5 hours ago
2
TM worldwide experts
©IMAGO
Since the tournament kicked off on Monday, the stars of tomorrow have been strutting their stuff at the U17 World Cup. Over the next few weeks in Qatar, bundles of promising talents will not only be battling it out for the trophy, but also be playing their way into the international spotlight and using the tournament as a springboard for potentially big careers. With the help of our international network, Transfermarkt is taking a closer look at those players who are predicted to have a great future in their home countries - these are the youngsters to keep an eye on!
Destiny Elimoghale: Is Italy's wild card about to rise to stardom?
Aniello Luciano, Content Manager Italy at Transfermarkt: "Dortmund's Samuele Inácio was already one of the outstanding players at the last U17 European Championship and is one of the most promising attacking talents in Italy - but there is another youngster in the Azzurrini ranks who is worth keeping an eye on: Destiny Elimoghale. The Juventus winger, who has already made his mark in the Primavera League and the Youth League, is the youngest player in the Italian squad, but his potential already makes him a valuable addition. He perfectly combines speed, intensity, technique and tactical understanding. He could become the decisive factor for Daniele Franceschini's team as a super-sub.
Kaden Braithwaite: Is the City talent ready for a loan move?
Ben Littlemore, Content Manager UK at Transfermarkt: "Kaden Braithwaite became Manchester City's youngest player to appear in a competitive match this century (and the third youngest in their history) at the age of 16 years and seven months when he played for the Sky Blues in the EFL Cup last year. The centre-back already shows leadership qualities and composure on the ball that are well beyond his years. He was the standout defender for England's U17 national team at last summer's European Championships and is likely to play a key role for the team in Qatar as well. Braithwaite has a good eye for precise diagonal passes and, at 1.94 metres tall, is extremely strong physically. His prospects of playing for Pep Guardiola's team are still considered modest, but a convincing World Cup could be the impetus for a loan-move and a promising future in the Premier League.
Abdoulaye Camara: Leading player for ambitious French side
Ronan Caroff, Area Manager France at Transfermarkt: "Abdoulaye Camara is the only one of the 21 French youngsters who already plays abroad: he moved to Udinese in the summer after Montpellier were relegated to Ligue 2. Prior to that, he had progressed through all the ranks at his youth club, from the U17s to the second team. His playing style is considered calm and aggressive at the same time; he is strong in one-on-one situations and with long passes, and he also takes on the role of communicator on the pitch. He recently named N'Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba as his role models. Camara is sure to be a key player in this ambitious French team, which reached the European Championship final in May.
Angelo Candido: Following in the footsteps of Cafu and Jorginho
Thiago Rabelo, Content Manager Brazil at Transfermarkt: "Angelo Candido is a full-back who is the subject of high expectations in Brazil. The youngster is considered a player who is set to follow in the footsteps of greats such as Carlos Alberto Torres, Leandro, Jorginho, Cafu, Maicon and Dani Alves. This exceptional talent possesses enormous physical strength and combines defensive and offensive qualities with a high degree of game intelligence. He was signed by Strasbourg before his 17th birthday and will move to France in January 2026 from his youth club São Paulo.“
Mathew Baker: Australian-born player opts for Indonesia
Fahmi Desianto, Area Manager Indonesia at Transfermarkt: "Mathew Baker is undoubtedly one of the greatest defensive talents in Asia. The Australian-born left-back came through the Melbourne City youth academy, where he recently signed a professional contract and was promoted to the first team. Last year, he made his debut for the Australian U17 national team after previously playing for Indonesia's youth team – however, Baker subsequently decided to remain with the Indonesian association. He is considered to be very advanced in his football development for his young age. Although Indonesia is not one of the favourites in the tournament, Baker is likely to stand out in Qatar.
