Twelve players who shot to stardom in 2025
From Estevao to Mohamed Amoura and everyone in between – including Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki – FIFA look at some of 2025’s breakout stars.
Many young players burst onto the international scene over the past 12 months
Estevao and Desire Doue are among those who are starred in big tournaments
FIFA looks at 12 players who made a name for themselves in 2025
As is the case every year, football saw the emergence of some huge talents in 2025. If they go on to live up to the lofty standards they have already set, these players could well dominate the global stage over the next decade or so. With tournaments such as the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup™, the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ and the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, we were treated to some incredible football from the world’s brightest starlets in 2025.
FIFA takes a look at 12 players who were arguably relatively unknown last year – but who, just 12 months later, are now household names across the world.
Estevao undoubtedly cemented his place as Brazil’s hottest prospect over the course of 2025. After first coming to the fore at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™, where he registered three goals and three assists in five matches, he further honed his skills at Palmeiras in 2024 before exploding onto the scene in 2025. The 18-year-old stood out at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ before completing a high-profile transfer to Chelsea, where he has settled in quickly despite his tender years. Five goals in his last four starts for Brazil further underlined his status as one of the world’s rising stars.
In an interview with French sports outlet Foot Mercato, Patrick Vieira dubbed Doue “the best young player in Europe”, and the young French forward man, who was relatively unknown outside of his homeland prior to 2025, has indeed emerged as a key figure for both club and country. At the age of just 20, Doue has racked up goal contributions aplenty for Paris Saint-Germain, including a brilliant brace in their 5-0 UEFA Champions League final victory over Inter Milan. He then shone at the Club World Cup, picking up the FIFA Best Young Player Award presented by Panini. He may have been beset by injuries in recent months, but this Rennes academy graduate is now a key member of the France squad, despite having only made his debut for Les Bleus in March.
German striker Woltemade, 23, really stepped up his game in 2025, soaring to new heights after his big-money move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League in August. His EUR 75 million transfer was both a record sale for Stuttgart, and a record purchase for Newcastle. The towering marksman (1.98m; 6’5”) has certainly made his mark in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. The Bremen-born forward has also notched four goals in eight appearances for Germany, and the top scorer at the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship is likely to spearhead the senior side at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Arsenal enjoyed a superb 2025, both at home and in Europe, and 19-year-old Lewis-Skelly has been a key part of their success. The Gunners academy graduate is now a regular at left-back for both club and country, with England coach Thomas Tuchel also won over by his physical strength and technical ability. The youngster from Islington will be looking to make further progress next year in the build-up to the World Cup.
Mora burst on the scene in the Concacaf region in 2025 by making his Mexico senior team debut at 16 and then promptly helped El Tricolor claim the Concacaf Gold Cup. The Club Tijuana midfielder started all three knockout round matches for head coach Javier Aguirre and contributed an assist in the semi-final triumph over Honduras. His exploits at the U-20 World Cup in Chile were just as good, with three goals and three assists, as Mexico reached the quarter-finals. At club level with Xolos, Mora enjoyed a superb Apertura season, with five goals in 14 matches.
Huijsen has established himself at the heart of the defence for both Real Madrid and Spain, despite also being relatively unknown before 2025. After progressing through the ranks at Juventus, Huijsen attracted a lot of attention thanks to a superb 2024-25 season at Bournemouth, which led to a move to the Spanish capital in June, making his debut for Los Blancos at the Club World Cup, as his new side went on to reach the semi-finals. If all goes to plan, he has a very good chance of playing a leading role for Spain at next year’s World Cup.
Maamma is one of the few players on this list who are yet to break into their country’s senior side, but how could we omit this young Moroccan, who tormented his opponents down the right flank at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile to help his nation emerge victorious? Having rightfully been named the tournament’s adidas Golden Ball winner, Maamma moved from Montpellier to English Championship club Watford to continue his development.
England are spoilt for choice down the left at the moment, as O’Reilly has also emerged as a standout performer, much like Lewis-Skelly. The young Mancunian has firmly established himself at left-back for Manchester City, having previously excelled while progressing through the youth ranks. His performances in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League have not gone unnoticed by Thomas Tuchel either, and O’Reilly impressed in his first two appearances for the Three Lions: 2-0 wins against Serbia, at home, and in Albania, in the UEFA qualifiers for World Cup 2026 – a tournament he could well feature in.
Much like Estevao, Mastantuono first caught the eye at the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ in Indonesia in 2023, and, again much like the young Brazilian, he shot to global fame in 2025. Although Mastantuono starred for boyhood club River Plate at the Club World Cup, the Argentinian giants failed to progress beyond the group stage. He then took a huge leap by joining Real Madrid, where Xabi Alonso quickly handed him a regular place in his starting line-up. The skilful left-footed player with a knack for reading the game made his senior Albiceleste debut in June, but his progress has recently stalled due to injury.
During his formative years at Lyon, Cherki was widely regarded as one of the most promising young players in French football. It took him six seasons with Lyon’s first team to start fulfilling that rich potential, before making his real breakthrough in early 2025. Cherki found his rhythm, dominating both Ligue 1 and the UEFA Europa League, which was enough to convince Pep Guardiola to make his move. After debuting for City at the Club World Cup – as well as for France in May, for whom he has now scored one goal in four appearances – Cherki announced his Premier League arrival in style, quickly striking up an excellent understanding with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, capping his remarkable entrance to the global stage.
The youngest player in this article hails from Germany. Since making his Bayern debut in an emphatic 10-0 win over Auckland City at the Club World Cup, the attacking midfielder has become a familiar face in the Bavarians’ line-up. Karl would still have been eligible to play in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November, but the teenager, who will only turn 18 in February, has shown that he is a cut above the rest – as evidenced by his three goals in four UEFA Champions League appearances, coupled with three Bundesliga strikes. His call-up to Die Mannschaft is surely now only a matter of time.
Amoura, 25, is the oldest player among these 11. While he was not entirely unknown prior to this year, his performances in 2025 have propelled him to even greater heights. After making his international debut in 2021, he proved to be instrumental in Algeria’s qualification for the World Cup 2026, scoring ten of their 24 goals – more than any other player in CAF. He will certainly be one to watch in North America next year. In the meantime, he is also putting a smile on Wolfsburg supporters’ faces, having scored six goals in 14 Bundesliga appearances so far this season.