National football player Arda Güler, who plays for Spain’s Real Madrid team, and national player Kenan Yıldız, who plays for Italy’s Juventus team, were nominated by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) in various categories in the 2025 awards.
This year, Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız were nominated in the “World’s Best Young Actor” category at the awards traditionally organized by IFFHS since 1987. Arda Güler was also included in the candidate list for the “World’s Best Playmaker” category.
The international IFFHS jury, composed of sports journalists and football experts from 120 countries in different continents of the world, will announce the award winners after December 10, 2025.
It was stated that the jury members will make their evaluations about the candidates on a yearly basis (January-December period).
2025 IFFHS World’s Best Young Player award nominees
Arda Güler – Türkiye – Real Madrid
Kenan Yıldız – Türkiye – Juventus
Ayyoub Bouaddi – France – Lille
Dean Huijsen – Netherlands – Bournemouth / Real Madrid
Desire Doue – France – Paris Saint-Germain
Ethan Nwaneri – England – Arsenal
Geovany Quenda – Portugal – Sporting
Laminated Yamal – Spain – Barcelona
Leny Yoro – France – Manchester United
Myles Lewis-Skelly – England – Arsenal
Pau Cubarsi – Spain – Barcelona
Rodrigo Mora – Portugal – Porto
Warren Zaire-Emery – France – Paris Saint-Germain
Estevao – Brazil – Chelsea
Franco Mastantuono – Argentina – River Plate / Real Madrid
Rayan – Brazil – Vasco de Gama
Vitor Roque – Brazil – Real Betis & Palmeiras
Obed Vargas – Mexico – Seattle Sounders
Nestory Irankunda – Australia – Grasshopper / Watford
Eliesse Ben Seghir – Morocco – Monaco / Bayer Leverkusen
2025 IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker award nominees
Arda Güler – Türkiye – Real Madrid
Bruno Fernandes – Portugal – Manchester United
Cole Palmer – England – Chelsea
Florian Wirtz – Germany – Bayer Leverkusen / Liverpool
Jude Bellingham – England – Real Madrid
Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium – Manchester City / Napoli
Laminated Yamal – Spain – Barcelona
Martin Odegaard – Norway – Arsenal
Pedri – Spain – Barcelona
Vitinha – Portugal – Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel Messi – Argentina – Inter Miami
James Rodrguez – Colombia – Leon
Reo Hatate – Japan – Celtic
Mohammed Kudus – Ghana – West Ham / Tottenham
Malik Tillman – USA – PSV / Bayer Leverkusen