Ranking the 12 best teenagers in football history (2024)

World Cup

Ranking the 12 best teenagers in football history (1)

By Graeme Bell

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Ranking the 12 best teenagers in football history (2)

Key Takeaways

  • Some of the greatest players in football history peaked during their teenage years.
  • Argentina have been blessed with two of the most exciting young talents ever to take to the pitch.
  • Brazilian icon Pele won the first of his unrivalled tally of three World Cup titles when he was only 17.

Over the years, there have been some incredibly gifted teenagers whose performances shocked the football world. To reach the summit of the most popular sport on the planet at your peak is tough enough, but to establish yourself as elite before turning 20 is an honour that only the brightest talents have been able to achieve.

Some teenagers fail to live up to the lofty expectations created by the blistering start they made to their careers. Injuries, poor decisions and the unpredictability of a body that still hasn't finished growing can dim a star that once shined so bright. Others are able to improve, taking the football world by storm and becoming the best players of their generation.

Here's a look at the prodigies who enjoyed and endured both extremes. These talented teens not only won a glut of trophies during the early years of their careers but also boasted a significant impact on their side.

Ranking Factors

  • Impact on the team
  • Honours won as a teenager
  • Expectation
  • Difficulty of league

Best Teenagers in Football History

Rank

Player

Teams

Appearances

Goals

Honours

1.

Pele

Santos, New York Cosmos, Brazil

858

786

27

2.

Kylian Mbappe

Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid, France

462

337

18

3.

Lionel Messi

Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami, Argentina

1,072

840

44

4.

Diego Maradona

Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys, Argentina

582

293

9

5.

Ronaldo

Cruzeiro, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSV, Inter Milan, Corinthians, AC Milan Brazil

559

365

16

6.

Wayne Rooney

Everton, Manchester United, Derby County DC United, England

901

375

13

7.

Jimmy Greaves

Chelsea, AC Milan, Tottenham, West Ham, Chelmsford, Barnet, England

687

460

4

8.

Johan Cruyff

Ajax, Barcelona, Feyenoord, Netherlands

612

357

21

9.

Michael Owen

Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United, Stoke, England

572

263

8

10.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr

1,239

902

27

11.

Duncan Edwards

Manchester United

177

21

2

12.

Lamine Yamal

Barcelona

74

14

2

3:05

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12 Lamine Yamal

Before even turning 17, Lamine Yamal had propelled himself to superstardom. A stunning goal for Spain against France in the semi-final of Euro 2024 was the exclamation point at the end of a breakthrough season for the kid who was still wearing braces. A player his international manager described as "touched by God's magic wand" prompted comparisons with Lionel Messi from former Barcelona boss, Xavi Hernandez. The prodigious teen has repeatedly underscored his world-beating potential at the start of the current campaign.

Yamal doesn't turn 20 until the end of the 2026/27 season. Only an unfortunate injury - which has hampered several talented teenagers on Barcelona's books in recent years - will stop the immensely gifted winger from climbing even higher on this list.

Lamine Yamal's Career Statistics

Team

Barcelona

Apps

74

Goals

14

Honours

European Championship, La Liga

11 Duncan Edwards

The great tragedy of Duncan Edwards is that he barely had time to advance beyond his teenage years. At the tender age of 21, Manchester United's talismanic midfielder was one of 23 lives lost to the Munich air disaster of 1958. The proud Dudley boy packed plenty into his tragically short life.

Boasting a fully-grown adult's physique even as a teen, earning him a range of nicknames including 'the Baby Giant', Edwards was already 6'0 (183cm) and weighed 12-and-a-half stone (79kg) when he made his debut for Manchester United as a 16-year-old. An England international from the age of 18, Edwards boasted speed alongside his immense strength. The legendary winger Sir Stanley Matthews once gushed: "I can't remember any other player that size who was quick like that." England manager Walter Winterbottom captured the mythic status of the prodigy when he described him as "the spirit of British football".

Duncan Edwards' Career Statistics

Team

Manchester United

Apps

177

Goals

21

Honours

First Division (2)

10 Cristiano Ronaldo

Ranking the 12 best teenagers in football history (5)

Arguably the strongest element of Cristiano Ronaldo's argument for being the greatest player of all time is his longevity. The obsessive workaholic scored more international goals after turning 30 than Brazilian icon Pele did during his entire career (77). But that's not to say that Ronaldo was ineffective in his younger days.

