TM experts illuminate
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Since Monday, the stars of tomorrow have been taking part in the U17 World Cup. Numerous promising talents will not only fight for the title in Qatar in the coming weeks, but will also play their way into the international spotlight and use the tournament as a springboard for potentially great careers. With the help of its international network, Transfermarkt takes a closer look at those players who are predicted to have a great future in their home countries – you should definitely have these guys on your list!
Destiny Elimoghale: Is Italy’s Joker star rising?
Aniello Luciano, Content Manager Italy at Transfermarkt: “Dortmund’s Samuele Inácio was already one of the standout players at the last U17 European Championship and is one of the most promising offensive talents in Italy – but there is another youngster in the Azzurrini ranks who should be kept 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 in the Italian selection’s squad, but his potential already makes him valuable Reinforcement. He perfectly combines speed, intensity, technique and tactical understanding. As a joker, he could become a decisive factor for Daniele Franceschini’s team.
Kaden Braithwaite: Is City talent recommended for a loan?
Benjamin Littlemore, Content Manager UK at Transfermarkt: “At the age of 16 years and seven months, Kaden Braithwaite became Manchester City’s youngest player to play in a competitive game this century (and the third youngest in history) when he played for the Sky Blues in the EFL Cup last year. The centre-back is already showing leadership qualities and composure on the ball that go far beyond his age. He was the standout defender for the England U17 national team at the European Championships last summer and is also expected to play a key role in the team in Qatar. Braithwaite has a good eye for precise diagonal passes and is physically extremely strong at 1.94 meters tall. His prospects for playing in the club with Pep Guardiola’s professionals are still considered manageable, but a convincing World Cup tournament could be the impetus for a loan and a promising future in the Premier League.
Abdoulaye Camara: leading player among ambitious French people
Ronan Caroff, Area Manager France at Transfermarkt: “Abdoulaye Camara is the only one of the 21 French youngsters who is already playing abroad: He moved to Udinese Calcio in the summer after Montpellier was relegated to Ligue 2. He had previously gone through all stages at his training club from the U17 to the second team. His style of play is considered to be calm and aggressive at the same time, he is strong in one-on-one and long passes, and he also takes on the role of communicator on the field. As He recently named N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba as role models. They will certainly be the leaders of this ambitious French team, which reached the European Championship final in May.
Angelo Candido: On the trail of Cafu and Jorginho
Thiago Rabelo, Content Manager Brazil at Transfermarkt: “Angelo Candido is a full-back with great expectations in Brazil. The youngster is considered a player who is expected to follow in the footsteps of greats such as Carlos Alberto Torres, Leandro, Jorginho, Cafu, Maicon and Dani Alves. The exceptional talent has enormous physical strength and combines defensive and offensive qualities with a high level of game intelligence. He was signed by Strasbourg before his 17th birthday and will move from his in January 2026 São Paulo Training Club to France.”
Mathew Baker: Australian native chose Indonesia
Fahmi Desianto, Area Manager Indonesia at Transfermarkt: “Mathew Baker is undoubtedly one of the greatest defensive talents in the Asian region. The Australian-born left-back went through Melbourne City’s youth academy, recently received a professional contract there and was promoted to the first team. Last year he made his debut for the Australian U17 national team after previously playing for the Indonesian youth team – however, Baker subsequently decided to stay with the Indonesian association. His footballing development is considered to be of a young age “Although Indonesia is not one of the favored teams at the tournament, Baker is likely to stand out in Qatar.”
Can Armando Güner: Goal guarantor eligible to play for three nations
Lara Karacan, Area Manager Türkiye at Transfermarkt: “Can Armando Güner mostly plays on the right wing, where he impresses with dynamism, strong technique and good finishing – as he impressively showed in the U17 Bundesliga final last season. Borussia Mönchengladbach’s current U19 player is considered one of the most exciting offensive talents of his year. In the U17 he scored 26 goals and 11 assists in 44 games before seamlessly building on these performances in the U19 (6 goals and 4 assists in 15 games) – numbers that underline his goal-scoring ability as a winger. Due to his German-Argentine-Turkish roots, he is eligible to play for several associations, which makes him particularly interesting internationally. Nevertheless, he initially chose Argentina.
Leon Jakirović: The talent inherited from his father
Aniello Luciano, Content Manager Italy at Transfermarkt: “Signing players from Dinamo Zagreb’s youth academy has rarely proven to be a mistake for big European clubs in the past – a promising next candidate would be Leon Jakirović. The left-footed central defender has strong play-building skills and also combines header security, ball winning and tackling skills. The talent was born into the Croatian youngster’s father Sergej Jakirovic, former Bosnian international and current coach of Hull City The 1.91 meter tall left-footed player can also be used as a defensive midfielder or left-back, his future undoubtedly lies with a top club.
Cavan Sullivan: MLS debut at 14 – Before joining Man City
Manuel Veth, Area Manager US & North America at Transfermarkt: “Philadelphia Union’s Cavan Sullivan 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 the history of the MLS in March at 14 years, nine months and 20 days. His talent has been obvious for a long time. Not only the German Football Association – Sullivan is staying with the USA for the time being – has taken notice of him, but also Manchester City. Although both sides rejected the transfer due to his minority “It is expected that he will move to the Sky Blues after his 18th birthday. According to the ‘Philadelphia Inquirer’, the transfer fee is 5 million US dollars (4.6 million euros).”
Abdellah Ouazane: Africa Cup winner from the Ajax school
Aniello Luciano, Content Manager Italy at Transfermarkt: “The Ajax school is known for its talent development and Abdellah Ouazane is one who completed his training at the traditional Dutch club. The Moroccan is technically highly gifted, impresses with his overview of the game, speed, technical elegance and positional flexibility: he can be used both in the attacking midfield and on the left wing. He was already able to achieve exceptional talent status in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, the second Dutch division, at just 16 years old As a playmaker and MVP of the U17 Africa Cup, he made a significant contribution to Morocco’s victory.”
Wisdom Mike: Second youngest debutant in Bayern history
Thomas Deterding, head of service at Transfermarkt.de: “The most valuable DFB youngster player, Wisdom Mike, with a market value of 3 million euros, will have his first professional contract at FC Bayern when he turns 18 – without an exit clause. Mike was able to get his first taste of professional life in the Bundesliga and the Champions League under Bayern coach Vincent Kompany in the current season. He also played for the second representative in the Regionalliga Bayern as well as for Bayern’s youngsters in the UEFA Youth League, among others, there are three in total Scorer from seven competitive games. At exactly 17 years and two days old, the winger was the second youngest Bayern debutant in history when he made his debut in the top flight at the end of September and was in tenth place 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 for João Neves that he will lack worthy successors in the long term. The ‘Lusita’ U17 already has a captain who can fill the role of midfielder in a modern way and at the highest level: Rafael Quintas. His qualities are unmistakable: technical perfection, especially when receiving the ball, constant control of the game, a variety of moves and excellent positional play. He is just 17 years old “He is already an important part of Benfica Lisbon’s U23 team, where he recently demonstrated his good instinct for goals (2 goals in 9 games). He was voted best player at the U17 European Championships.”