Club World Cup: Five exciting young talents to watch | OneFootball

The FIFA Club World Cup begins this week as the expanded tournament takes to the United States this summer.

FIFA’s relaunch of the competition offers intrigue and there’s plenty of talent on show. Ahead of the first fixture this weekend, we’ve picked out five exciting young talents to watch.

Club World Cup: Five exciting young talents to watch

Estevao Willian – Palmeiras

Estevao Willian will head to Europe after the tournament having agreed to sign for Chelsea last year. The 18-year-old is regarded as one of South America’s biggest talents and will hope to wave farewell to Palmeiras with a strong summer.

At just 16, he helped the Brazilian side to a Serie A league title in 2023 and was named the best player in the league in 2024.

Earlier this month, he started Carlo Ancelotti’s first game as Brazil manager and has already won five senior caps. Excitement levels around Estevao are understandably high and he is targeting a breakout tournament on the world stage.

Rodrigo Mora – Porto

Rodrigo Mora’s step up into the senior side at Porto has been a seamless transition. The teenager was the top scorer in the UEFA Youth League in 2023/24, before leading last summer’s u-17 European Championship for goals. Handed his first-team chance, Mora took it with both hands.

The attacking midfielder scored 10 goals and created four more in the Primeira Liga, despite starting just 16 times for Porto.

Plenty of eyes will be on the 18-year-old this summer. He looks likely to bank one of Europe’s best selling clubs a windfall in the near future.

Wesley – Flamengo

Wesley continues to be touted with a move to Europe and a strong Club World Cup could consolidate interest in the defender.

A traditional Brazilian full-back with a desire to join the attack, the 21-year-old has racked up 130 senior appearances for Flamengo and made his senior debut for Brazil earlier this year.

In 2024, he was named in the Team of the Year for both the Brasileirão and Copa do Brasil.

Franco Mastantuono – River Plate

Real Madrid have won a transfer tug-of-war with Paris Saint-Germain to land Franco Mastantuno, another South American starlet set for Europe after the tournament.

The 17-year-old broke into the River Plate team last year and has continued to thrive for the Buenos Aires giants.

This season, he’s scored seven times in 20 appearances, including a fantastic free-kick in the Superclásico against Boca Juniors.

He became the youngest River player ever to score in the fixture and will soon link up with a superstar cast of talent in Madrid.

Kenan Yildiz – Juventus

Kenan Yildiz came of age in a Juventus shirt last season with the playmaker a positive in an up-and-down campaign for the Turin side.

Yildiz scored seven times as Juventus secured Champions League qualification and was named in the Serie A Team of the Season.

The Turkey international inherited the club’s famous number 10 shirt last season and does not appear to be wilting under the expectation.

Read – Every player to break the Premier League transfer record since 92/93

See more – Six players to watch at the under-21 European Championship

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