Every May, the UEFA Under-17 European Championship gives us armchair managers across the globe an unique chance to watch and get acquianted to the next generation of wonderkids. The UEFA Euro U17 finals has been the venue where promising talents earns worldwide recognition. For some young players, it’s been their first step onto becoming professional footballers and being poached by major football clubs due to their immense performances at the UEFA Under-17 Euro tournament.
Over the years, it’s become a tradition that we take a closer look at the best talents at the UEFA Under-17 European Championship, and this year is no different!
In 2023 both Lamine Yamal and Ethan Nwaneri participated in the youth tournament, whilst in 2022 Dean Huijsen was quite an unknown name when he represented the Dutch Under-17 national team in the U17 EURO’s and guided his side to finish as runners-up. Head back 20 years and we got to know Nuri Sahin. A year later Toni Kroos – stating the importance of the tournament in the development of the next world class stars.
Now, it’s a new crop of young talents emerging. With Football Manager 26 set to arrive in November 2025, that means new wonderkids and talents to discover.
That’s where we come in!
Today we give you the top 10 young players to watch in 2025 UEFA Under-17 European Championship held in Albania – meaning you can get a head start to discover some of the best young talents in FM26 months before the game comes out!
Who are the best young talents at the 2025 U17 Euro? Who can get their break through, or who are the biggest stars you need to watch at this year’s tournament?
Let us take a closer look at the best players in the 2025 UEFA Under-17 EURO finals.
About the 2025 UEFA Under-17 European Championship
The UEFA European Under-17 Championship will be held from 19th of May to June 1st, 2025 in Albania. Only players born on or after January 1st 2008 is eligible to play – meaning we will experience some of the best wonderkids at the age of 16 face each other to battle for the recognition as the best European U17 National team in 2025.
2025 U17 EURO finals groups
The 22nd edition of this U17 youth tournament will see 8 teams participate in the finals. Here Albania (automatically qualified as the host) will welcome England, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Czechia.
That means the most successful team in the tournament to date, Spain has not managed to qualify to the finals. Last year they were knocked out in the group stage.
This year Italy will enter the EURO U17 finals as defending champions after Francesco Camarda was a contributing member to the Nation’s second title.
Germany is also back in the tournament after winning their second title in 2023. They will face Albania, France and Portugal in group A – resulting in a fierce battle between three top teams to qualify to the semi finals.
That means Italy and England might have an easier route in group B by coming up against Belgium and Czechia.
Group A: Albania (hosts), France, Germany, Portugal
Group B: Italy (holders), Belgium, England, Czechia
One of the biggest questions before the 2025 U17 EURO finals is who will becomd the topscorer of the tournament or take homethe award as best player in the tournament. Last year, Portuguese wonderkid Rodrigo Mora scored 5 goals whilst Francesco Camarda was awarded best player of the tournament after scoring 4 goals in the 2024 UEFA EURO Under-17 finals.
Now the scene is set for a dramatic battle as the winner of the 2025 U17 EURO finals shall be decided.
Without further ado, here’s our recommandations of the best wonderkids and future stars at the 2025 UEFA Under-17 European Championship.
Top 10 Wonderkids at 2025 UEFA Under-17 European Championship
TOP 10 Players: 2025 Under-17 EURO
Thomas Campaniello / 17 / Empoli U20
Born in Certaldo on February 29th, 2008, Thomas Campaniello is one of four key players in the Italian U17 squad. Along with goalkeeper, Alessandro Longoni (AC Milan), captain Luca Reggiani, Samuele Inacio (Both Bor. Dortmund) and Destiny Elimoghale (Juventus) is Thomas Campaniello one to watch in their ranks.
Playing as a centre forward in Italy’s 4-3-1-2 system – either alongside Elimoghale or the new revelation Antonio Arena, Empoli’s 17-year-old striker is an interesting prospect.
Nb! Unfortunately, Reggiani will miss out of the tournament with a knee injury.
Thomas Campaniello is a player with the eye for the goal. Not only is he the top scorer within the Italian Under-17 team with his 6 goals in 6 matches from the qualification stage but he is also the player making the second most attempts (21 shots attempted/13 on target) so far.
