Ten teenage stars to watch in this season's Champions League
A new generation of young talents — from debutants to high-profile signings — aim to shape Europe’s premier club competition
The Champions League returns this week with clubs across Europe set to introduce a wave of teenage talent to the continent’s premier club competition.
BBC Sport has identified 10 teenagers who are expected to make an impact this season, ranging from established youth internationals to recent high-profile signings who have earned places in senior squads or cup finals.
Vasilije Adzic, 19, joined Juventus in 2024 after helping Buducnost Podgorica win the Montenegrin title as a 16-year-old. The midfielder made his Juve debut in October 2024, became the first Montenegrin to appear for the club since 2014, and featured in Juventus’s 2024–25 campaign including one Champions League appearance. Adzic scored on his senior international debut for Montenegro in June.
Jobe Bellingham, 19, moved from Sunderland to Borussia Dortmund in the summer for an initial fee reported at £27 million. The English midfielder, who has been used as a defensive and box-to-box player and occasionally as a forward, was the only teenager to both score and assist at the 2025 Club World Cup. He has represented England at under-21 level and will face Premier League opposition in group fixtures, including matches away to Manchester City and Tottenham.
Claudio Echeverri, 19, is on a season-long loan at Bayer Leverkusen from Manchester City, who retain the option to recall him in January. The Argentine attacking midfielder joined City in January 2024 but spent a further year on loan at River Plate before making his Premier League debut. Echeverri scored from a freekick for City in the Club World Cup and is expected to be an attacking option for Leverkusen in European competition.
Jorrel Hato, 19, arrived at Chelsea from Ajax in August for around £37 million after being named the top under-21 player in the Dutch Eredivisie. Capable at full-back or centre-back, Hato made his Ajax debut aged 16 and captained the side at 17, earning six caps for the Netherlands senior team. His defensive versatility and assist numbers make him one to watch as Chelsea compete in the group stage.
George Ilenikhena, 19, has established a reputation as a fast, powerful striker and is among the youngest scorers in Champions League history. He scored in the competition for Antwerp at 17 and again for Monaco following his move from Royal Antwerp. Ilenikhena’s pace and history of scoring against top-level opponents mark him as a potential match-winner for Monaco.
Franco Mastantuono, 18, joined Real Madrid from River Plate after the club activated a reported €45 million release clause. Regarded as one of Argentina’s brightest prospects, Mastantuono made his international debut at 17 and is in contention to become one of Real Madrid’s youngest Champions League starters if selected on matchday one.
Senny Mayulu, 19, has already collected domestic trophies with Paris St-Germain and enhanced his reputation by scoring off the bench in PSG’s 5-0 victory in the Champions League final in May. Used often as an impact substitute, the midfielder also took part in PSG’s Club World Cup campaign and has represented France at under-20 level.
Rio Ngumoha, 17, moved to Liverpool from Chelsea’s academy in 2024 and became the youngest goalscorer in the club’s Premier League history when he scored in August, days before his 17th birthday. The winger and attacking midfielder impressed in pre-season and early domestic fixtures, and Liverpool will look to his direct, skilful play as part of their European challenge.
Ethan Nwaneri, 18, broke into Arsenal’s first team as a teenager and became the youngest player ever to appear in the Premier League at 15. In 2024–25 he made 37 senior appearances across competitions, scoring nine goals including two in the Champions League, and helped England win the European Under-21 Championship in the summer.
Geovany Quenda, 18, was the youngest Portuguese starter in Champions League history when he started for Sporting against Lille in September 2024. The winger and wing-back played a key role in Sporting’s league-and-cup double in 2024–25, scored three goals at the European Under-21 Championship and has a transfer to Chelsea agreed for next summer for a fee reported up to £44 million.
The list highlights a mix of players who have already featured in European competition and others whose transfers this summer have elevated expectations. Several were involved in the recent Club World Cup or domestic cup finals, and a number have been capped at youth or senior international level.
Champions League fixtures begin this week, with matches spread across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and broadcasters planning comprehensive coverage. BBC Sport will show highlights of every Champions League game on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with a Champions League Match of the Day programme on BBC One on Wednesday evening.
As clubs negotiate the rigours of domestic and European schedules, managers will decide whether to introduce these teenagers gradually or deploy them as immediate starters. Their involvement will be watched closely by club supporters, national team selectors and transfer-market observers as the tournament provides a prominent stage for emerging talent.