Lionel Messi Highlights 10 Rising Football Talents

Lionel Messi Spotlights Next Generation of Football Stars

After ending his international career, Lionel Messi has shared a list of ten young players he believes will shine in men's and women's football. Among those named is Arsenal's promising 16-year-old, Max Dowman.

Messi retired from international play following Argentina's defeat to Spain in the July 2026 World Cup final. His farewell match came in October with a 3-0 friendly win over Benin, where he scored a penalty to close out an iconic national team career with 126 goals in 208 appearances. Having achieved every major honor, including leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, Messi now looks forward to football's future stars.

Key Moments in Messi's Recent Career

• July 2026: Spain beats Argentina 1-0 in World Cup final after extra time.
• August 2026: Messi announces retirement from international football.
• October 2026: Adidas releases tribute video celebrating Messi's career.
• October 2026: Messi scores penalty in final Argentina appearance, 3-0 win over Benin.

The list compiled by Messi, released in collaboration with Adidas, includes both men and women players, several of whom are based in England. Max Dowman, praised as one of the Premier League's brightest prospects, already features in Mikel Arteta's first team. Last season, the Hale End academy graduate became the youngest goalscorer in top-flight history and won the Premier League's Home Grown Debutant of the Season award.

Chelsea's 17-year-old defender Chloe Sarwie also earned a spot on Messi's list. A key figure for England's youth teams and recently called up for the U20 World Cup squad, Sarwie debuted for Chelsea's senior side in October 2025 and is expected to be a cornerstone of the Lionesses in coming years.

Other Young Players Messi Endorses

Among the other talents Messi highlighted is American Zavier Gozo, who broke into Crystal Palace’s first team at 19 and has already appeared for the USA under Mauricio Pochettino. Mexican midfielder Gilberto Mora impressed during the recent World Cup on home soil and is attracting interest from European clubs, including Liverpool.

Argentine Tomas Aranda, 19, earned his first senior cap in June and could soon move to Europe. Turkish forward Can Uzun, 20, scored during Turkey's World Cup campaign and has been prolific in the Bundesliga for Eintracht Frankfurt, starting the season strongly with four goals and three assists in six matches.

Dutch midfielder Kees Smit, 20, stayed with AZ Alkmaar despite rumors linking him to Real Madrid or Premier League teams. Known for his composure and passing, he’s been compared to Kevin De Bruyne. Spanish winger Jesus Rodriguez, another 20-year-old, has made waves in Serie A and already boasts 10 caps for Spain’s U21 team.

Two young female talents rounding out the list are Lotta Wrede, an 18-year-old German attacker making an impact at Hamburger SV, and Giovanna Waksman, a 17-year-old Brazilian midfielder with Lyon who has caught Messi’s attention.

Messi's 10 Future Stars of Football

• Max Dowman – Arsenal, England, 16
• Chloe Sarwie – Chelsea, England, 17
• Zavier Gozo – Crystal Palace, USA, 19
• Tomas Aranda – Boca Juniors, Argentina, 19
• Gilberto Mora – Tijuana, Mexico, 17
• Can Uzun – Eintracht Frankfurt, Turkey, 20
• Kees Smit – AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands, 20
• Jesus Rodriguez – Como, Spain, 20
• Lotta Wrede – Hamburger SV, Germany, 18
• Giovanna Waksman – Lyon, Brazil, 17