The 180cm tall centre-forward combines astute tactical intelligence in off the ball movement with ball control and quickness off the mark. The Italian wonderkid of Polish descent, has previously represented both the Italian U15 and U16 squad before making his debut for Italy U18 in October 2024 in two friendlies against Austria.
On 23rd of February 2025, one of Thomas Campaniello’s biggest dreams came to live ehen he debuted for Empoli’s first team in Serie A. With 18 minutes of action against Atalanta, Campaniello became the 8th youngest player for Empoli – debuting three days later than Vincenzo Montella.
Since then has Thomas Campaniello made two more appearances in the Serie A plus making his debut in the Coppa Italia.
The question remains whether Empoli’s new teenage sensation can use his positional sense and finishing to shoot Italy to their second consecutive final. What is clear is Campaniello is one to watch for the U17 Euro’s.
Lennart Karl / 17 / Bayern Munich
The second wonderkid to watch at 2025 U17 EURO is Bayern Munich’s attacking midfielder Lennart Karl. We have previously written a thorough scout report of Lennart Karl and will in this instance keep it rather short.
The German wonderkid is one of those rare generational talents. Combining vision and technique with special gifts in front of the goal, Lennart Karl enters the 2025 UEFA Under-17 EURO final tournament as the top scorer from the qualifying rounds.
With 7 goals in 6 matches from 25 shot attempts where 15 were on target, he is Germany’s talisman, along with Alexander Staff (6 goals in 6 apps). Include his three assists and 25 corners taken and it reveals his importance to any future success of Germany as one of the most creative and lethal players in the competition.
Karl’s potential is sky high and although his Bundesliga debut still awaits, he has recently trained and travelled with the first team after making several impressive performances for Bayern U19. Before Easter he made 4 goals in 5 matches when playing against opponents 2 and 3 years older than him.
The UEFA U17 EURO’s let you finally watch the worldclass potential of Lennart Karl in action. Could he replicate the feat of Toni Kroos from 2007 and take home the Golden Shoe Trophy or become the player of the tournament by making an impact in the right half space with his astonishing close control and playmaking abilities.
Max Dowman / 15 / Arsenal
In the matter of who will become the player of the tournament, Lennart Karl might get some fierce competition from Arsenal’s wonderkid Max Dowman.
Born December 31st 2009, the English attacking midfielder is probably one of the youngest players at the 2025 UEFA Under-17 Euro’s. That doesn’t mean the expectations are lowered.
Described by Mikel Arteta as a «big, big talent» after training with the first team for several months, Dowman’s special skills could soon see him debut in the Premier League in the near future. If it wasn’t for EPL regulations that prevents players under the age of 15 at the start of the season to be registered, I’m sure he would have made his first team debut already.
However, Max Dowman has already written himself into the history books.
In September 2024 he became the youngest goalscorer in the UEFA Youth League. In the U18 Premier League he is one of the greatest performers with 15 goals in 15 matches.
In the upcoming tournament Max Dowman provides another layer to England’s outstanding attacking line. Featuring Luca Williams-Barnett (19 goals in 20 matches in U18 Premier League), Rio Ngumoha, Leeds’ youngest ever player Harry Gray and Manchester City trio Reigan Heskey, Finley Gorman and Ryan McAidoo, England is one of the favourites to win the tournament.
With Max Dowman, England receives a versatile player that could be compared to Bukayo Saka. Left footed with impressive close control, flair and agility he glides around the pitch with the ball seemingly glued to his feet. Likely to cut inside from the right side of the pitch and carry the ball into the final third before making an astonishing through ball, or take a shot, Dowman terrorizes the opponents back line.
Just like Martin Ødegaard he is a highly gifted press-resistant midfielder capable of dictating the tempo by taking his marker for a spin to open up space for his teammates.
Highly intelligent both with and without the ball and playmaking abilities that makes his to de-thrown Martin Ødegaard one day, Arsenal’s Hale End Academy delivers another future Premier League star. The official breakthrough on the world’s biggest scene for the 2008 generation in 2025 could be the start of the next English football legend.