The Portuguese icon was 18 when Sir Alex Ferguson plucked him out of Sporting CP's first team and handed him Manchester United's prestigious number seven shirt which David Beckham had vacated. Initially reluctant to take on the burden, Ronaldo emphatically lived up to the digit's legendary reputation, enjoying a quietly successful debut campaign in England that was marked by his match-winning performance in a triumphant FA Cup final. After the stellar Wembley display, Ferguson predicted that Ronaldo could be "better than anything in Europe". How right he was.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Career Statistics

Teams

Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr

Apps

1,239

Goals

902

Honours

Premier League (3), La Liga (2), Serie A (2), FA Cup, Copa del Rey (2), Coppa Italia, League Cup (2), UEFA Super Cup (2), Champions League (5), Club World Cup (4), Arab Club Champions Cup, UEFA European Championship, UEFA Nations League

9 Michael Owen

Ranking the 12 best teenagers in football history (6)

Michael Owen didn't turn 20 until midway through the 1999/2000 season. By that time, the jet-heeled Liverpool striker had already been voted Premier League Player of the Season, finished as top scorer of England's leading division twice and bagged one of the most famous goals in World Cup history.

Voted fourth in the Ballon d'Or awards as a precious 18-year-old, Owen would win the illustrious award three years later but undoubtedly peaked while in his teens. Boasting a turn of pace that left defenders with nightmares, Owen relentlessly hared behind opposition backlines that had no way of stopping the baby-faced assassin.

Michael Owen's Career Statistics

Teams

Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United, Stoke, England

Apps

572

Goals

263

Honours

Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup

8 Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff is one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport. The style of football which he preached changed the entire landscape, creating a long legacy of managers who hold him up as a mentor, such as Pep Guardiola. Before heading to the dugout, Cruyff lit up the pitch. The Dutchman was just 17 when he broke into the Ajax first-team and became a mainstay in the side. At the age of 18, he won his first Eredivisie title, and a year later he made his debut for the Netherlands, scoring in a Euro 1968 qualifier against Hungary.

As impressive as he was as a teenager, his game developed massively, going on to win three Ballon d'Or awards during his illustrious career. Cruyff won 21 trophies and fell agonisingly short of lifting the 1974 FIFA World Cup, losing 2-1 to West Germany at the ripe old age of 27. The Dutchman was named the player of the tournament. His performances as a teenager for Ajax paved the way for an incredible career, becoming a vital figure for Barcelona both as a player and as a manager.

Johan Cruyff's Career Statistics

Teams

Ajax, Barcelona, Feyenoord, Netherlands

Apps

612

Goals

357

Honours

Champions League (3), La Liga, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Cup, Dutch Champion (9), Dutch Cup (6)

7 Jimmy Greaves

Ranking the 12 best teenagers in football history (7)

Due to the establishment of the Premier League, Jimmy Greaves' goal-scoring exploits arguably do not get as much credit as they deserve. In a fitting start to his prolific career, Greaves scored on his Chelsea debut aged just 17. The striker incredibly reached 100 league goals before his 21st birthday, becoming the youngest player ever to do so. Greaves had already established himself in the England side at 18 and quickly became their talisman. His international career was as impressive as his form for his various clubs, scoring a record six hat-tricks for the Three Lions. Lows were soon to follow, however, as Greaves became known as the man who missed the 1966 World Cup final.

Greaves required 14 stitches in a nasty leg wound suffered in the final group game of the World Cup, allowing Geoff Hurst to take his place in the side. England manager, Sir Alf Ramsey, refused to change a winning lineup. Greaves famously missed out on a winners' medal, as only the first 11 were eligible. That finally changed in 2009, when the remaining squad and backroom staff were belatedly recognised.

Jimmy Greaves' Career Statistics

Teams

Chelsea, AC Milan, Tottenham, West Ham, Chelmsford, Barnet, England

Apps

687

Goals

460

Honours

FIFA World Cup, Serie A, FA Cup (2)

6 Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Everton, famously scoring against Arsenal in 2002. His confidence and tremendous talent were there for all to see. He was rewarded with an England call-up in February 2003, aged 17. Those who hadn't heard his name soon took notice when Rooney lit up Euro 2004 when he was just 18. His energy, confidence and raw talent got the nation believing England could go on to win the tournament. Rooney scored four goals during Euro 2004 before his involvement was cut short after breaking his foot in the quarter-finals against Portugal. England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson claimed at the time:

I don't remember anyone making such an impact on a tournament since Pele in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

Rooney would go on to become Manchester United and England's all-time leading goalscorer. Despite falling short on the international stage, Rooney lifted five Premier League titles and a Champions League during an impressive career. Many often wonder what might have been if Rooney avoided injury during Euro 2004.

Wayne Rooney's Career Statistics

Teams

Everton, Manchester United, Derby County, DC United, England

Apps

901

Goals

375

Honours

Premier League (5), Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Europa League, FA Cup, League Cup (4)

5 Ronaldo

Before a horrible knee injury changed the way he played, Ronaldo was one of the most lethal marksmen in world football. Despite only featuring in 14 games in his debut season for Cruzeiro, Ronaldo was so highly rated he was taken to the 1994 World Cup with Brazil; he was only 17. The youngster didn't feature for the world champions in the tournament, but he would soon make his mark on the national team. Ronaldo had won two trophies for Cruzeiro and the Dutch Cup with PSV before he turned 20.

