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 world's top teenage talents in women's football, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jadon Sancho finishing as the eventual winners.
This year, though, instead of there being a sole victor, we've selected an elite group that we believe are the very top of the class: The inaugural NXGN Nine.
So, having named 50 finalists, check out our selections for the top teenage talents in the world:
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.
As well as Messi, Arda has been likened to Mesut Ozil in some quarters, and he had the chance to learn from the ex-Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder while Ozil was playing for the Istanbul outfit.
Ozil has gone on the record to state that Arda will one day be "a world star", and while he has not always had the minutes his talent deserves this season, he has generally made the most of his opportunities when they have come along.
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.
AdvertisementGOALMohamed-Ali Cho (Real Sociedad)
Having spent time in both Paris Saint-Germain and Everton’s academies as his family moved between France and England, Cho broke out at Angers in Ligue 1 last season.
A pacey forward who is capable of playing anywhere across the front line, Cho's willingness to take on defenders and his silky skills even led to some comparing him with Kylian Mbappe during his time in the French top flight.
His form earned him a call-up to the France U21 squad (having previously represented England) and an €11 million (£9.8m/$11.6m) move to Real Sociedad over the summer.
The 19-year-old has, though, struggled with injuries since arriving in Spain, but when he has been available, he has shown why La Real were so keen to bring him to La Liga.
Dubbed "a superstar in the making" by Spanish football expert Graham Hunter, the sky is the limit for Cho if he can maintain his fitness.
GOALEndrick (Palmeiras)
Ever since clips of him dominating Brazil’s prestigious U20 Copinha as a 15-year-old went viral in January 2022, the race to sign Endrick grew more and more intense among Europe’s elite clubs.
In the end, Real Madrid beat off competition from Barcelona, Chelsea and PSG as they agreed to pay Palmeiras up to €60m to sign the forward, who is regarded as the best talent to emerge in Brazil since Neymar.
Quick, two-footed and with an eye for the spectacular, Endrick is the encapsulation of 'O Jogo Bonito', and many in Brazil are already excited by the prospect of him appearing alongside Selecao stars Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo at Santiago Bernabeu.
Endrick himself has modelled his game on former Palmeiras sensation Gabriel Jesus, but there is a real belief that he will far surpass the Arsenal's strikers achievements in the game.
The 16-year-old will have to wait another 18 months to move to Spain, but having scored three goals in his first seven top-flight games towards the end of 2022, expectations are that Endrick will keep burgeoning his growing reputation in the meantime.
GOALGavi (Barcelona)
Barcelona are used to producing world-class talents within their famed La Masia academy, but they have outdone themselves when it comes to Gavi.
The midfielder is still only 18 yet already a veteran of over 80 appearances for one of world football’s biggest clubs, with his combative nature and exceptional ball control ensuring that he bridged the gap from youth team football to the elite with ease.
He made that transition look so easy that he was called up by Spain having made fewer than 10 first-team appearances in September 2021, and became the youngest player to ever represent La Roja when he was handed his debut by Luis Enrique.
Gavi also became the third-youngest player to ever score at a World Cup for any nation when he netted against Costa Rica in November, though that is likely to just be the start of him making a regular impact on major international tournaments.
At club level, meanwhile, the 2022 Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy winner is already a key figure for Xavi's improving team, hence the desperation Barca have shown to tie him down to a new contract amid fears the likes of Liverpool or Manchester United could sneak in to sign him as the club tangle with La Liga over whether they can afford to register the teenager.