Ilyas Azizi / 17 / Toulouse
After two matches played in the Under-17 Euro, Toulouse flamboyant winger Ilyas Azizi has been one of the standout players in the French squad. Born on April 13th, 2008, the technical gifted Inside Forward, who can operate either as a centre forward or on the left wing, has made some impressive performances of late.
Born in Toulouse of Moroccan descent, Ilyas Azizi is still waiting on his Ligue 1 debut but has trained with the first team for the last couple of months.
Standing out for his wonderful ball control, the creative winger combines flair with goal-scoring abilities. The hot prospect rising through the Toulouse Academy, has a silky touch and a dribbling vocabular that makes any pundits watch in awe!
His ball manipulation skills, agility, feints and movements with the ball makes him a difficult player to come up against. He showed his amazing skills in the first match of the 2025 Under-17 Euro when he recovered the ball around the half way line, carried the ball down the left flank before calmly pretending to move towards the byline before knocking the ball inwards and luring the defender to dive. Then, he drifted inside towards the centre and confidently placed the ball in the far corner of the goal mouth. The goal has gone viral and you can watch a highlight on UEFA Men’s youth account on X.com.
This goal is a perfect example of his abilities.
Wonderful in 1vs1 situations and not afraid to enter crowded areas, his silky touches, flair and understanding of space makes him into a highly interesting talent for the future. Apart from his finishing technique and goalscoring abilities from mid and long range, Azizi could be classed as a creative winger. Often carrying the ball to create space for his teammates, he has great vision and football IQ to make through balls and key passes when required.
The forward enjoys challenging the defenders and brings a confidence in tight spaces that any attacking team needs. His quick footwork, acceleration and pace alongside technically strong reveals a top talent with huge potential!
Don’t forget that although his strongest foot is right, his left foot is not a weakness. Capable of escaping pressure with a huge variety of dribbling skills and ball manipulation, even in tight spaces, draws similarities to Jeremy Doku or a young Eden Hazard.
Wisdom Mike / 16 / Bayern Münich
Meanwhile France have Ilyas Azizi, Germany is fortunate to have match winner Wisdom Mike. Born on September 28th 2008, the two-footed flamboyant winger is a potential future star!
The German winger of Nigerian descent came to Bayern Munich from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer of 2022. He has always been described as a huge talent so it’s quite a surprise he hasn’t made more appearances for Germany U17 than he has.
However, against Albania in the 2025 Under-17 Euro he showed his class by scoring a wonderful goal in the 65th minute. Able to be used on either flank, Wisdom Mike features many of the same skills as Rio Ngumoha or Ryan McAidoo.
Capable of drifting inside onto his strongest foot, Wisdom Mike’s dribbling skills, close control and technical abilities to curl the ball in the opposite corner of the net impresses. Although he has only scored one goal for Germany U15, U16 or U17, he has scored 21 goals in 22 appearances for both the U17 and the U19 Bayern Munich team.
With electric pace to beat his marker either with or without the ball, Wisdom Mike is a sensational player with huge potential.
Due to his attacking skills he can operate either as a left winger, right winger or as a centre-forward.
Bagged with flair, low centre of gravity and wonderful technique, Wisdom Mike draws comparison to Jeremy Doku or Savio. Similar to Azizi he loves to challenge the defender and thrives in tight spaces where he can manipulate the ball, use his agility, flair and quickness to escape pressure, Bayern Munich has two potential world class players in their ranks! The future is definitely secured!
Alejandro Rodriguez / 17 / Lyon
After two goals against Italy U17 and one goal in the opening match against Belgium U17, Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez has really showed what he’s made of! The 17-year-old centre forward is born in Caracas, Venezuela but has relatives with Portuguese and English passport.
In 2022, the promising striker went into the Southampton academy as one of their most gifted players and quickly went the grades from U16 to U18 levels. In 2023/24 season he progressed remarkably well – ending the season by being promoted from U17 to U21 – making 9 assists and 2 goals over 21 appearances.
