Seven wonderkids who could explode in 2025/26 – Rising stars to watch across Europe | OneFootball

In times of inflated player prices and economic crises, top clubs seem more willing to bet on young players than ever.

With the stage set for a new generation of talent to step into the spotlight, next season could mark the rise of future superstars destined to shape the next era of football.

Let’s look at the seven players who could have a breakout season in 2025/26.

Ayden Heaven

Ruben Amorim’s first season in charge of Manchester United was an unmitigated disaster, with the club experiencing their worst-ever finish in the Premier League era.

In addition to their domestic struggles, United missed out on Europa League glory as Tottenham Hotspur narrowly beat them to the punch.

However, Amorim wasn’t shy of giving up-and-coming Old Trafford talents a chance to play on the big stage, with Ayden Heaven emerging as one of the club’s top prospects.

Heaven’s intimidating physical presence and athleticism set him apart, making him a standout figure in United’s youth sector and a potential breakthrough candidate for the first team.

The 18-year-old boasts outstanding spatial and tactical awareness, demonstrating excellent positioning and an understanding of the game beyond his years.

With Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof leaving United, the 2025/26 season could be Heaven’s opportunity to establish himself as a permanent first-team fixture at the Theatre of Dreams.

Giovanni Leoni

Serie A fans are intimately familiar with the name of Giovanni Leoni.

Despite his young age, the 18-year-old is already among the division’s most highly sought-after defenders.

Parma paid Sampdoria a mere €5 million to capture his services last summer and could make at least six times that figure in the coming weeks.

AC Milan and Inter Milan are ready to start a transfer tug-of-war to sign the Italian prodigy, who enjoyed a rise to stardom under Cristian Chivu last term.

Leoni is a perfect prototype of a modern-day centre-back.

His physical stature allows him to dominate aerial duels and hold his ground against robust strikers. His composure on the ball is nothing short of impressive, making him a decent fit for top-tier clubs.

Italian football has become famous for producing top defensive talents ever since the days of Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini, and Leoni could be the next big thing.

Marc Bernal

Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy has been a factory of talent, producing players such as Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi.

In recent years, Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal have followed in their footsteps, rising through the Camp Nou youth ranks to shine for both Barcelona and Spain.

Marc Bernal was on his way to becoming another La Masia product to take La Liga and European football by storm, only for a nasty cruciate ligament tear to curtail his development.

However, the 18-year-old has returned to full fitness and could get a more prominent role in Hansi Flick’s set-up in 2025/26, perhaps filling Busquets’ shoes at the heart of Barca’s midfield.

Tom Bischof

Purchased by Bayern Munich for a reported fee of only €300,000, Tom Bischof leaves TSG Hoffenheim as an established Bundesliga star, carrying the reputation as the nation’s wonderkid.

Bischof’s career trajectory has followed the path of Andrea Pirlo, who adjusted to a more conservative role at Milan after playing as an advanced playmaker.

The 20-year-old graduated from Hoffenheim’s academy as a classic ‘No.10’ before becoming a deep-lying playmaker thanks to his pinpoint passing and vision.

However, competition for places at the Munich Football Arena is as fierce as it gets. Bischof will have to fight Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Joao Palhinha for a place in the starting XI.

Franco Mastantuono

Comparisons with his illustrious compatriots, such as Angel Di Maria and Messi, have made the Real Madrid-bound Franco Mastantuono one of the most exciting young prospects in world football.

It’s no wonder Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain tried to hijack the 17-year-old’s transfer to Madrid, albeit to no avail.

The broad audience had the opportunity to witness the Argentine starlet’s exceptional talent during the 2025 Club World Cup, despite River Plate’s failure to advance past the group stages.

Mastantuono’s left foot is capable of producing magic, while his playing style represents a perfect mix of Messi’s playmaking ability and Di Maria’s flair and explosiveness on the flank.

Despite his burgeoning potential and high expectations, the question remains – will he have enough space to demonstrate his class in Madrid’s star-studded squad?

Just look at what happened to Arda Guler.

Konstantinos Karetsas

Speaking of players who can make things happen in an instant, Konstantinos Karetsas is probably the most promising youngster in the Belgian Pro League.

Nicknamed ‘The Greek Messi’ in his native country, Karetsas burst onto the big stage in 2024/25 with Genk, helping the club reach the play-offs and eventually secure a fifth-place finish.

The 17-year-old winger made his professional debut at the age of 15 and had already turned down invitations from Milan and Man City to join their academies.

Now courted by Arsenal and several other clubs, Karetsas could take his career to the next step this summer.

Last season was a success for the teenage sensation, as he broke into Greece’s senior team, becoming the youngest player to score in the Nations League.

Rodrigo Mora

It’s impossible to make a list of talents without including young guns from the Primeira Liga.

Porto’s Rodrigo Mora had a breakout season at Estadio do Dragao that many of his peers can only dream about.

The 18-year-old forward defied his age and inexperience to earn a regular spot in the first team at a club competing for domestic and international titles.

Mora was a difference-maker in his first senior season at Porto, racking up ten goals and four assists across 23 top-flight appearances.

While best suited for the role of an attacking midfielder, Mora likes to drift into different channels. His versatility allows him to play on both wings and cut inside with surgical precision.