debut for Pachuca at age 13, briefly producing pleasure because of her immense attainable, and controlled 18 targets from 117 suits on the membership earlier than shifting to Monterrey in December 2024.
Regardless of being simplest 17 right through final yr’s Concacaf U20 Championship, Soto was once awarded the Golden Ball (the award for the most productive participant on the event), and her dramatic stoppage-time winner towards Canada no longer simplest showcased her grab talent but in addition secured Mexico’s position within the ultimate. Mexico would move directly to win the trophy with a 2-1 victory over america.
Soto has persisted to flourish with time and prospers in each attacking and defensive spaces, the place she loves to win the ball again and get started off assaults. She just lately netted two times in Monterrey’s exciting 3-2 victory over Cruz, as they search to win a 3rd BBVA MX Femenil League championship in a row, and has additionally discovered the again of the web for Mexico towards China PR and Chinese language Taipei.
One key stat: Soto has two targets and two assists from her 3 video games with the senior Mexico crew. She has had 5 photographs, and 60% have been not off course.
Membership: Bayern Munich
Nation: Germany
Age: 18
Having had a prolific adolescence occupation for Germany, the place she netted 8 targets on the U17 point and 7 with the U19s, Sehitler made her senior debut in November 2024 in a 6-0 win over Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland. Extra just lately, she was once thrust into the highlight right through an U23 pleasant towards England on Feb. 20 because the 18-year-old dazzled in Walsall, scoring a super brace to tilt the fit in Germany’s desire and seal a 3-2 win.
With 3 targets in 12 league appearances for Bayern Munich, she is gaining treasured enjoy along veteran stars like Pernille Tougher, and has inspired together with her imaginative and prescient, velocity and dribbling talent. Final week, she even prolonged her contract with Bayern till 2027. However with Germany legend Alexandra Popp just lately retiring at world point, Sehitler will probably be desperate to end up that she’s the perfect successor to fill her ambitious boots.
One key stat: Sehitler has 0.60 targets in keeping with 90 mins for Bayern within the Frauen-Bundesliga this season, at the back of simplest Tougher and Weronika Zawistowska (each 0.63).
Membership: San Diego Wave
Nation: Nigeria
Age: 19
One among Nigeria’s brightest younger abilities, Okwuchukwu was once signed by way of San Diego Wave from NWFL Premiership champions Rivers Angels within the January switch window, and now that she has the danger to compete in one of the vital global’s best leagues, she is going to without a doubt transfer additional into the highlight.
The ahead made her nationwide crew debut in 2022 at age 16, and her standout performances on the previous two U20 Global Cups became heads. Whilst this transfer appears like the start of her skilled adventure, her skillability is apparent. A Confederation of African Soccer Girls’s Younger Participant of the Yr nominee in 2024, she is able to end up she belongs at the large level.
One key stat: Okwuchukwu bagged two targets and one lend a hand from 4 suits on the 2024 U20 Global Cup.
Membership: North Carolina Braveness
Nation: Brazil
Age: 19
A dynamic ahead with blistering tempo, medical completing and an astute studying of the sport, Aline is considered one of Brazil’s most enjoyable younger abilities.
She made her skilled debut for Ferroviária at simply 15, briefly making an affect with 10 targets in 31 appearances, and attracted the eye of NWSL aspect NC Braveness final season. Her talent to take advantage of house and wait for strikes units her except for her friends, and she or he has proven she will be able to thrive in a large number of attacking roles.
In 2024, she earned her senior debut for Brazil right through the Concacaf W Gold Cup and, with the Seleção below a duration of transformation as a number of in their older figures (together with the mythical Marta) are stepping clear of world soccer, Gomes is ready to be a key a part of the brand new technology.
One key stat: Aline had a mean of four.15 touches within the opposition field in keeping with 90 mins, which was once 7th at the Braveness squad in 2024.
Membership: Bayern Munich
Nation: Japan
Age: 19
Tanikawa is a smart instance of ways a mortgage transfer can also be some of the efficient pathways for growing younger skillability. After signing for Bayern in January 2024, she shone right through an outstanding stint at Norwegian aspect Rosengård (with 16 targets in 20 video games within the 2024 Damallsvenskan) and wasted no time making an affect upon her go back to Munich — scoring a target and offering an lend a hand in simply her moment fit.
Alternatively, it was once her breathtaking long-range winner for Japan towards Brazil on the Paris 2024 Olympics that in point of fact offered her to the sector. Her self belief, outstanding ability and technical brilliance have established her as a recreation changer and constant fit winner.
With 3 targets in 9 appearances for her nationwide crew, Tanikawa continues to achieve precious enjoy at the world level and display why Bayern can also be desirous about her long run.
One key stat: Tanikawa takes 4.29 photographs in keeping with 90 mins for Bayern, which is essentially the most within the squad with Pernille Tougher (3.15) moment.