This alerted the attention of Olympique Lyonnais who snapped him up despite Southampton offered a great deal to keep him at the club. Due to Rodriguez ambitions as a pure goalscorer, he left England for France which would eventually earn him a Ligue 1 debut on the 4th of May 2025 against Will Still’s Lens.
The current Lyon B forward made a significant impact as the one leading the line for England U17. Along with a great eye for the goal, excellent finishing technique and calmness with the ball, the centre forward is gifted with acceleration and pace to beat his marker in one on one duels. At the same time, once on the ball he has a great vision to find his teammates with progressive or supporting passes and brings a certain flair to the Advanced Forward role.
His ability to provide depth and create space for his teammates by staying on the shoulder of the defender gives the inverted wingers, such as Rio Ngumoha the place to cut inside. As briefly mentioned, with three goals so far in the Under-17 Euro, Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez could be a candidate for the topscorer title, perhaps along with Samuele Inacio. It all depends on how far England reach.
So far, Alejandro Rodriguez has scored 20 goals in 33 appearances in 2024/25 season for Lyon and England’s U17 and U18 teams combined. His movements and ability to hold up the ball, or carry it into dangerous positions could see the young striker develop into the next Robert Lewandowski, although that’s a lot of pressure to put on the teenagers young shoulders.
Anyway, England should feel fortunate that Alejandro Rodriguez decided to play for the English national team as he has a promising future.
Nathan de Cat / 16 / Anderlecht
The impact of RSCA Futures in the development of future Belgium internationals can’t be underestimated. For years, Anderlecht have been developing both world-class centre backs, midfielders and quick wingers. Although their 2009 generation fascinates me more, Nathan de Cat is definitely one to watch for the U17 Euro’s.
Born in July 2008, the defensive midfielder has already debuted for the Belgium U19 national team. Providing the defensive balance that enables Gassimou Sylla (Anderlecht’s right winger) and Jessi da Silva (Club Brugge attacking midfielder) to push forward, Nathan de Cat will have a huge task at hand coming up against England in their opening fixture.
Nathan de Cat made his debut for Anderlecht’s first team already back in February 2025 when he came on the pitch against Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League knock out match. In April, he made his professional debut in the Belgium league as he received one minute of action in the Jupiler Pro League Champions’ playoff. Only 12 days ago, May 1st, 2025, Nathan de Cat would finally bag his first goal for Anderlecht’s first team – helping his side to an important 3-1 win over Royal Antwerp.
In that match we could witness his abilities to find pocket of space to make himself available. In the lead up to the goal he shows great anticipation and vision by pointing where the space erupts and where he wants the pass before cleverly moving into the penalty area without pressure.
Gifted with a positional awareness and tactical intelligence which may originate from his youth days playing as a centre back he could be described as the next Zeno Debast – although he was retrained from DM to DC.
Standing at what must be around 185cm, his height and long strides aids his team both in defensive and attacking transitions. Capable of recovering the ball deep in his own half before joining the counter-attack and position himself outside the penalty area for cutbacks, he can use his long shots and eye for the goal to score important goals.
Whether you label him a modern defensive midfielder, Segundo volante or a deep-lying playmaker, Nathan de Cat is a player of great vision. Able to make longer through balls and progressive passes that enables the team to skip the entire build-up, or engage the opponent out of possession, he got everything it takes these days of midfielders.
Good at intercepting passes and win possession by closing the opposing ball carrier quickly, and his off the ball movement and carries with the ball isn’t bad either – meaning he could be used as a central midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 system or as one of three central midfielders if you want a more typical single holding midfielder protecting the area in front of the centre backs.
Watch out for Nathan de Cat’s weighted through balls, smart runs, aggression and work rate, as this Belgium wonderkid is definitely one for the future! … and the future is now!
PS. Belgium have never won the UEFA U17 tournament, and it doesn’t look likely this year will be different with a huge obstacle to beat Italy and England for the two semi-final spots.
Rafael Quintas / 17 / Benfica
There’s something wonderful about the youth development Benfica does! One of many great prospects rising through at Benfica these days is Rafael Quintas.
