Some of the rising stars in football include Lamine Yamal, Endrick, Estevão, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Vicky López, and Linda Caicedo. They stand out for their technical ability, decision-making, and impact at senior or international level.
There is no single official list: “rising star” can describe a teenager breaking into a first team or a young player taking on a bigger role. This guide highlights promising men’s and women’s players, explains what makes each worth watching, and offers a practical way to judge progress. Because players’ clubs, roles, and form can change quickly, focus on the qualities and opportunities behind their reputation—not just the latest headline.
who are the rising stars in football?
There is no definitive ranking, but several young players have already shown the tools to shape senior football. Names to watch include Spanish winger Lamine Yamal, Brazilian forwards Endrick and Estevão, French midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery, Spanish defender Pau Cubarsí, and English midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. In the women’s game, Colombia’s Linda Caicedo, Spain’s Vicky López, and England’s Michelle Agyemang are among the young players drawing attention.
That list is a starting point, not a promise of future success. A player can be talented and still need time, the right role, or consistent minutes to develop. The most useful question is not only “Who is famous?” but also “What is this player doing well, and what evidence suggests they can keep improving?”
Here, football means association football, played with a round ball under soccer rules. The examples cover men’s and women’s football, and include different positions so you can compare more than attackers and goal scorers.
Young players to keep an eye on
| Player | Country | Position or role | What makes them notable | Best reason to watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamine Yamal | Spain | Wide forward | Dribbling, close control, and creative decisions in tight spaces | Watch how he creates chances from the wing |
| Endrick | Brazil | Forward | Direct movement, strength, and a willingness to attack the goal | Watch his runs and choices around the box |
| Estevão | Brazil | Winger or attacking midfielder | Quick changes of direction and inventive one-on-one play | Watch how he turns possession into forward momentum |
| Warren Zaïre-Emery | France | Central midfielder | Composure, work rate, and ability to contribute in different phases | Watch his choices under pressure |
| Pau Cubarsí | Spain | Center back | Calm defending and accurate passing from the back | Watch his positioning and first pass |
| Kobbie Mainoo | England | Central midfielder | Close control and ability to carry the ball through midfield | Watch how he escapes pressure and links play |
| Linda Caicedo | Colombia | Forward | Speed, dribbling, and attacking initiative | Watch her ability to threaten from wide areas |
| Vicky López | Spain | Attacking midfielder or forward | Technical skill and movement between lines | Watch how she finds space to receive the ball |
| Michelle Agyemang | England | Forward | Direct attacking play and potential to develop as a finisher | Watch her movement and impact in the final third |
Positions and roles can vary by team, and a young player’s responsibilities may change from match to match. The table identifies useful things to observe, not a guarantee that any player will follow a particular career path.
Men’s players making rapid progress
Lamine Yamal: creativity from the right
Yamal is a left-footed wide attacker who often plays on the right. That position gives him the option to cut inside, combine with teammates, or take on a defender near the touchline. His game is not just about tricks: the important detail is how quickly he chooses what to do after receiving the ball.
When watching him, notice how he uses his first touch to create space. A good first touch can move the ball away from a defender and open a passing lane. Also watch whether he looks for a teammate, carries the ball, or shoots based on the defensive shape rather than repeating the same move.
Endrick: a forward who attacks space
Brazilian forward Endrick plays with an assertive, direct style. He looks to get involved near goal and can use his strength to hold off pressure. For a young striker, movement is as important as finishing: a well-timed run can create a chance before the ball even arrives.
To assess his development, look at the runs he makes when teammates have possession. Does he move across a defender’s blind side? Does he make room for another attacker? Does he choose a sensible option when the shot is blocked? These details show how a forward contributes beyond goals.
Estevão: one-on-one threat
Estevão is an inventive Brazilian attacker known for taking on defenders and changing direction quickly. A dribbler can unsettle a defense by drawing two opponents toward the ball. That can create room for a teammate, even when the dribbler does not complete a successful run.
Keep an eye on when he chooses to attack a defender and when he releases the ball. Good attacking players do not dribble every time. They recognize when a pass or a quick combination will give the team a better chance.
Zaïre-Emery and Mainoo: different ways to control midfield
Zaïre-Emery and Mainoo offer useful examples of how young central midfielders can influence a match without playing the same way. Zaïre-Emery is known for combining energy with composure and can contribute across several parts of midfield. Mainoo is particularly interesting for his close control and ability to move the ball forward while under pressure.
Midfielders often receive the ball with an opponent approaching from behind or from the side. Watch how each player checks their surroundings before the pass arrives. This is called a pre-scan: a quick look around that helps a player know where the pressure and passing options are. It can make the next action faster and safer.
Cubarsí: defending starts before the tackle
Center backs are often judged by tackles, clearances, and blocks, but those actions do not tell the whole story. Cubarsí has drawn attention for composure and passing from defense. A defender who can spot a forward pass may help a team move into attack without giving the opposition time to reset.
Watch his position before an opponent receives the ball. Does he stay close enough to challenge, while leaving room to turn if a runner moves behind him? Does he communicate with nearby defenders? Good positioning can prevent danger before a tackle becomes necessary.
Women’s players worth following
Linda Caicedo: pace and attacking ambition
Colombia’s Linda Caicedo is a dynamic attacker who can threaten opponents with speed and dribbling. She is capable of carrying the ball forward and creating trouble in wide areas. Her directness can force defenders to retreat, which may open space for teammates to arrive in support.