Can Armando Güner: Goal scorer eligible to play for three nations
Lara Karacan, Area Manager Turkey at Transfermarkt: "Can Armando Güner usually plays on the right wing, where he impresses with his dynamism, strong technique and good finishing – as he demonstrated impressively in last season's U17 Bundesliga final. Borussia Mönchengladbach's current U19 player is considered one of the most exciting offensive talents of his age group. In the U17s, he scored 26 goals and provided 11 assists in 44 games, before seamlessly continuing this form in the U19s (6 goals and 4 assists in 15 games) – figures that underline his goal-scoring threat as a winger. Due to his German-Argentinian-Turkish roots, he is eligible to play for several associations, which makes him particularly interesting internationally. Nevertheless, he has initially opted for Argentina.
Leon Jakirović: Talent passed down from his father
Aniello Luciano, Content Manager Italy at Transfermarkt: "Signing players from Dinamo Zagreb's youth academy has rarely proved to be a mistake for big European clubs in the past – Leon Jakirović would be a promising next candidate. The left-footed centre-back has strong build-up play skills and also combines aerial ability, ball winning and strength in challenges. The Croatian youngster's talent was passed down to him by his father Sergej Jakirovic, a former Bosnian international and current manager of Hull City. The 1.91-metre-tall left-footer can also play as a defensive midfielder or left-back, and his future undoubtedly lies with a top club.
Cavan Sullivan: MLS debut at 14 - Before the move to Man City
Manuel Veth, Area Manager US & North America at Transfermarkt: "Cavan Sullivan of Philadelphia Union is one of the most fascinating talents in North America. The 16-year-old attacking midfielder, who has both US and German citizenship, became the youngest player in MLS history in March at the age of 14 years, nine months and 20 days. His talent has been obvious for some time. Not only the German Football Association - Sullivan will remain with the USA for the time being – has taken notice of him, but also Manchester City. Although neither side can confirm the deal because the attacking midfielder is still a minor, it is understood that once Sullivan turns 18, he will be off to Man City. That deal, according to Philadelphia Inquirer, is worth $5 million (€4.6m).
Abdellah Ouazane: Africa Cup winner from the Ajax academy
Aniello Luciano, Content Manager Italy at Transfermarkt: "The Ajax academy is renowned for nurturing talent, and Abdellah Ouazane is one player who has come through the ranks at the traditional Dutch club. The Moroccan is technically gifted and impresses with his vision, speed, technical elegance and flexibility in terms of position: he can play both in attacking midfield and on the left wing. He already proved his exceptional talent in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, the Dutch second division, at the age of just 16. As playmaker and MVP of the U17 Africa Cup, he played a key role in Morocco's victory.
Wisdom Mike: Second youngest debutant in Bayern history
Thomas Deterding, editor-in-chief at Transfermarkt.de: "Wisdom Mike, the most valuable player among the DFB youngsters with a market value of €3 million , is already set to sign his first professional contract with FC Bayern when he turns 18 – without an exit clause. Mike got his first taste of professional football in the Bundesliga and Champions League this season under Bayern coach Vincent Kompany. He also played for the second team in the Regionalliga (fourth division) and for Bayern's youth team in the UEFA Youth League, among others, scoring a total of three goals in seven competitive matches. At exactly 17 years and two days old, the winger was the second-youngest Bayern debutant in history when he made his top-flight debut at the end of September, and the tenth-youngest in the Bundesliga since 1963.
Rafael Quintas: João Neves' successor already in the starting blocks
Aniello Luciano, Content Manager Italy at Transfermarkt: "In a country as rich in talent as Portugal, there is no danger of João Neves lacking worthy successors in the long term. The U17 team already has a captain who can fulfil the role of midfielder in a modern way and at the highest level: Rafael Quintas. His qualities are obvious: technical perfection, especially when receiving the ball, constant control of the game, versatile moves and excellent positioning. At just 17 years of age, he is already an important part of Benfica's U23 team, where he recently demonstrated his keen eye for goal (2 goals in 9 games). He was voted best player at the U17 European Championship.