Rafael José Mestre Quintas is a defensive midfielder, who can also operate as a central midfielder in the #6 position. The 17-year-old Benfica wonderkid has 1 goal in 17 appearances for Portugal U17 and is the undisputed captain of the side, wearing the armband for 13 matches.
The current Benfica Under-19 midfielder is a composed playmaker standing out for his positioning, vision, passing and technique. His decision-making, anticipation and teamwork are all valuable skills for the DM position but what impresses me with Rafael Quintas is his ability to be at the right place at the right time – always making himself available for a pass as well as intercepting dangerous moves from the opposition team.
Along with being a midfield maestro in the build-up he is defensively strong – knowing when to track down and defend zones, time his tackles or make crucial interceptions.
In fact, there are parts of his play that reminds us of Rodri. Capable of dictating the tempo when the team is in possession, or quickly release the ball forward he finds solutions despite the amount of pressure. While others escape pressure with dribbles and feints, Rafael Quintas uses his great passing range to control the game and is therefore crucial in the deep build-up.
His awareness, vision and decision-making are all worthy skills that might make Rafael Quintas the next João Neves regen to come out of the Benfica academy, despite they do not play in the same position.
Rio Ngumoha / 16 / Liverpool
Another rising baller and future world class star is Liverpool’s phenomenal Rio Ngumoha. The 16-year-old versatile attacker can play both as an attacking midfielder or operate on both flanks. Normally playing on the left wing where he can cut onto his strongest foot, right, the young English wonderkid was deemed as one of the brightest talents in the Chelsea Academy before leaving London for Liverpool in the summer of 2024.
Under Arne Slot at Liverpool, Rio Ngumoha has gone from a highly touted prospect to one of the teenagers in the 2008 generation knocking on the doors to Premier League football.
He started the 2024/25 season for Liverpool U18 – making 3 assists over 9 appearances before being moved up to the U23 team. In Premier League 2 he has scored 2 goals over 623 minutes and even debuted in the FA Cup for Liverpool at the beginning of January 2025. Unfortunately, that made him only the second youngest-ever player to make a professional debut for Liverpool’s first team.
Rio Ngumoha is a fantastic player to watch in the tournament. With flair, agility, dribbles and a close control that makes any pundits applaud. Capable of unlocking even the tightest defensive blocks, he makes jaw dropping dribbles despite being put under intense pressure. Using his quickness and quick change of direction to create space for himself, Rio Ngumoha follows a long list of Liverpool graduates with that special on the ball abilities.
Although it would be wrong to Rio Ngumoha to compare him to Kaide Gorden or Harvey Elliott, his acceleration and technique might be everything the English fans desire when the question arises who to play on the left wing at the World Cup 2030 and beyond. By that time, let’s hope he has managed to close in on his tremendous potential.
However, still only 16 years old and lots of development needed to reach that level of football especially in terms of his decision-making, smartness of when to dribble or not, or improve his physicality to near Salah’s strength and stamina, Rio Ngumoha is one of the potential stars at the 2025 UEFA U17 Euro’s.
As this video highlights, his creativity and flair is not far away from Ronaldinho, Neymar or any of those Brazilian legends with that ‘futsal’-like skills. In April 2025, the explosive winger braced two wonderful goals after tearing the Aston Villa apart with his
Capable of making jaw-dropping moments so fast that we have to rewind and watch it repeatedly, Liverpool’s next wonderkid should make any defenders afraid!
David Boly / 15 / Paris SG
We continue our best players to watch in the 2025 UEFA Under-17 European Championship by focusing our attention to one of the most exciting attacking wingbacks of the 2008 generation – Paris Saint-Germain’s David Boly.
Born in January 2009 he is a truly fascinating athlete and is amongst the youngest players in the tournament along with Christ Batola and Max Dowman.
The right wingback has the perfect profile to play in a 4-3-3 formation.
Able to time his forward runs brilliantly and quick over the first few metres, David Boly uses his acceleration and pace to get forward whenever possible and overlap his winger. In fact, he has everything you desire in the complete wingback role.