Membership: Manchester United
Nation: England
Age: 21
Along with her twenty second birthday on March 31, she simplest simply makes the reduce. However only a yr after being offered to the senior England setup, Clinton stepped as much as fill the gaps left by way of accidents and has briefly develop into considered one of Sarina Wiegman’s maximum depended on gamers.
Recognized for her adaptability, tactical intelligence and flexibility, Clinton has seamlessly transitioned from her same old attacking midfield function right into a extra box-to-box line of defense for her nation. Within the Countries League win towards the reigning global champions, Spain, she held her personal towards their elite midfield.
Having proven her composure, paintings charge and talent to dictate play whilst on mortgage at Tottenham Hotspur final season, she returned to Manchester United over the summer time and, with 5 targets in 14 video games, it is no accident that they now sit down joint-second within the WSL.
One key stat: Clinton tops the Guy United squad within the WSL this season no longer just for goal-creating movements (37) but in addition for tackles tried (55) and received (37), proving how flexible she is.
Membership: Barcelona (on mortgage at AS Roma)
Nation: Italy
Age: 18
Having signed for Barcelona at age 16 and been nominated for the Golden Lady award (very best under-21 in Europe) in 2023, Dragoni is not any stranger to the highlight and is broadly considered some of the promising younger abilities in girls’s soccer.
Simplest months earlier than her transfer to Spain, she made historical past because the youngest participant to characteristic in a Serie A fit because the league’s skilled technology started, when she made her debut for Inter Milan. Now again in Italy on mortgage at Roma for the 2024-25 season, Dragoni is refining her recreation at an elite membership whilst gaining extra enjoy. Regardless of enjoying simplest 10 league suits right through her time at Inter and Barcelona, her remarkable technical talent, sharp tactical thoughts and poise make her a standout skillability.
One key stat: Dragoni is fourth within the Roma squad this season for shot-creating movements in Serie A, with 48.
Membership: Crimson Superstar Belgrade
Nation: Serbia
Age: 20
Matejić is one of the lesser-known names in this listing, however her skillability and attainable are simple. As the highest scorer (5) on the contemporary UEFA Girls’s U19 Championship for Serbia (in spite of enjoying simplest 3 video games), she is atmosphere herself as much as be considered one of Europe’s subsequent large stars.
These days starring for Crimson Superstar Belgrade locally, Matejić’s razor-sharp completing makes a transfer to a height Eu membership really feel inevitable, and it may well be pivotal in unlocking her complete attainable as her recreation continues to conform. She has 23 targets in 17 suits for Serbia’s U19s, and her effort towards England on the U19 Eu championship — through which she showcased her tempo, shut keep an eye on and dribbling ability — was once nominated for the FIFA Marta Award 2024.
One key stat: Matejić scored 4 targets from six video games for Serbia’s senior crew within the contemporary Euro 2025 qualifiers, at 1.09 non-penalty targets in keeping with 90 mins.
Membership: Chelsea
Nation: England
Age: 21
Beever-Jones has loved a unbroken upward thrust via Chelsea’s adolescence ranks into the primary crew, and she or he is now an important part in their ambitious assault. Final season, she discovered the web in 5 consecutive video games, whilst she has already contributed six targets to Chelsea’s spectacular 45-goal tally within the WSL this marketing campaign.
Her versatility lets in her to thrive each at the wing and in central attacking roles. Along with her tempo, technical talent and eye for target, she is unexpectedly turning into considered one of England’s most enjoyable attacking abilities and obviously discovered so much from mortgage spells with Bristol Town and Everton, particularly within the defensive aspect of her recreation.
If she continues this manner, then a spot at her first senior main event for England is inside her snatch at Euro 2025.
One key stat: Beever-Jones ranks 1/3 for Chelsea this WSL season in touches within the opposition penalty house (65), at the back of Mayra Ramírez (105) and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (96).
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May just Ajax’s Lily Yohannes be at the transfer this summer time?
Alexis Nunes is joined on Futbol W by way of Emily Keogh to speak about USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes and the place her long run may well be this summer time.
Membership: Ajax Amsterdam
Nation: United States
Age: 17
Remarkably, Yohannes has but to show 18 however has already been thrust into the highlight with the Netherlands and america vying for her world allegiance. In any case, Emma Hayes and the USWNT received the fight, and the verdict is already paying dividends.
A midfield prodigy at Ajax, Yohannes blends her herbal skillability with sharp tactical consciousness past her years. Her composure at the ball, talent to dictate play and knack for breaking defensive traces make her stand out.
She earned her first begins for the USWNT right through its contemporary SheBelieves Cup marketing campaign — the place she helped protected a silver medal — and the hype round her is implausible as she continues to broaden.
