The NXGN Awards are back for another year, but in 2023, we're doing things a little differently!
In previous years, GOAL has ranked the top teenage talents in world football, with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jude Bellingham finishing as the eventual winners.
This year, though, the top 50 men's players will NOT be ranked. Instead, we've selected an elite group that we believe are the very top of the class, who will be known as the inaugural NXGN Nine.
Check out our 50 finalists for NXGN 2023 below:
Getty/GOALArda Guler (Fenerbahce)
Dubbed ‘The Turkish Messi’ in his homeland, Arda has been touted for the top of the game for a number of years, and has shown exactly why since breaking into the Fenerbahce first team in the summer of 2021.
The youngest goalscorer in the club’s history, Arda possesses a dribbling ability and close control that few can match, while his eye for the spectacular has always marked him out as a special talent.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder is already a full Turkey international after making his debut in November, and the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all shown an interest in signing him over the past 12 months.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALAndrey Santos (Chelsea – loan at Vasco da Gama)
Chelsea’s policy of spending big to secure some of the world’s most exciting talents has made headlines over the past few months, but their decision to bring Andrey to Stamford Bridge is likely to age very well indeed.
The Blues beat off interest from Barcelona to sign the 18-year-old in January, paying an initial £13 million to Vasco da Gama after the midfielder’s breakout season in the Brazilian second division.
Nicknamed ‘The Brazilian Busquets’, Andrey showed he is more than just your average defensive midfielder when he captained Brazil to their recent U20 South American Championship title, finishing the tournament as the joint-top scorer with six goals, and is currently back on loan in his homeland as he awaits a work permit.
Getty/GOALAngelo Gabriel (Santos)
Not many players can claim to have made their Santos debut at a younger age than the great Pele, but when Angelo stepped off the bench to make his professional bow as a 15-year-old in October 2020, he did just that.
Now 18 and a veteran of over 100 first-team matches, the winger has developed into one of Brazil’s finest young players, leading to the likes of Barcelona and Newcastle showing an interest in signing him.
The youngest goalscorer in the history of the Copa Libertadores, Angelo is most comfortable cutting inside from the right-hand side, and his talents are expected to land him a European move over the next 12 months.
Getty/GOALStefan Bajcetic (Liverpool)
With Liverpool’s midfield crying out for an injection of energy and quality this season, Bajcetic stepped up in a big way to become almost an automatic selection for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The 18-year-old, whom the Reds beat Manchester United to sign from Celta Vigo in December 2020, has shown an ability to combine excellent defensive instincts with a confidence in possession that belies his lack of experience.
Mohamed Salah recently labelled Bajcetic as Liverpool’s “best player” during their difficult run around the turn of the year, and despite having suffered a season-ending injury, it would now be a surprise were he to lose his place in the team next season, even once the planned summer overhaul of the squad is complete.