While we are often quick to highlight technical gifted wingers and attacking midfielders with flair, David Boly is of similar mould.
With great ball control, elegant in his crosses and passes, confident in 1vs1 duels by being able to use his dribbling and agility to get past his marker, and is able to carry the ball over longer distances by turning up his pace, he is truly an attacking wide player any top teams would desire.
Capable to use his quickness to offer both underlaps or underlaps according to what’s required, he creates overloads downt he flank – drawing similarities to Milos Kerkez.
Out of possession, he is not afraid to put in tackles or go into physical duels and uses his aggression to initiate a press onto the opposing winger. His physic and athleticism makes him look at least 3 years older than what he is. This is also one of the reasons he has managed to put in great performances in the French National U19 league – where he has made 19 appearances throughout 2024/25 season as well as debuting in the UEFA Youth League (4 apps) and Coupe Gambardella.
Watch out for Paris SG’s wonderkid David Boly. Perhaps in 5 years time, he’ll be in the same situation as Milos Kerkez finds himself in now – wanted by Real Madrid and all the other biggest clubs.
Destiny Elimoghale / 17 / Juventus
Destiny Elimoghale is another fantastic gem in the 2025 U17 Euro. Born in April 2009 of Nigerian descent, the winger is amongst the greatest talent within the Juventus ranks at the moment, at least in my opinion.
Often cutting inside from the left flank, onto his strongest foot, right, uses his astonishing quickness and acceleration over the first few metres to cause chaos in the opposing defensive block.
With a great physic and body frame, he’s a difficult player to come up against. Able to use his strength and balance to hold up the ball, or take advantage of this as he carries the ball into more dangerous positions in the final third, the inverted winger can make any defender look bad.
His elegance with the ball, how he uses his close control when turning or moving, how he glides around the pitch by using his flair and dribblign technique to find space makes him a truly interesting Football Manager wonderkid in the future.
It might be easy to compare the player to Samuel Iling-Junior who was also part of the Juventus Academy at the same age but Destiny Elimoghale’s might become a player of a higher scale.
His flair and unpredictability to get out of the most tightest space makes his a lovely player to watch. The way he can get behind when up against two markers to advance into goalscoring opportunities makes him a player who can not only create space for others but also for himself.
Although young and lots of development to do, the young winger has made some truly brilliant performances this season. In the Italian Under-17 A league, he has made 4 assists and 5 goals over 9 appearances. For the U17 National team, his records are 2 goals in 3 appearances. Great, considering he plays against opponents at least one year older.
Unlike a more traditional winger, Destiny Elimoghale possessess a great finishing technique. Whether that being placing the ball into the back of the net from tight angles, or score from penalties. As I see it, he can be used in any role within the left half space and could potentially become a lethal attacking midfielder, for instance in a 4-2-3-1 AM narrow.
As this video reveals, he has scored some wonderful goals over his young career – often showcasing his incredible flair that catches the opponent’s off guard. The goal scored from a bicycle kick is truly outstanding!
Destiny Elimoghale is the next special talent from Italy. Are the world ready for his phenomenal feints? Watch out for this gifted Italian wonderkid!
Samuele Inacio / 17 / Borussia Dortmund
While Destiny Elimoghale is surely a diamond in the rough, Borussia Dortmund’s wonderkid Samuele Inacio has made an impressive display in the first two matches for Italy U17 at the 2025 Under-17 Euro.
The former Atalanta attacker was signed by Borussia Dortmund ahead of the 2024/25 season and is along with Luca Reggiani and Mathis Albert one of the most promising talents in the Under-19 squad.
Labelled as a shadow striker, Samuele Inacio is a highly versatile forward. Italy’s #9 combines great ball control, quickness and flair with excellent finishing technique and off the ball movement. A player who dares to shoot from all ranges and got the finishing technique to score goals whether it’s from powerful long shots or penalties, the Italian wonderkid is a future gem that Dortmund should feel lucky to have in their ranks.
The versatile attacker has 6 goals in 11 matches for Italy U17 but has not made a huge remark for Bor. Dortmund U19 if we simply look at goals. However, in addition to the three goals he has made, he has produced 9 assists in 33 appearances.