One key stat: Already considered one of Ajax’s standout attacking gamers,Yohannes gives 0.50 targets and assists in keeping with 90 mins, putting her 6th amongst her teammates this season.
Membership: Chelsea
Nation: Netherlands
Age: 19
Regardless of having made simplest 17 senior appearances for Chelsea up to now, Kaptein’s adulthood, intelligence and talent to learn the sport are obtrusive, however what units the younger midfielder aside is her sheer physicality. In midfield battles, she persistently comes out on height, an outstanding feat given the depth of the WSL, whilst her tenacity and ability in regaining ownership have allowed her to damage into some of the aggressive and talent-rich squads round.
Now that Kaptein has the chance to be told from two of the most productive defensive midfielders on the earth, Keira Walsh and Erin Cuthbert, she is going to simplest recuperate. However she already has confirmed herself to be a key determine in Chelsea’s pursuit of a 6th consecutive name, and the way forward for their midfield appears protected in her fingers.
One key stat: Regardless of her loss of mins, Kaptein is 9th within the Chelsea squad for ball recoveries (5.74 in keeping with recreation).
Membership: Barcelona
Nation: Spain
Age: 21
Regardless of lacking a bit of this season — and the latter a part of the previous one — because of damage, the Barcelona winger has greater than earned her position in this listing. A 3rd-place end within the 2024 Ballon d’Or made certain of that and solidified her standing a number of the global’s elite.
Since making her go back for the 2024-25 marketing campaign, Salma has discovered the web six instances in 8 league appearances. Whilst she has but to achieve the blistering shape that noticed her rating an astonishing 34 targets in 36 video games throughout all competitions final season, she is incessantly running her as far back as being the phenomenal ahead she can also be.
A former sprinter, Salma is likely one of the quickest gamers on the earth and is the one participant (guy or girl) to have received U17, U20 and senior Global Cups.
One key stat: Salma has essentially the most photographs in keeping with 90 mins (5.43) at Barcelona within the league this season.
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1:40
Is Best friend Sentnor destined for greatness?
Alexis Nunes is joined on Futbol W by way of Emily Keogh to speak about the upward push of Utah Royals’ Best friend Sentnor.
Membership: Utah Royals
Nation: United States
Age: 21
Sentnor took over from Jaedyn Shaw as she was once named the 2024 U.S. Football Younger Participant of the Yr after a breakout season with Utah Royals, incomes her first USWNT call-up. And she or he carried that momentum into 2025, making an early remark by way of scoring two surprising targets right through February’s SheBelieves Cup.
However lengthy earlier than she stuck USWNT supervisor Hayes’ consideration, Sentnor was once already marked for greatness. The No. 1 pick out within the 2024 NWSL draft, she shone at North Carolina — some of the embellished methods in global soccer, recognized for generating champions and top-tier coaches.
Having captained the U.S. to a third-place end on the FIFA Beneath-20 Global Cup in 2024 and received the Bronze Ball (for the third-best participant on the event), Sentnor has demonstrated her very good management functions. Certainly, Hayes may no longer wish to glance a ways for a successor to crew captain Lindsey Lots when she retires.
One key stat: In her one season at Utah, Sentnor had the crew’s maximum photographs (68), which is much more than second-placed Hannah Betfort (39). And 35.3% have been not off course.
Membership: Lyon
Nation: Brazil
Age: 21
Tarciane showcased her brilliance on the Paris Olympics, enjoying a pivotal function in main Brazil to a silver medal. It is uncommon {that a} central defender — let on my own one so early in her occupation — breaks into the Ballon d’Or balloting. But, in her debut nomination final yr, Tarciane ranked twenty third, completing forward of one of the vital recreation’s greats.
It was once no marvel, then, that Lyon paid a reported $830,000 — one of the vital best switch charges on the earth and a number of the best ever in NWSL historical past — to signal her from the Houston Sprint, in spite of the reality she performed simplest 13 instances for them. Tarciane’s composure and defensive prowess already exceed her years, and now, as a part of a powerful again line along France veteran Wendie Renard, she is ready to refine her recreation on the best point.
One key stat: In her first Lyon recreation, a five-minute cameo vs. Strasbourg, Tarciane finished 100% of her seven passes.
Membership: North Carolina Braveness
Nation: United States
Age: 20
Shaw has loved a meteoric upward thrust during the last few years. After a standout adolescence occupation, she was once named U.S. Football Younger Participant of the Yr in 2022 and made her senior world debut in October 2023, scoring simply 3 days later towards Colombia. Through August 2024, she had etched her title in historical past as an Olympic gold medalist.
Breaking into the USWNT — the four-time global champions — is certainly not a small feat. But Shaw no longer simplest earned her position however briefly proved to each a brand new trainer, Hayes, and a passionate fan base that she is the way forward for American football. And, with 8 targets in 21 appearances, she has sponsored up the hype with performances that show off her immense skillability.
