The UEFA Champions League league phase kicks off on Tuesday night as 36 teams gear up to compete on Europe’s grandest stage.
With the footballing world watching on, it’s also the chance for some of Europe’s brightest young talents to showcase their potential.
Here, we run through 10 youngsters expected to shine in the Champions League this season.
Hamza Abdelkarim - Barcelona
Barcelona made Hamza Abdelkarim’s move permanent earlier in the summer. The Egyptian teenager initially joined on loan at the turn of the year. However, the Spanish giants have been taken aback by Abdelkarim’s obvious potential.
The young striker comes alive in the opposition box, preferring to get on the end of chances rather than drop deeper to link up with teammates. While Barcelona may want their forwards to knit the play together, Abdelkarim thrives when he’s presented with the opportunity. Fans will quickly forget about the failed pursuit of Julian Alvarez once the 18-year-old integrates himself into the first team.
Ibrahim Mbaye - Aston Villa
Having been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, Aston Villa ultimately signed Ibrahim Mbaye as part of a mass squad overhaul. The Villans were incredibly active in the summer market to help ease the exits of the likes of Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.
Head coach Unai Emery will hope Mbaye’s experience in the Champions League will boost Villa’s chances of progressing to the knockout stages. Best down the right but able to play on the left, the Senegal international utilises his pace to great effect on the flanks.
Givairo Read - Feyenoord
After being heavily linked with a summer move to Nottingham Forest, Feyenoord did well to retain Givairo Read’s services. The Dutchman is a regular starter for the Eredivisie powerhouse, despite only turning 20 back in June.
The archetypal modern-day right-back, Read is able to bombard up the right flank or invert into midfield to boost Feyenoord’s dominance. Their ability to retain the youngster’s services will increase the likelihood that they make it beyond the league phase.
Konstantinos Karetsas - Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund invested well this summer, with Greek teenager Konstantinos Karetsas arguably the stand out addition. Having previously been linked with a move to England, the 18-year-old has made a bright start to life in the Bundesliga.
Karetsas is hugely effective down the right flank, and impresses through the middle. In the latter role, he’s able to maximise his keen eye for a defence splitting pass. In this young, vibrant Dortmund side, Karetsas’ attacking capability could prove key.
Rio Ngumoha - Liverpool
While Liverpool failed to secure a like-for-like replacement for Mohamed Salah - new signings Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola are more effective from the left - Reds fans are hopeful the addition of the pair doesn’t impact Rio Ngumoha’s development.
Part of the reason behind the decision to not sign a Luis Diaz replacement last summer was to avoid blocking Ngumoha’s path to the first team. The 18-year-old utilises his low centre of gravity and speed across the ground to peg defences back.
Renato Nhaga - Galatasaray
Renato Nhaga’s first team minutes have been limited following his winter switch from Casa Pia to Galatasaray. The reigning Turkish Super Lig champions favour experience in the middle of the park.
Even so, Nhaga has the tools of the trade to succeed for the Turkish giants. Indeed, he is happy to sit deep to help protect the defence when the full-backs push on, or drive forward in possession when he does win the ball. With an impressive passing range, it won’t be long before Nhaga is a regular for Gala.
Victor Froholdt - FC Porto
Danish creator Victor Froholdt managed six goals and six assists in his debut Liga Portugal season as FC Porto won the title. While the 20-year-old is yet to contribute towards a league goal in the 2026/27 campaign, Froholdt has still started the campaign well.
A ground-eating midfielder, Froholdt utilises his athleticism to work hard off the ball and, crucially, make box-crashing runs to arrive late into the penalty area. This is an unheralded trait that Porto will hope can guide them beyond the league phase.
Kaua Elias - Shakhtar
Shakhtar struck gold when they signed Kaua Elias from Brazilian side Fluminense last year. The 20-year-old has come on leaps and bounds over the last 18 months, having netted three goals already in the Ukrainian Premier League this season.
Elias’ performances have also caught the eye of Premier League pair Manchester United and Arsenal, and for good reason. The young striker operates as a fluid forward, who drifts across the frontline to drag markers out of position. He’ll hope to explode onto the scene in the Champions League.
Jacobo Ramon - Como
It’s hard to believe that Jacobo Ramon is only 21 years of age. The Spaniard plays with the nous of a seasoned professional, with his best quality undoubtedly his distribution. Como are a side that dominate possession, so Ramon’s ability to pick out a teammate is vital.
And in the Italian side’s debut European campaign, this trait will increase the likelihood of Como springing an upset or two over the next few months. Ramon, meanwhile, is already well-known on these shores. He’s well on his way to superstardom as one of Europe’s brightest centre-backs.
Yan Diomande - Real Madrid
Real Madrid took a gamble on Yan Diomande this summer. The Ivorian has enjoyed a whirlwind 18 months, culminating in a big money move to the Bernabeu. Diomande, after all, ranked top for completed take ons in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig last season.
The issue for Diomande, however, is that he has a certain Vinicius Junior ahead of him in the pecking order in Spain. Saying that, head coach Jose Mourinho is likely to rotate his star men more now that the action is set to pick up. Expect to see more of the 19-year-old wing-wizard, who may well be the ace up Mourinho’s sleeve.