Over the last season he has been used as central midfielder, attacking midfielder, on the left and right wing as well as a centre forward – showcasing his incredible creativity and football understanding to feature in multiple positions.
With the ball, Inacio really reveals his Brazilian heritage as his footwork, close control and ball manipulation is great for his age. In the #10 position he is both creative and lethal with some fierce long shots, altough he has a tendency to shoot at every opportunity. His determination to score goals and hunger to succeed is not something we should restrict. Personally, I fancy the way he makes those runs into the penalty area or how he finds pocket of spaces between the lines and could either create through balls, make dribbles to open up space or try to place the ball out of reach of the goalkeeper.
All in all, Samuele Inacio is a skillful player that I’m sure we have not heard the last of. The way he stamp his marks on the game might earn him the recognition as the next Roberto Baggio or Gianfranco Zola. Along with Samuele Luongo and Thomas Campaniasso, Italy have a true goalscorer in their ranks. One who might use the 2025 Under-17 Euro to earn a call up to Dortmund’s first team and thereafter get his Bundesliga debut before turning 18.
Duarte Cunha (17) Porto & Gil Neves (17) Benfica
The Portugal U17 squad for U17 Euro features players from mostly Benfica and Porto. With Francisco Fernandes, Chelmik, Mauro Furtado, Gil Neves and current top scorer Ànisio Cabral, the Portuguese squad got several players who can stand out in the tournament. However, some of those that has caught my attention is Duarte Cunha at Porto and Gil Neves (Benfica).
Duarte Cunha is born in January 2025, the centre forward has made an impressive season for Porto’s U17 team. 20 assists and 15 goals scored over 31 appearances reveals his importance to the team.
Great finishing and vision resulting in lots of goals and assists has been the trend throughout Duarte Cunha’s youth career.
Duarte Cunha is normally used as on the right flank in the Portuguese team but can also operate as attacking midfielder or second striker.
The right inside forward signed a professional contract with Porto in December 2024 – showcasing how much they value him. At the same time, the Portuguese U17 manager favoured to call-up Duarte Cunha ahead of Brandão Baptista for this important tournament describing the amount of trust on his shoulders.
However, for Portugal U17 his performances aren’t that special. 1 goal in 16 appearances and rarely playing more than 70 minutes it’s fierce competition within the team.
The second Portuguese talent to watch is Gil Neves. The Benfica midfielder is used either as a CM-A or MEZ in a 4-3-3 system or plays between the lines as an attacking midfielder. He can also be used as a second forward and brings creativity and vision to the side.
Born in February 2008, the creative midfielder entered Benfica from a youth team in Luxembourg in 2024 and is quite an unknown name.
However, in the last match ahead of the U17 Euro’s Gil Neves scored a remarkable hat-trick against Sporting U17.
It showcased his wonderful abilities to carry the ball into the final third before cutting slightly inwards and placing the ball in the opposite corner of the goal with a nice curve on the ball from his left foot – much like how Lamine Yamal or Jamal Musiala scores their goals. You can watch one of his wonderful goals in this match highlight from B10 on X.com – a user that follows Portuguese youth football.
The 189cm tall midfielder has something special with himself. Decent ball control, highly direct and with great movements with the ball, Gil Neves continues the tradition at Benfica to develop technical midfielders who excels in 1on1 situations.
He describes himself as a player who likes to work hard for the team and create assists rather than score goals.
Both these players have agility, flair and wonderful off the ball movement – something that may help their side to clinch their seventh trophy – closing in the current gap of three trophies behind Spain.
A valid question in terms of Duarte Cunha’s abilities is whether he can stamp his mark or whether he will become another Ze Gomes – the 2016 UEFA Euro topscorer with 7 goals and scored 19 goals over 28 appearances before his professional career diminished. Now, Ze Gomes plays for Elbasani in Albania after only making three appearances for Benfica. What a huge decline of one we all believed would go onto becoming a top player in Europe.
Other Incredible Under-17 Talents Not Called-Up for U17 EURO.
