Hello all, welcome back to the fourth edition of this yearly post; the world’s top U16 talents. After not seeing a list in 2024, I know we were thinking we weren’t getting a list this year, but think again. And this list, may be some of the best talents we’ve ever seen, with a stacked list and even honorable mentions list. Let’s get into it.
Honorable Mentions
Jack Porter
Age: 16
Position: GK
Club: Arsenal U18
Value: 400k
Arsenal’s second-youngest player ever makes it into our honorable mentions. With an appearance against Bolton in the league cup back in September, Porter is one to watch in the future goalkeeper department. He’s the starter for Arsenal’s U18s, joining Max Dowman who may make an appearance on our 2026 list.
August de Wannemacker
Age: 16
Position: AM
Club: Jong Genk
Value: 400k
The crown jewel of Genk’s latest always-impressive youth class, de Wannemacker is an impressive Belgium prospect, having scored 7 times in 21 appearances for the B-Team. A senior debut is sure to come in the next years.
Harry Gray
Age: 16
Position: ST
Club: Leeds U21
Value: 500k
Brother of Ex-Leeds and Tottenham’s Archie Gray, who’s making his way in football, Harry Gray is one of England’s most exciting young strikers. In the U21 Leeds side, he’s scored 11 times in 18 appearances, and became Leeds’ third-youngest debutant ever, after making a late appearance last season against Stoke in April. He may have an even higher ceiling than his brother.
Eba Beker Is
Age: 16
Position: DM
Club: Frankfurt U19
Value: 500k
Frankfurt’s second youngest ever debutant, debuting in a Europa League match against Roma, Beker Is is an exciting DM prospect for the future. He’s expected to play a larger role in Frankfurt’s B-Team next year, ahead of more frequent first team appearances in the future. He has to potential to become Germany’s starting midfielder in the future.
Moncef Zekri
Age: 16
Position: LB
Club: Mechelen
Value: 500k
A Moroccan left back playing in Belgium, Zekri found his way into the Mechelen team as the starting left back in the last few games of the season back in May. With starting left back Daam Foulon leaving on a free this summer, Zekri may find himself Mechelen’s starter next season, getting him crucial experience that could see him picked up by a top club if he performs well.
Levente Bosze
Age: 16
Position: CM
Club: Dunajska Streda
Value: 500k
This Hungarian prospect is actually getting good minutes in the Slovenian first tier for Dunajska Streda, who finished 4th in the division last year. He played 13 matches in the division, and 21 with the U19s, not bad at all for the youngest player we’ve covered so far. Bosze will hope for an improved role next season with Streda to boost his development.
Luka Weinhandl
Age: 16
Position: CM
Club: Sturm Graz II
Value: 600k
After joining Sturm Graz’s academy as a 6-year old in 2015, 16 year old Luca Weinhandl is one step away from the Austrian giants’ senior setup. He’s made many appearances for the U18 and U16s this season, before switching to the B-Team before the end of the season. While not having made his senior debut yet, Weinhandl will be sure to next season.
10: Mikkel Bro Hansen
Age: 16
Position: ST
Club: Bodo Glimt
Value: 500k
The first proper player on this list, I’ve broken a rule for the first time ever on these lists. While yes, Luka Weinhandl is more highly valued than Bro Hansen, I’ve used my veto card to put the Dane on this list above the Austrian. Having made the bold decision to leave his native Denmark for Bodo Glimt back in February, it’s paid off for him. He’s gone straight into the senior setup, gaining valuable first team experience. While he hasn’t got much time in the Norwegian top flight, he played three times in the Norwegian Cup, and scored two hat tricks and two assists. Despite not even having been in Norway for 5 months, he’s still been the subject of serious interest from Barcelona, and it would be a coup to sign the forward, either for the B-Team or to loan out to Second Division side FC Andorra.
9: Djylan N’Guessan
Age: 16
Position: ST
Club: ASSE
Value: 800k
A rise that reminds me of George Ilenikhena’s 2 years ago, N’Guessan has been getting a few minutes for ASSE and has finally been promoted to the senior side ahead of the 25/26 season. He’s been lighting it up at youth level, with goals under every 150 minutes and has made 8 substitute appearances for the senior ASSE side in Ligue 1 last season. With the level a little lower in Ligue 2 next season, maybe it’s time to see N’Guessan finally get some good burn as he tries to help his childhood side go back up.
