Lionel Messi’s football prediction: 10 young talents tipped to shape the game’s future
Fresh from an emotional farewell to Argentina’s national team, Lionel Messi has turned his attention to the next generation of football stars. In a promotional campaign with sportswear company Adidas, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner selected 10 promising players he believes could make a major impact on the sport in the years ahead.
The list spans men’s and women’s football, bringing together emerging talents from several countries and leagues. Some have already made senior debuts or represented their national teams, while others are still at the beginning of their professional journeys. Messi’s selections are not a guarantee of future success, but they offer a high-profile prediction of who may be worth watching.
Max Dowman among the standout young prospects
One of the most eye-catching names is Arsenal’s Max Dowman, whose progress has drawn attention despite his age. The young Englishman has already made 15 senior appearances for the Gunners, an impressive milestone for a player still developing physically and tactically.
Last season, Dowman featured six times in the Premier League as Arsenal secured the league title. He also received the Premier League Home Grown Debutant of the Season award, recognition of both his breakthrough and the promise he has shown at the highest domestic level.
For young players, establishing a foothold in a title-chasing side can be especially demanding. Dowman’s appearances suggest that Arsenal’s coaching staff trust him to contribute in competitive situations, while his continued development will depend on consistent opportunities, careful management and the ability to adapt as opponents learn more about his game.
Emerging names from the United States, Argentina and Mexico
Messi also included Zavier Gozo, a 19-year-old forward associated with Crystal Palace. Gozo made his debut against Manchester City this season and has since earned his first cap for the United States. That combination of club exposure and international experience gives him an important platform as he seeks to establish himself in senior football.
Argentina’s sole representative on the list is Boca Juniors midfielder Tomás Aranda. The 19-year-old has made 14 appearances in his first season as a professional, catching Messi’s attention with his early performances. Aranda’s inclusion is notable given the depth of young talent in Argentine football and the expectations that come with representing one of the country’s best-known clubs.
Mexico’s Gilberto Mora is already further along the international pathway. The 17-year-old Club Tijuana player has appeared at four World Cups for Mexico, giving him a level of tournament experience that is unusual for someone his age. His selection reflects the growing visibility of young Mexican players and the potential for them to play influential roles for club and country.
Can Uzun and Europe’s next generation
Turkey international Can Uzun has also earned a place in Messi’s selection. The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder has recorded 19 goals and 12 assists in 65 Bundesliga appearances, a return that highlights his ability to contribute in the final third as well as support the build-up.
Those numbers offer a useful snapshot of Uzun’s attacking output, though his long-term progress will also be measured by how he influences matches beyond goals and assists. Developing consistency, making effective decisions under pressure and adapting to different tactical demands are all important steps for a young midfielder moving toward his prime.
The men’s selection is completed by AZ Alkmaar’s Dutch prospect Kees Smit and Jesus Rodriguez, who plays for Como 1907 under head coach Cesc Fabregas. Their inclusion underlines the variety of routes emerging players can take: from clubs known for developing young talent to teams offering opportunities in major European competitions.
Women’s football represented by rising attackers
Messi’s choices also shine a light on the future of women’s football. Hamburger SV’s Lotta Wrede and Olympique Lyon’s Giovanna Waksman are among the three young women named in the campaign, alongside Chelsea attacker Chloe Sarwie.
Sarwie, 17, has already made seven senior appearances for Chelsea and has been included in England’s Under-20 squad for the upcoming World Cup. The tournament could offer valuable experience against international opposition, while also giving her a chance to demonstrate how her club development translates to the national-team stage.
Including players from women’s football alongside the men’s prospects gives the campaign a broader view of the sport’s future. It also reflects the increasing attention on young women’s players as clubs and national teams invest in development pathways and create more opportunities to compete at senior level.
Messi’s previous selections offer a point of comparison
This is not the first time Messi has highlighted young players through a similar initiative. Last year’s selections included Rio Ngumoha, who went on to establish himself as an important option at Liverpool under coach Andoni Iraola. In May 2025, Ngumoha became the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history when he found the net against Newcastle.
That earlier list also featured Andrey Santos, who moved from Chelsea to Manchester United, and Kendry Paez, currently on loan from Chelsea to River Plate. Paez has already earned 27 international appearances for Ecuador despite his young age, illustrating how quickly some prospects can accumulate experience at the highest level.
Past examples do not mean every player named in a campaign will follow the same trajectory. Young footballers face different challenges, from competition for places and injuries to changes in coaching staff and the demands of balancing club and international schedules. A high-profile endorsement can raise expectations, but sustained progress still depends on performance, opportunity and development.
A prediction, not a guarantee
Messi’s latest selections provide fans with a useful shortlist of emerging players to follow across the men’s and women’s game. From Dowman’s early progress at Arsenal and Aranda’s breakthrough at Boca Juniors to Sarwie’s international ambitions and Mora’s experience with Mexico, each prospect offers a different story of development.
The campaign is ultimately a snapshot of potential rather than a forecast set in stone. Football’s next generation will be shaped by what these players do in the coming seasons: how they respond to pressure, grow within their teams and turn promise into consistent performances. For supporters looking for the sport’s future stars, Messi’s list offers plenty of names to keep on their radar.
