Europe’s next generation has already arrived, with our latest Wonderkid Watch highlighting the young players who produced the biggest performances across the continent’s top leagues last season.
Using our Wonderkid Watch ratings, we have selected an XI of the standout players aged under 20 from the 2025/26 campaign.
To qualify, players needed to have played at least 500 minutes, with the ratings based on our positional model and designed to assess players against the specific demands of their role.
…and one name sits clearly at the top.
Yamal leads the way
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal recorded the highest rating of any player in the XI with an outstanding 9.4.
The winger leads a front three packed with exciting young talent, alongside Said El Mala, who earned an 8.0, and Yan Diomande, who finished with an 8.7 rating.
Yamal’s score was the highest in the entire team, but he was not the only player to break the 9.0 mark.
Defender Luka Vuskovic recorded a superb 9.0, making him the highest-rated defender in the side after a hugely impressive 2025/26 campaign.
He is joined in defence by Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi, who scored 8.7, AC Milan youngster Davide Bartesaghi on 8.8, and Sascha Britschgi, who completed the back line with a 6.4 rating.
Midfield packed with talent
There is no shortage of quality in midfield either.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaire-Emery earned an 8.8, underlining his status as one of Europe’s most established young midfielders despite still fitting the Wonderkid Watch criteria.
He is joined by Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl, who scored 8.7, and Johan Manzambi, who earned an 8.0 rating.
In goal, Robin Risser takes the No.1 shirt after recording an 8.5.
LiveScore Wonderkid Watch XI
GK: Robin Risser
DEF: Sascha Britschgi, Luka Vuskovic, Pau Cubarsi, Davide Bartesaghi
MID: Johan Manzambi, Warren Zaire-Emery, Lennart Karl
FWD: Lamine Yamal, Said El Mala, Yan Diomande
With the new season now under way, these are the young players we will be keeping a particularly close eye on as they look to build on their impressive 2025/26 campaigns.
