Goal counts down the top 50 talents born on or after January 1, 2002 from all around the world
Read our expert's guide to best new betting sites available in the UKGoal50Ilaix Moriba | Barcelona
Excitement has been building at Barcelona around Ilaix Moriba for years, with ‘the new Pogba’ having excelled ever since arriving at La Masia from Espanyol at the age of 10.
A defensive midfielder who cites Sergio Busquets as his idol, the 18-year-old has taken his first strides into the Barca senior squad this season, making his debut for Ronald Koeman’s side in January.
Already earning an annual salary of €2 million (£1.7m/$2.2m), Moriba’s release clause of €100m (£87m/$109m) only serves to illustrate the esteem in which he is held at Camp Nou.
Full NXGN profile: Ilaix Moriba (April 2020)
AdvertisementGoal49Takuhiro Nakai | Real Madrid
An attack-minded midfielder, Takuhiro Nakai has been on Real Madrid’s books since the age of nine, after impressing the Blancos during a training camp in his homeland.
Now 17, the Japan youth international has already been called up to train with Zinedine Zidane’s first-team squad on more than one occasion this season, with the playmaker regarded as one of the most talented players within the Fabrica system right now.
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Full NXGN profile: Takuhiro Nakai (March 2021)
Goal48Maarten Vandevoordt | Genk
The youngest goalkeeper in Champions League history, Maarten Vandevoordt is the latest product of a Genk academy that has produced the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois in recent years.
The 19-year-old, who grew up on the same street as ex-Liverpool shot-stopper Simon Mignolet, is regarded as the ideal modern goalkeeper, with his ability with the ball at his feet almost equalling what he is capable of producing with his hands.
Goal47Jayden Braaf | Manchester City (loan at Udinese)
Dubbed ‘the new Sancho’ since his early days at Manchester City, 18-year-old winger Jayden Braaf is regarded as one of the most naturally talented attacking players of his generation.
A former youth star at Ajax and PSV in his native Netherlands, a combination of injuries and concerns over his application have seen him fall out of favour at City, with it hoped his current loan spell with Udinese in Serie A will kickstart his young career.
Previously a target of both Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, there are certainly plenty of potential suitors for Braaf if he is unable to make the grade at the Etihad Stadium.
Full NXGN profile: Jayden Braaf (February 2020)
NXGN exclusive: Braaf's 'incredible talent' hailed by Udinese scout