When you watch her, look beyond whether she scores. Notice how she changes pace, where she receives the ball, and whether she can create a useful pass after drawing defenders toward her. Those actions help explain why a forward can influence a game even without a goal or assist.
Vicky López: finding room between the lines
Spain’s Vicky López is a technically skilled young attacker who can play in central or forward roles. A player operating between the lines receives the ball in the space between an opponent’s midfield and defense. Finding that pocket can help a team move forward and force defenders to make difficult choices.
Watch how López moves when a teammate has the ball. Does she drift into a gap, stay available for a short pass, or make a run behind the back line? Smart movement can be just as valuable as a clever touch because it gives teammates a clear option.
Michelle Agyemang: a forward’s growth is more than goals
England’s Michelle Agyemang is a young forward whose development is worth following. For any emerging striker, the jump to senior football involves adapting to faster decisions, stronger defenders, and fewer easy chances. The ability to keep making useful runs and stay involved after a missed opportunity matters.
Assess her movement, pressing, and link-up play alongside her finishing. A forward who can help the team regain possession or connect passes gives a coach more ways to use her. Goals matter, but they are only one part of a forward’s overall contribution.
How to judge whether a player is truly progressing
Highlights can introduce you to a player, but they can also create a misleading picture. A short clip tends to show a spectacular dribble or goal and leaves out quiet defensive work, misplaced passes, and the decisions that came before the action. To get a fairer view, watch a full match or several extended highlights.
- Check the minutes and role. Find out whether the player starts regularly, comes on as a substitute, or is still appearing mostly in youth matches. A few impressive minutes can signal promise, but a larger role provides more chances to judge consistency.
- Look at decisions, not only technique. Ask whether the player chooses a sensible pass, protects the ball when needed, and takes risks in the right areas. Technical skill is most useful when it serves the team’s situation.
- Watch actions away from the ball. Track runs, defensive recovery, positioning, and communication. These are easy to miss if you follow only the player in possession.
- Compare performances in context. A winger may look quiet if their team cannot get the ball forward. A defender may have few tackles because their positioning prevents attacks. Consider the team’s approach before judging the player.
- Look for repeatable strengths. One standout performance is a clue, not proof. Notice whether the player shows the same useful qualities across different opponents and game situations.
A useful extra check is to compare a player’s role in different matches. A coach may ask the same midfielder to press high in one game and protect the defense in another. That change can reveal versatility, but it can also make simple comparisons misleading.
What helps a young footballer become a first-team regular?
Talent can open a door, but opportunity and reliability help keep it open. Coaches need to trust that a young player will understand the team’s plan, respond to difficult moments, and carry out their role even when they are not the main attacking option.
Playing time matters. Young players need meaningful minutes to adjust to the speed and physical demands of senior matches. A carefully managed introduction can be more helpful than immediate pressure to play every game. Training, substitute appearances, and selected starts can all be steps in the process.
Versatility can help. A player who can perform in more than one position may offer a coach useful options. But being moved around too often can also make it harder to build expertise in a main role. The key is whether the player understands each job and gets enough time to develop core strengths.
Consistency is different from spectacular moments. A teenager may produce a brilliant goal and then struggle in the next match. Improvement often looks like making fewer avoidable errors, choosing better positions, and staying effective when an opponent has prepared for their strengths.
Physical development is individual. Players mature at different rates, and a young athlete’s body may still be changing. That is one reason raw size or speed should not be treated as a full measure of potential. Technique, awareness, balance, and decision-making can all help a player compete.
Common mistakes when following young players
- Treating potential as a promise. Early praise does not guarantee a long career at the highest level. Development depends on many factors, including health, coaching, opportunities, and the player’s own progress.
- Ranking everyone by goals. Goals are important for attackers, but they do not show a midfielder’s ability to control space or a defender’s positioning. Judge players by the tasks their position requires.
- Comparing players without considering age or role. Two players may be called “young” but have very different levels of senior experience. A winger and a holding midfielder also face different demands.
- Believing every transfer rumor. Speculation is not the same as a confirmed move. If a club change matters to your assessment, look for an official club announcement or reliable match information.
- Expecting a straight line upward. Form can dip, teams can change coaches, and players can lose minutes. A difficult stretch does not automatically mean a prospect has failed.
One common misconception is that a young player must be an attacking sensation to count as a rising star. A composed goalkeeper, a reliable defender, or a midfielder who improves a team’s shape can be just as valuable. Their contributions may simply be less visible in short clips.
Where to follow emerging football talent
Start with senior league and cup matches, where you can see how a player responds to experienced opponents. International tournaments can offer another useful test, but a small number of matches is not enough to establish a complete picture. Follow the player’s minutes and role over time rather than relying on a single tournament.
Club team announcements and official competition pages can help confirm a player’s current team, match appearances, and position. Match reports can add context, while full-match video gives you the best chance to assess movement and decisions for yourself. Treat social media clips as introductions rather than complete evidence.
You can also keep a simple watchlist with three notes for each player: their main position, a strength to look for, and one area you want to evaluate. For example, you might track whether a young center back stays composed when pressed or whether a winger creates chances after the defense blocks their first move. This makes watching more informative than simply checking who scored.
The rising stars in football are not limited to headline-making forwards. Players such as Yamal, Endrick, Zaïre-Emery, Caicedo, and López offer different strengths, from creative dribbling to midfield control and smart movement.
Choose one or two players from the list and watch a full match, paying attention to their decisions and off-ball work as well as their best moments. That practical habit gives you a clearer view of who is improving and why.