A dynamic and flexible attacking midfielder, Shaw blends technical brilliance with creativity, making her a relentless danger within the ultimate 1/3. Set to depart the San Diego Wave forward of the 2025 NWSL season, she is going to start a brand new adventure with NC Braveness and can glance to carry her recreation even additional.
One key stat: Shaw is robust within the air and received 28 aerial duels within the 2024 NWSL (51.9%), at the back of simplest defender Kristen McNabb (33, 53.2%) within the Wave squad.
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1:33
Why individuals are excited to look at Jaedyn Shaw
Emily Keogh tells Alexis Nunes on Futbol W why individuals are excited to look at North Carolina Braveness’s Jaedyn Shaw.
Membership: Chelsea
Nation: Japan
Age: 20
Hamano has briefly established herself as an important participant below Chelsea supervisor Sonia Bompastor this season. And whilst it was once former supervisor Emma Hayes who first known her immense attainable — captivated by way of her velocity, technical talent and ability — and signed her from Hammarby in 2023, it’s Bompastor who has taken Hamano’s recreation to the following point.
Beneath Bompastor’s steerage, the teen has developed right into a dynamic and flexible participant who can seamlessly adapt to more than one roles around the pitch. Whether or not deployed as a winger, striker or attacking midfielder, Hamano has showcased her talent to steer a recreation in several techniques, and her fast building makes her considered one of Chelsea’s most enjoyable potentialities.
One key stat: Hamano is diligent in her defensive tasks as she is 1/3 in Chelsea’s listing of blocks in keeping with 90 mins within the WSL (1.92) and fourth in tackles received (1.92).
Membership: Actual Madrid
Nation: Colombia
Age: 20
Caicedo was once simply 17 when she was once named the most productive participant on the 2022 Copa América Femenina, after which she made an unforgettable impact for Colombia right through the 2023 Global Cup.
Off the pitch, she has confronted immense demanding situations right through her occupation. In the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, on the age of 15, she underwent six months of remedy for ovarian most cancers earlier than creating a outstanding go back to coaching in 2020. Now, she is a a very powerful determine for Colombia, with 9 targets in 32 video games in overall, using their persisted luck whilst proceeding to broaden at Actual Madrid along elite abilities like Caroline Weir and Signe Bruun.
With seven targets and 5 assists throughout Liga F and UWCL this season, Caicedo is likely one of the very best midfielders on the earth and will probably be pivotal if Actual Madrid hope to triumph over Arsenal and advance within the Champions League.
One key stat: Caicedo likes to run with the ball at her ft and her innovative carries (80) within the league dwarf the ones of her Madrid teammates, with Athenea del Castillo (55) subsequent at the listing.
Membership: Lyon
Nation: Haiti
Age: 21
Probably the most potent attackers within the French Première Ligue, midfielder Dumornay has been unstoppable this season, scoring 13 targets in as many league video games. Breaking into the beginning XI at Lyon — a membership with a wealthy contemporary historical past of home and Eu dominance — is spectacular. But, the Haiti world hasn’t simply earned her spot, she has develop into undroppable.
Since becoming a member of Lyon from Reims 18 months in the past — simply earlier than her breakout marketing campaign on the 2023 Global Cup — Dumornay’s recreation has grown exponentially. Finding out from a few of Europe’s greatest finishers, together with Lindsey Lots, Ada Hegerberg, Kadidiatou Diani and Tabitha Chawinga, she has delicate her craft and has proven herself to be an entire midfielder. And the scariest section? She’s nonetheless simplest 21.
One key stat: Dumornay has taken 61 photographs (32 not off course) within the league, miles forward of Lots’ 49 (18 not off course).
Membership: Barcelona
Nation: Spain
Age: 18
It must come as no marvel that the present Golden Lady sits atop a listing stuffed with immense skillability. At simply 18 years previous, López has already netted 18 targets in 51 league video games since her debut for Barcelona in 2022 — a outstanding feat for anyone so younger — and her skilled adventure started at 16 when she made historical past because the youngest debutant for the Catalans. From that second on, she has delivered some a very powerful performances and scored in key suits, all whilst nonetheless at school.
Regardless of her age, her trophy cupboard is already stacked: 3 Spanish Tremendous Cups, two Liga F titles, one Spanish Cup and two Champions Leagues. She has shared a pitch with two Ballon d’Or winners (Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas) and a large number of nominees, which has increased her footballing IQ and technical ability. And if there is a best possible method to announce your self at the world level, it is by way of debuting on your nation off the bench within the UEFA Countries League ultimate at simply 17 … and successful it.
One key stat: In an aspect brimming with such attacking skillability, López sits moment within the squad in xG in keeping with 90 mins (0.79) at the back of simplest Ewa Pajor (1.07).
