GOAL selected the 50 best footballing talents from around the world born on or after January 1, 2005 – but are they living up to their potential?
Since NXGN's launch in 2016, GOAL has profiled the 50 best footballing wonderkids on the planet on an annual basis. Some of those recognised for their talent as teenagers are now household names, but others have not yet realised their potential.
So, after the NXGN 2025 list was revealed, check out where the stars of 2024 are now:
Every NXGN list
Dembele, Tielemans & 2016's best wonderkids
Mbappe, Donnarumma & 2017's best wonderkids
De Ligt, Kluivert & 2018's best wonderkids
Haaland, Sancho & 2019's best wonderkids
Saka, Rodrygo & 2020's best wonderkids
James, Oberdorf & 2020's best women's wonderkids
Pedri, Ansu Fati & 2021's best wonderkids
Le Tissier, Bennison & 2021's best women's wonderkids
Bellingham, Musiala & 2022's best wonderkids
Dumornay, Fowler & 2022's best women's wonderkids
Gavi, Garnacho & 2023's best wonderkids
Shaw, Thompson & 2023's best women's wonderkids
Caicedo, Moultrie & 2024's best women's wonderkids
Getty Images Sport50Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland)
2024: The young brother of Real Madrid star Jude, Bellingham was enjoying an eye-catching first season at Sunderland in the Championship having departed boyhood club Birmingham City the previous summer.
2025: Having been moved back into midfield after playing much of last season as a forward, Bellingham has taken his game to new levels in 2024-25 as the Black Cats chase promotion to the Premier League. Top clubs in England and around Europe continue to keep tabs on his progress.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport49Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United)
2024: Having emerged as the top talent within Australia's A-League thanks to his powerful attacking play and rocket-launcher of a left foot, Irankunda had already agreed a record-breaking transfer to Bayern Munich and earned a first international call-up from the Socceroos.
2025: Irankunda spent his first six months in Germany playing for Bayern's reserve side in the third tier before completing a loan move to FC Zurich in January as he looks to gain experience of top-flight European football.
Getty Images Sport48Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami)
2024: Cremaschi had emerged as one of the best young players in MLS after striking up a strong on-field relationship with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, with his form having earned him a first call-up to the senior United States squad.
2025: The midfielder was a rotational member of the Miami squad in 2024 as they won the MLS Supporters Shield but is expected to take on an even bigger role under new coach Javier Mascherano.
Getty Images47Sverre Nypan (Rosenborg)
2024: Having been dubbed 'the next Martin Odegaard' within Norway, Nypan was already a regular in the Rosenborg line-up, and was just beginning a campaign that would end with him providing 15 combined league goals and assists from midfield in just 28 appearances.
2025: Arsenal and Manchester City were among the clubs who attempted to sign Nypan during the January transfer window but he has instead opted to stay with Rosenborg until the summer before considering his next move.