Ronaldo's inspirational performances led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup and the striker played for some of the biggest clubs in world football, including Barcelona and Real Madrid. Many view Ronaldo as one of the best strikers of all time. Former Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic was never slow to laud his own talents, but conceded that Ronaldo was simply "the greatest". "There was nobody like him."

Ronaldo's Career Statistics

Teams

Cruzeiro, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSV, Inter Milan, Corinthians, AC Milan, Brazil

Apps

559

Goals

365

Honours

FIFA World Cup (2), Copa America (2), Confederations Cup, La Liga (2), UEFA Super Cup (2), UEFA Cup, Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup (2), Dutch Cup, Brazilian Cup (2)

4 Diego Maradona

Ranking the 12 best teenagers in football history (8)

Diego Maradona was an enigma, he could do things with the ball that were almost impossible. His weaving runs and incredible ability to ride strong challenges from defenders became famous. Astonishingly, Maradona made his debut for Aregntinos Juniors aged 15. A year later, he had already established himself in the Argentina side, and such was his incredible talent, the decision to leave him out of the 1978 World Cup squad at 18 was seen as controversial.

Maradona won the World Youth Championship in his teenage years before helping Argentina clinch the World Cup in 1986. He is rightly regarded as one of the best players to have ever played the game, and his influence on football is undeniable.

Diego Maradona's Career Statistics

Teams

Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys, Argentina

Apps

582

Goals

293

Honours

FIFA World Cup, Argentine Primera Division, Spanish Cup, La Liga, Serie A (2), Coppa Italia, SuperCoppa Italiana, UEFA Cup

Related

15 Greatest Argentine Players in Football History [Ranked]

From Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona, Argentina have time and again produced true greats of the game.

2

3 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi unsurprisingly makes the list. Barcelona were aware of his ridiculous talent from a very early age, and he made his debut against Espanyol at 16. Before his 20th birthday, Messi had already won two La Liga titles, the Champions League and the U20 World Cup, an astonishing trophy haul for someone so young, and his importance to the Barcelona side was unquestionable. Messi quickly became their main man and was turning heads in the world of football with his supreme talent.

Messi has won an incredible 44 trophies during an illustrious career for his different sides and is still on the hunt for more with Inter Miami. The Barcelona legend has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards and is seen as the very best player of his generation.

Lionel Messi's Career Statistics

Teams

Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami, Argentina

Apps

1,072

Goals

840

Honours

FIFA World Cup, Copa America (2), Champions League (4), FIFA Club World Cup (3), La Liga (10), UEFA Super Cup (3), Spanish Cup (7), Spanish Super Cup (8), French Super Cup, French Champion (2), Olympic Gold Medal

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Lionel Messi scored his very first hat-trick at age 19 against Real Madrid.

2 Kylian Mbappe

There are no superlatives left when describing Kylian Mbappe's phenomenal talent. In 2018, the striker became the first player to score in a World Cup final since the great Pele as France went on to lift the trophy. Mbappe's frightening pace and composure quickly became a nightmare for defenders. The striker scored on his first start in the Champions League for Monaco against Manchester City, at age 17.

Mbappe is still only 25 and has won 18 major trophies in his career, with more inevitably to follow in the colours of Real Madrid. Surprisingly, the striker is yet to win the Ballon d'Or despite his consistent performances since he burst onto the scene. However, it is a case of when and not if.

Kylian Mbappe's Career Statistics

Teams

Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid, France

Apps

462

Goals

337

Honours

FIFA World Cup, Nations League, French Champion (7), French Cup (4), French League Cup (2), French Super Cup (3)

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Kylian Mbappe's Shirt Number and Position at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe will join Real Madrid when his Paris Saint-Germain contract ends - and his likely shirt number has been revealed.

1 Pele

Ranking the 12 best teenagers in football history (11)

Pele was only 15 when he debuted for Santos, winning three Brazilian titles with the club before he turned 20. He became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final, lifting the coveted trophy at age 17. Pele was unknown outside of Brazil before the 1958 World Cup. By the end of the tournament, he was seen as a superstar.

The striker won 27 trophies throughout a career where he was seen as the best in the world. Pele's impressive trophy haul includes three World Cups, a record number for any player. Despite arguments over how many goals Pele ended his career with, there is no doubt about his supreme talent. A player with such elegance in a time of strong tackles and awful pitches, his flair shone through and has influenced so many figures in the world of football.

Pele's Career Statistics

Teams

Santos, New York Cosmos, Brazil

Apps

858

Goals

786

Honours

FIFA World Cup (3), Soccer Bowl, Atlantic Conference, Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A (6), Copa Libertadores (2), Intercontinental Cup (2), Intercontinental Super Cup (2), Campeonato Paulista (10)

All stats from Transfermarkt. Correct as of 24-09-24.

  • Football
  • World Cup
  • Wayne Rooney

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