10 Teenage Talents to Look Out For in the UEFA Champions League
Last campaign witnessed teenage stars like Desire Doue and Barcelona’s youthful sensation leaving a major impression in the Champions League.
With the new season, what promising players are set to stand out in the current tournament?
World football’s elite club competition is back the current week, with matches on Thursday, and below are ten teenagers poised to show their quality.
Adzic, Vasilije (Juventus)
Age: 19. Position: Central midfielder. Country: Montenegrin.
Vasilije Adzic signed for Juventus in the summer of 2024 after helping his former club securing the domestic championship in his homeland.
Adzic made several games for the Turin club in the previous season, including one European outing, and also played in the Club World Cup showpiece loss to Manchester City.
The youngster has earned caps for his national team and netted on his debut.
Bellingham, Jobe (Dortmund)
Years old: 19. Position: Midfielder. Nationality: English.
The younger Bellingham followed the path of his older brother by moving from English football to Borussia Dortmund after helping his former team gain promotion to the Premier League.
Jobe primarily operates as a defensive engine, though he has been used as a striker on occasion.
The Englishman has represented the Three Lions at youth level and will be back to England for Champions League fixtures facing City and Spurs.
Echeverri, Claudio (Bayer Leverkusen, on loan from Manchester City)
Years old: 19. Role: Attacking midfielder. Nationality: From Argentina.
Claudio Echeverri is scheduled to undertake the season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen after signing for the Premier League champions in a £12.5m deal.
Echeverri made his Premier League first appearance late of last campaign and scored a stunning set-piece in the Club World Cup.
Hato, Jorrel (Chelsea)
Age: 19. Position: Defender. Nationality: From the Netherlands.
The Dutch defender boasts more than 120 first-team games and has won international caps for the Dutch national team.
He earned his first appearance for the Amsterdam club at 16 and led the side in European matches at just 17.
The impressive displays resulted in a big-money transfer to the London club in August.
George Ilenikhena (AS Monaco)
Age: 19. Position: Striker. Country: Dual nationality.
The powerful forward has rapidly progressed through the levels, from the French second division to making a name in the Belgian league and now starring for Monaco.
He has netted against the Spanish giants in the European Cup in each of the past two campaigns.
Mastantuono, Franco (Los Blancos)
Age: 18. Position: Midfielder. Country: From Argentina.
The highly-rated Argentine is viewed as one of the brightest young players in the game.
Mastantuono joined for Real Madrid on his eighteenth birthday after the club activated his buy-out clause.
The teenager has already earned his international bow for Argentina and played in the team’s opening La Liga fixtures.
Mayulu, Senny (PSG)
Years old: 19. Role: Central midfielder. Nationality: From France.
Senny Mayulu has already achieved several honors with PSG, including the European Cup and French trophies.
He scored in the European showpiece win and has represented France at under-20 level.
Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool)
Age: 17. Position: Winger. Nationality: From England.
Rio Ngumoha joined the Merseyside club from Chelsea in 2024 and made his debut at just sixteen.
Ngumoha netted brilliant strikes in friendlies and became Liverpool’s most youthful Premier League scorer with a winner against the Magpies.
Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
Age: 18. Role: Attacking midfielder. Country: English.
The Arsenal academy product made history by becoming the most youthful footballer to feature in the Premier League at fifteen.
He had a standout campaign in 2024-25, netting several times and earning a nomination for the young player award.
He also played a part in the Young Lions claiming the European Under-21 Championship.
Geovany Quenda (Sporting Lisbon)
Years old: 18. Position: Winger. Nationality: Portuguese.
Geovany Quenda will be to move to the Premier League side next summer after excelling for Sporting.
Quenda played in helping Sporting to a league and cup triumph and shone at the European Under-21 Championship, netting three times.
Watch highlights of all European match on matchweek, available via major sports websites and apps.
There will also be a dedicated European round-up broadcast on Wednesday evening.