Who is the Arsenal linked Greek wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas? | OneFootball

Arsenal are the latest club to be linked to teenage sensation Konstantinos Karetsas.

Here’s everything you need to know about the so called ‘Greek Messi’.

Contract status

In November, Karetsas extended his contract with Belgian club Genk which runs until 2027. The expected plan for Arsenal, were they to sign him, would be to loan him back to Genk for next season, a club he feels comfortable at.

“Genk is my home. I feel a lot of trust from the club,” Karetsas said.

“This is the best environment for me to keep growing, close to my family. I want to win trophies with KRC Genk and compete in Europe.”

He has spent his entire professional career with the Belgian side, after being promoted from Jong Genk in February 2024.

Style of play

Karetsas has earned the ‘Greek Messi’ nickname, probably due to his diminutive stature (5ft 7in) and his left-footedness. The 17-year-old has also been compared to Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard.

He’s shifty, quick on the half turn and has a wicked left foot. Growing up he watched clips of Neymar and Ronaldinho, which is demonstrated in the way he uses body feints and changes of direction.

Karetsas likes to play between the lines and has been utilised mostly as a number ten, but can also operate out wide too. He is a creative player who makes things happen for his side, and while he obviously still has a lot of developing, his potential is clear.

Are other clubs interested?

His father Vaios told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws last May: “RB Leipzig, Milan and even Manchester City invited us several times to come and have a look. We didn’t like it… the only team outside Genk where we had discussions was Ajax.”

Ultimately, they decided to stay at Genk last summer, but he could be on the move this time around.

Did you know?

Karetsas played his entire international youth career for Belgium after being born in Genk to Greek parents. But in March 2025, FIFA approved the change of association so that he could represent Greece instead of Belgium.

He made his international debut against Scotland on 20 March 2025 and scored his first goal three days later, also against Scotland. It made him the youngest Nations League goalscorer of all time at 17 years and 124 days old.

He believes he made the right decision to switch nations, saying: “If I had chosen Belgium, Greece would have always been in the back of my head.”

This could be another summer where he has a momentous decision to make, this time regarding his club future.