Every generation has its prodigies, and this one is unusually deep. We ranked the best young players making an impact now on current form and the size of their ceiling — the names to build a team, or a fantasy of one, around.

1. 1

   Lamine Yamal

   FC Barcelona · Spain

   Already among the best players in the world, never mind the best young ones — a generational winger.

2. 2

   Estêvão

   Chelsea · Brazil

   The Brazilian winger billed as the next great number ten, with the trickery to back the hype.

3. 3

   Pau Cubarsí

   FC Barcelona · Spain

   A teenage centre-back with the composure of a veteran; the foundation of Barcelona’s next decade.

4. 4

   Arda Güler

   Real Madrid · Turkey

   A left foot of rare quality, finding his stage at the Bernabéu.

5. 5

   João Neves

   Paris Saint-Germain · Portugal

   A complete modern midfielder — energy, passing and maturity well beyond his years.

6. 6

   Kobbie Mainoo

   Manchester United · England

   Calm in the chaos of midfield, and an England regular before his twentieth birthday.

7. 7

   Warren Zaïre-Emery

   Paris Saint-Germain · France

   A captain-in-waiting who became PSG’s and France’s youngest in living memory.

8. 8

   Endrick

   Real Madrid · Brazil

   A natural finisher with the swagger Madrid’s number nine shirt demands.

9. 9

   Désiré Doué

   Paris Saint-Germain · France

   Two-footed, fearless and decisive on the biggest nights of PSG’s European run.

10. 10

    Geovany Quenda

    Sporting CP · Portugal

    A flying winger already courted by Europe’s biggest clubs, with the world at his feet.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.