GOAL selected the 50 best footballing talents from around the world born on or after January 1, 2004 – but are they living up to their potential?
Since NXGN's launch in 2016, GOAL has profiled the 50 best footballing wonderkids on the planet on an annual basis. Some of those recognised for their talent as teenagers are now household names, but others have not yet realised their potential.
So after the NXGN 2025 list was revealed, check out where the stars of 2023 are now:
Every NXGN list
Dembele, Tielemans & 2016's best wonderkids
Mbappe, Donnarumma & 2017's best wonderkids
De Ligt, Kluivert & 2018's best wonderkids
Haaland, Sancho & 2019's best wonderkids
Saka, Rodrygo & 2020's best wonderkids
James, Oberdorf & 2020's best women's wonderkids
Pedri, Ansu Fati & 2021's best wonderkids
Le Tissier, Bennison & 2021's best women's wonderkids
Bellingham, Musiala & 2022's best wonderkids
Dumornay, Fowler & 2022's best women's wonderkids
Shaw, Thompson & 2023's best women's wonderkids
Yamal, Mainoo & 2024's best wonderkids
Caicedo, Moultrie & 2024's best women's wonderkids
Stefan Bajcetic (Liverpool)
2023: Amid a miserable season at Anfield, Bajcetic had emerged as a bright light in Liverpool's midfield. The Spanish No.6, whom the Reds had beaten Manchester United to sign, had earned praise from Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah for his performances.
2024: Bajcetic made just one Premier League appearance in 2023-24, with a calf injury keeping him on the sidelines for the majority of the campaign.
2025: The midfielder was loaned to Red Bull Salzburg in August, but couldn't hold down a regular starting spot, and the deal was cancelled in January before he instead joined Las Palmas in La Liga.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesValentin Barco (Boca Juniors)
2023: The fourth-youngest player to ever represent Boca, left-back Barco had put in some encouraging performances with the first team, leading to interest from Manchester City.
2024: Barco forced his way into the Boca line-up midway through the 2023 season, and played an important role in their run to the Copa Libertadores final as he was moved from left-back to the wing. Brighton then spent around £8m to bring Barco to the Premier League in January 2024, and he made a handful of appearances before the culmination of the campaign.
2025: Barco was loaned to Sevilla so as to gain some experience of European football, but he made just three La Liga starts before the spell was cut short in January. He then joined Strasbourg in January, and he has quickly become a starter in Ligue 1.
Getty ImagesRoony Bardghji (FC Copenhagen)
2023: The youngest goalscorer in Danish Superliga history, top European clubs were already tracking Bardghji's progress, with the forward having been dubbed 'the Swedish Messi' as he came through the ranks at Copenhagen.
2024: Bardghji enjoyed a breakout season as he netted 11 goals in all competitions, including a late winner against Manchester United in the Champions League, and top Premier League clubs were following him closely before he suffered a serious knee injury in May 2024 that ruined any hopes of a summer transfer.
2025: The forward is continuing his recovery as he eyes a return before the season is out.
Getty ImagesEliesse Ben Seghir (Monaco)
2023: Ben Seghir made a superb first impression in Ligue 1, scoring twice on his domestic debut to become the youngest player to net a brace for Monaco since Thierry Henry. He had remained in the team thereafter, and chipped in with goals and assists along the way.
2024: Hip and shoulder injuries meant Ben Seghir missed most of the first half of the 2023-24 season, and he made just 13 league appearances upon his return.
2025: Now back fully fit, Ben Seghir – who is an established member of the Morocco national side – has emerged as one of the most creative players in the French top-flight, while he is also enjoying his best goal-scoring season to date too.
