Some of the most exciting young players on the planet are set to be on show in the U.S. this summer
The much-discussed Club World Cup is now just days away from getting underway in the United States, and while the competition will see established superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi face off, it also offers the opportunity for some of the best young players on the planet to strut their stuff on the global stage.
It's not unusual for previously little-known teenagers to become a household names the world over thanks to their performances during a summer tournament, and while the Club World Cup isn't yet at the level of its international counterpart given the expanded format is only making its debut in 2025, there will still be plenty of eyes watching out for the next superstars of the game to emerge.
But who are those who need to be on your radar ahead of Saturday's kick-off in Miami? GOAL breaks down the top 10 NXGN-aged (born in 2006 or later) starlets to keep track of over the next month…
AFPEstevao Willian (Palmeiras)
Fans outside of South America have likely seen the umpteen viral clips of Estevao Willian in action for Palmeiras over the past 12 months, but the Club World Cup will offer many their first chance to watch the most exciting Brazilian talent since Neymar play a match in full.
Having already agreed to join Chelsea for a fee of £56m ($71m) this summer, it wasn't initially known whether Estevao would represent the Blues or his boyhood team at this tournament. However, the decision was made for the 18-year-old to use the Club World Cup as a farewell to Palmeiras, for whom he has already scored 26 goals in 78 competitive appearances.
A fleet-footed forward who was nicknamed 'Messinho' as he came through the ranks in Sao Paulo due to his similarities in style to the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Estevao will come up against the legendary Argentine and Inter Miami in the group stages as he aims to show the world just why everyone at Stamford Bridge is so keen to get him to west London ahead of next season.
AdvertisementAFPFranco Mastantuono (River Plate)
Real Madrid fans, meanwhile, will be licking their lips at the prospect of catching their newest teenage signing from South America in action during this tournament. Franco Mastantuono has been turning heads for over a year with his performances for River Plate, and he will bid farewell to his boyhood club this summer after a deal was agreed for him to move to the Spanish capital after the Club World Cup.
Madrid are set to pay €40m (£33m/$45m) to sign Mastantuono after pushing themselves ahead of Paris Saint-Germain to the front of the queue for the 17-year-old midfielder. The youngest goal-scorer in River's storied history, Mastantuono has taken his game to new levels in 2025, with his superb free-kick goal against Boca Juniors in the Superclasico an illustration of both his talent and confidence on the biggest stage.
He has also just become the youngest player to ever make their debut in a competitive match for Argentina, and this summer promises to be a real coming-out party for one of the very best teenage players on the planet.
Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowGetty Images SportIan Subiabre (River Plate)
River aren't finished when it comes to producing young stars, though. The same academy that has recently nurtured Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Claudio Echeverri and Mastantuono has plenty more where they came from, with Ian Subiabre set to be the next teenager to take the Monumental by storm.
The 18-year-old, who can play either as a winger or central striker, has started to earn regular opportunities with the River first team, while Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been credited with interest in signing Subiabre. Given the success of some of his predecessors, don't be shocked if he becomes a household name in the not-too-distant future.
Alvaro Montoro (Botafogo)
While River possess the most-talked about Argentine academy right now, the work being done at Velez Sarsfield shouldn't be ignored. World Cup winner Thiago Almada is the pick of a number of high-quality youngsters who have emerged from the current Primera Division champions' youth sector over the past decade or so, and there is a suggestion that Alvaro Montoro could be the pick of the lot.
Likened to Andres Iniesta as he came through the ranks at Velez, Montoro scored three goals in five Copa Libertadores games this season before he was snapped up by the reigning South American champions, Botafogo, ahead of their appearance at the Club World Cup.
As such, given he is so new to the Brazilian side's squad, Montoro might have to be patient for opportunities during the tournament. However, if the 18-year-old attacking midfielder does see the pitch in the U.S., he will be keen to show just why Borussia Dortmund, among others, were so keen to bring him to Europe before Botafogo swept in.
