15 Best Teenagers in Football History – Ranked

June 10, 2025 Oliver Obel

Football history has seen several players who achieved greatness while still in their teens. These 15 footballers made a huge impact before turning 20, showing maturity, skill, and influence far beyond their years. Here’s a countdown from 15 to 1 of the best teenage players ever.

15. Patrick Kluivert

Patrick Kluivert scored the winning goal in the 1995 Champions League final at just 18 years old. His first two seasons with Ajax were remarkable, scoring over 20 goals each and quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young strikers in Europe.

14. Eusebio

Eusebio joined Benfica at 18 and quickly developed into a world-class forward. Within two years, he led the club to a European Cup triumph and scored 67 goals in his first two full seasons.

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13. Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas made his debut for Arsenal at just 16 and rose to become captain soon after. His passing vision and composure earned him comparisons to legends, and he was already scoring in big European nights before turning 20.

12. Johan Cruyff

Cruyff broke into Ajax’s first team at 17 and won the Eredivisie by 18. His style of play laid the foundation for one of football’s most influential tactical evolutions in the decades that followed.

11. Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo — photoplanet.am / Shutterstock.com

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United at 18 and took on the number 7 shirt under Alex Ferguson’s guidance. He impressed in his debut season, especially in the FA Cup final, and began the journey toward becoming one of the game’s all-time greats.

10. Duncan Edwards

Duncan Edwards debuted for Manchester United at 16 and was a dominant presence despite his age. His power and pace stood out, and by 18 he was already representing England, with many tipping him to become the best of his generation.

9. Michael Owen

Owen had already won Premier League Player of the Season and scored a famous World Cup goal before turning 20. His pace and finishing were feared across Europe, and he became England’s youngest ever Ballon d’Or finalist at 18.

8. Jimmy Greaves

Greaves scored on his Chelsea debut at 17 and became the youngest player to reach 100 league goals. He had also become an England regular by 18 and remained a prolific scorer throughout his early career.

7. Wayne Rooney

Rooney burst onto the scene at 16 with a stunning goal for Everton against Arsenal. By 18, he had become England’s Euro 2004 star, showing the world his fearless style and clinical finishing on the biggest stage.

6. Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal’s rise has been rapid, scoring historic Champions League and Euro goals before turning 17. His flair and intelligence have already made him a key figure for both Barcelona and Spain.

5. Ronaldo

Ronaldo Nazário — Maxisport / Shutterstock.com

Ronaldo played for Brazil at 17 during the 1994 World Cup and had already won trophies in Brazil and the Netherlands before 20. His explosive style and goal-scoring instincts made him a superstar early on.

4. Diego Maradona

Maradona made his professional debut at 15 and was a regular for Argentina at 16. Despite being controversially left out of the 1978 World Cup, he had already won the World Youth Championship and was showcasing incredible dribbling and vision.

3. Lionel Messi

Messi debuted for Barcelona at 16 and won two La Liga titles, a Champions League, and the U20 World Cup before his 20th birthday. His skill, composure, and goal-scoring ability marked the beginning of a legendary career.

2. Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe scored in a Champions League knockout game at 17 and in a World Cup final at 19. His speed, maturity, and goals led France to the 2018 World Cup and earned him a spot among the game’s elite before turning 20.

1. Pele

Pele debuted at 15 and won his first World Cup at 17, scoring in the final. His teenage years included three league titles and a global explosion of fame, establishing him as the youngest footballer ever to dominate the world stage.