Lamine Yamal has emerged as arguably the top attacking player in world soccer, regardless of age, making him an easy choice for ESPN\'s list of the best 39 players under the age of 21. The 17-year-old Barcelona forward played a pivotal role in Spain\'s 2024 European Championship triumph and has since been instrumental in Barcelona\'s title challenge and Champions League campaign.
From his right-wing position, Yamal\'s offensive statistics are remarkable. He completes 4.6 successful dribbles per 90 minutes while registering 1.3 shots on target from distance. His playmaking is equally impressive, with 0.5 assists per 90 minutes for a total of 17 this season. Yamal averages more than eight touches in the attacking box per match, making him a constant threat to opposing defenses.
While his attacking prowess is undeniable, Yamal could improve his defensive contributions through better interceptions, tracking back, and more intense pressing.
Florian Wirtz, the 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen playmaker, holds the second position in these rankings. With 15 goals and 13 assists in 39 appearances before an ankle ligament injury, Wirtz has maintained the exceptional form that helped Leverkusen to their undefeated title-winning campaign in 2023-24. His contract runs until 2027, attracting interest from elite clubs including Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
Operating as a classic number 10 with freedom to roam, Wirtz creates an extraordinary 6.5 chances per 90 minutes. His technical excellence allows him to find space in dangerous areas, control the ball efficiently, and distribute it with precision. Wirtz processes the game faster than opponents thanks to his football intelligence, positional awareness, and technical ability, complemented by strong finishing skills.
Jude Bellingham rounds out the top three, dropping from his previous top ranking amid debate over whether he or Wirtz deserved the second spot. Despite this slight decline, the 21-year-old remains one of the world\'s most influential young talents, combining technical skill, tactical understanding, strong mentality, and ideal physical attributes for an attacking midfielder.
The England international has recorded 11 goals and 11 assists this season for Real Madrid, an impressive return considering he has had to adapt to Kylian Mbappe\'s arrival and subsequent tactical adjustments. Though deployed in various midfield positions, Bellingham\'s movement off the ball continues to create opportunities for teammates, while his competitive spirit remains exemplary.
ESPN\'s Best U21 Rankings
- Lamine Yamal, FW, Barcelona / Spain, 17, €180m
- Florian Wirtz, AM, Bayer Leverkusen / Germany, 21, €140m
- Jude Bellingham, CM / AM, Real Madrid / England, 21, €180m
- Pau Cubarsí, CB, Barcelona / Spain, 18, €70m
- João Neves, CM, Paris Saint-Germain / Portugal, 20, €65m
- Warren Zaïre-Emery, CM / DM, Paris Saint-Germain / France, 19, €60m
- Xavi Simons, AM, RB Leipzig / Netherlands, 21, €80m
- Gavi, CM, Barcelona / Spain, 20, €70m
- Aleksandar Pavlovic, DM / CM, Bayern Munich / Germany, 20, €50m
- Savinho, FW, Manchester City / Brazil, 20, €55m
- Benjamin Sesko, ST, RB Leipzig / Slovenia, 21, €50m
- Marc Casadó, DM / CM, Barcelona / Spain, 21, €30m
- Jhon Durán, ST, Al Nassr / Colombia, 21, €40m
- Pablo Barrios, DM / CM, Atletico Madrid / Spain, 21, €50m
- Kobbie Mainoo, CM, Manchester United / England, 19, €55m
- Fermín López, CM, Barcelona / Spain, 21, €50m
- Alejandro Balde, LB, Barcelona / Spain, 21, €60m
- Arda Güler, AM, Real Madrid / Turkey, 20, €45m
- Estêvão, FW, Palmeiras / Brazil, 17, €50m
- Kenan Yildiz, AM, Juventus / Turkey, 19, €45m
- Milos Kerkez, LB, Bournemouth/Hungary, 20, €35m
- Carlos Baleba, DM, Brighton/Cameroon, 21, €35m
- Leny Yoro, CB, Manchester United/France, 19, €55m
- Jorrel Hato, CB/LB, Ajax/Netherlands, 18, €30m
- Desiré Doué, FW/AM, Paris Saint-Germain/France, 19, €60m
- Ousmane Diomandé, CB, Sporting CP/Ivory Coast, 21, €40m
- Alejandro Garnacho, FW/AM, Manchester United/Argentina, 21, €45m
- Dean Huijsen, CB, Bournemouth/Spain, 19, €42m
- Rico Lewis, RB/CM, Manchester City/England, 20, €40m
- Myles Lewis-Skelly, LB/CM, Arsenal/England, 18, €28m
- António Silva, CB, Benfica/Portugal, 21, €38m
- Jamie Gittens, FW, Borussia Dortmund/England, 20, €50m
- Ethan Nwaneri, CM/AM, Arsenal/England, 17, €55m
- Geovany Quenda, FW/RB, Sporting CP/Portugal, 17, €30m
- Malo Gusto, RB, Chelsea/France, 21, €35m
- Archie Gray, CM/CB, Tottenham/England, 18, €35m
- Endrick, ST, Real Madrid/Brazil, 18, €40m
- Nico Paz, AM, Como/Argentina, 20, €20m
- Yankuba Minteh, FW, Brighton/Gambia, 20, €30m