Ibrahim Mbaye / 17 / Paris SG
After an ankle sprain kept Ibrahim Mbaye out of action from January to March, the rapid winger is back in the first team squad of Paris Saint-Germain. Receiving 90 minutes over the last two matches it took his Ligue 1 records to 1 assist and 1 goal over 9 appearances.
He received his Ligue 1 debut on August 16th, 2024, and thereby became the second youngest-ever debutant for PSG and the youngest debutant in the 2024/25 season. However, this achievement was topped by fellow French U17 national team member Djylian N’Guessan when the centre-forward made his debut for Saint-Etienne on January 4th, 2025. N’Guessan is also the French team’s current topscorer.
Ibrahim Mbaye is capable of operating on both flanks whether as a right winger who provides crosses into the box, or as an Inverted winger who cuts inside from the left flank.
Often relying on his acceleration and pace to threat the open spaces behind the defensive line and use his quickness to beat his opponents in 1vs1 situations and can make those important progressive carries.
The winger often combines close control, work rate and off the ball movement with vision and crossing. His first Ligue 1 assist came from a low pass from the flank towards Goncalo Ramos in PSG’s 4-1 thrashing of Montpellier in the 33rd game week.
What’s evident is his abilities in tight spaces and dribbling technique. Although primarily a winger, he manages to pick up spaces between the lines and is great at coming into goalscoring opportunities from combination play. His style of play could be compared to Bradley Barcola as he also got a keen eye for the goal and a great finishing technique considering his young age.
In the 2025 U17 EURO’s, Ibrahim Mbaye will be fortunate to have attacking wingback David Boly (16) overlapping him. This duo could potentially cause havoc against slow fullbacks but up against Germany and then Portugal might be a tremendous challenge for France to clinch their fourth U17 championship.
Matteo Palma / 17 / Udinese
Key to any side that wish to lift the trophy starts with a solid defence. A great shot stopper along with composed centre backs who can protect the back with tackles, blocks, interceptions and great positioning. Even though Is yet to see, Germany looks on paper as the one with the most solid back line.
One of their key players in defence is Udinese’s wonderkid Matteo Palma.
Labelled by the Football Talent Scout as one of the most promising U-17 talents in Europe. As the name suggests, the player is of Italian descent and represented the Italian U15 team in 2022 before deciding to represent Germany.
Born in Berlin in March 2008, the central defender was poached from Hertha Berlin in the summer of 2022 and has quickly gone the grades through the Udinese Academy. From U19 matches last year to training with the first team. He received his official debut for Udinese in Coppa Italia. This made him the 6th youngest to debut for the first team – only four months older than Simone Pafundi.
Standing at 194cm , Matteo Palma is a dominant player in aerial situations both in terms of his height but also because of his strength. Described as the next Giorgio Scalvini, his positioning, anticipation and overall tactical intelligence makes him into a defender any side would want!
Able to put in strong tackles and not afraid to close down the ball carrier to intercept moves, he is a reliable modern defender.
His elegance with the ball at his feet, passing abilities and technique has often made him vacant the right back role but is better used as a wide-centre back in a back three defence. He likes to bring the ball out of defence and is confident in the build-up play by positioning himself appropriately to create necessary angles to retain possession. He is not afraid to initiate counter-attacking moves with some perfectly weighted through balls – something that makes him into one of the most intriguing players to watch for the future!
Could he become the next Antonio Silva – the one potential Football Manager 2026 wonderkid centre back anyone desires?
There you go, 10 players to watch for the 2025 UEFA Under-17 Euro finals in Albania. What’s certain is that there will always be some surprises and new talents are making their official breakthrough on the international scene. Who had heard of Miguel Veloso or Steven Bergwijn at the age of 16? Or, who had believed Adil Aouchiche would score 9 goals in the 2019 U17 Euro?
We’ll be following the actions within the 2025 UEFA Under-17 European Championship and keep you posted for any more future stars within the tournament. Stay tuned for future updates!
Let us know in the comments which future stars you’ll be closely monitoring at the 2025 Under-17 Euro.