8: Deniz Donmezer
Age: 16
Position: GK
Club: Adana Demirspor
Value: 1m
As is seemingly everything in Turkish football, Donmezer has been introduced to senior football with a baptism of fire. The 16 year old has got some of the most senior experience of anyone on this list, but as a goalkeeper, he’s conceded 46 in 19 matches, just under 2.5 per game, with 1 clean sheet. His rise so far is akin to Donnarumma’s nearly a decade ago now, where at the age of 16 he played 30 Serie A games for Milan and conceded just 29 with 11 clean sheets, although with a much better defence. It’s not right to put that pressure on Donmezer yet, but he may reach those levels eventually.
7: Antonio Arena
Age: 16
Position: ST
Club: Pescara
Value: 1m
The highest 2009 player on our list, Arena is a unique player. Born in Sydney but representing Italy, Arena’s got some burn for the Pescara side in Serie C last year who got promoted, impressively scoring 1 and assisting 1 in just 127 minutes. However, it’ll be a big jump for him next year in Serie B, one that will test the Australian, for sure. He scored 3 in 14 appearances for Pescara’s B Team, but just needs that experience to do it in the big leagues.
6: Saba Kharebashvili
Age: 16
Position: LB
Club: Dinamo Tblisi
Value: 1.2m
Dinamo Tblisi’s most valuable player, Kharebashvili has become one of the Georgian side’s most valuable players at just 16. Now the starting left back and the #5, he’s also bagged 3 assists in 16 matches and has been in the senior side for over a year. He’s been linked to many a-major name, with Liverpool reportedly in pursuit with Barca and Real Madrid for him. He’s definitely one to watch for the future.
5: Ruan Pablo
Age: 16
Position: LW
Club: Bahia
Value: 1.5m
One of Brazil’s next big talents surely, Ruan Pablo’s been turning heads from those invested in the Brazilian scene. While he doesn’t have much first team experience yet, his exploits at the U17 South American championship have turned heads. He’s made his debut for Bahia, and is sure to get more time as the season progresses. Man City have first rights for the youngster, as Bahia is part of the City Football Group, and in a few years he may turn into a great prospect for City.
4: Dastan Satpaev
Age: 16
Position: ST
Club: Kairat Almaty (To join Chelsea in 2026)
Value: 1.8m
Here we have Kazakhstan’s golden boy. The best talent in memory, Satpaev is already one of the best in the Kazakhstani league, leading the line for Kairat, second place in the league behind Astana. He’s played every game for the club this season, starting most, and scoring 8 while providing 4 assists, which leads the scoring charts. At 16. All this caught the attention of Chelsea, who snagged him for a 2026 transfer once he turns 18. I can’t wait to see how this youngster does for the Blues once he joins, it’ll be special to see.
3: Nathan de Cat
Age: 16
Position: DM
Club: Anderlecht Futures
Value: 2.5m
With de Cat, we’re now firmly into the very exciting talents. Having starred for the Anderlecht B-Team for a while now, with someone who may be the future of the Belgian DM spot. Toward the end of last season, the 16-year old defensive midfielder made some appearances for the Belgian giants, and in 81 minutes managed to score a goal, impressively. Many major European clubs are monitoring the youngster, and I can’t wait to see his development.
2: Gilberto Mora
Age: 16
Position: AM
Club: Tijuana
Value: 3m
Now we have Mexico’s most exciting talents for the future, Giberto Mora has been one of Tijuana’s key pieces already at 16. Playing 30 times for the Mexican giants, the attacking midfielder has still scored just once and assisted once, but he’s been exciting everyone in Mexico with his talent. Barcelona is one of the clubs monitoring him, inviting the youngster to train at La Masia. He also recently made his Mexico debut at the Concacaf Gold Cup, so all eyes are on this young man to see what he can do.
1: Toni Fernandez
Position: RW
Club Barcelona Atletic
Value: 3m
Tied for Mora at number 1, Barcelona holds this spot once again, just as in 2023. While Toni Fernandez doesn’t have the hype Lamine Yamal does, he maybe should. Having played with the B-Team for a while now, making 23 appearances and scoring 8 times while providing 3 assists, Hansi Flick made him the second-youngest Barca debutant ever, giving him 9 minutes off the bench in the Copa del Rey against Barbastro. He’d hope, along with his 17-year old cousin Guillermo, with arguably even more promise than Toni, to finally make some senior appearances in 25/26.
That’s all for our list today. This class may end up being one of the most talented classes of young players in Bob and Jim history, with promising players all over. I can’t wait to see how they do. For now, I’m Jim James, until next time!