Youngsters to watch out for in the Champions League

• The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League group stage kicks off today with top clubs such as Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, FC Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid playing their fixtures today
• Liverpool’s 17-year-old left winger Rio Ngumoha is among the youngsters to watch out for in the competition this season
• Ngumoha announced himself to the football world in style a few weeks ago when he scored a late winner for the Reds against Newcastle United in the English Premier League. 

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League group stage kicks off today, but who are the youngsters to watch out for in the competition?

Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, FC Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid are among Europe’s top clubs that will be in action tonight. The league phase will continue tomorrow with last season’s winners Paris Saint-Germain starting their title defense campaign. Other top clubs that will play their fixtures tomorrow include Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

ALSO READ: World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti retires from football at 31

So, which teenagers should you be on the lookout for in the Champions League this season? Our list does not include PSG’s Desire Doue and Lamine Yamal of Barcelona considering they already made headlines during the 2024-25 campaign.

1. Rio Ngumoha

Liverpool’s 17-year-old left winger Rio Ngumoha announced himself to the football world in style a few weeks ago when he scored a late winner against Newcastle United in the English Premier League.

Ngumoha played for Chelsea’s academy before joining the Reds youth team in 2024. He made his debut for the senior team in January as Liverpool secured a 4-0 victory in the FA Cup third-round fixture against Accrington. He impressed in the pre-season, scoring stellar goals against Yokohama and Athletic Club. This led to him securing a permanent spot in Liverpool’s senior squad where he has continued to display moments of brilliance.

2. Ethan Nwaneri – Arsenal

Next on youngsters to watch out for in the UEFA Champions League this season is Ethan Nwaneri. The 18-year-old plays as a winger or attacking midfielder and has established himself as one of the best teenagers in the world.

Nwaneri started for Arsenal in 16 matches and made another 21 appearances from the bench last season. He scored nine goals, including two in the Champions League and his performance led to him being nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Nwaneri is in the history books as the youngest footballer to play in the English Premier League. He made his debut in England’s top flight back in September 2022 against Brentford at the age of 15.

3. Franco Mastantuono – Real Madrid

Franco Mastantuono is considered by many as one of the most promising youngsters in the world. The Argentina international joined Real Madrid on his 18th birthday last month and has featured in all of the Los Blancos’ La Liga matches this season.

Mastantuono, who publicly stated that his idol is Lionel Messi, plays as a midfielder. He made his senior debut for the Argentina national team during the international break two weeks ago.

4. Senny Mayulu – Paris Saint-Germain

Senny Mayulu is only 19 and has already won two Ligue 1 titles and a UEFA Champions League. The Frenchman made his professional debut in 2024 and was often used as a substitute last season by manager Luis Enrique. He played a role in PSG winning the Champions League in May, scoring the fifth goal in the 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan.

The goal enhanced his reputation on the pitch and even earned him a position in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, which PSG lost to Chelsea.

ALSO READ: Chelsea beat PSG to win the FIFA Club World Cup

5. Jobe Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund

Jobe Bellingham is the younger brother of Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. Jobe helped Sunderland secure promotion to the Premier League at the end of last season and then decided to follow in his father’s footsteps by moving to Germany where he joined Borussia Dortmund.

The 19-year-old played at the FIFA Club World Cup where he scored his first goal for his new club. The 19-year-old is often deployed as a defensive midfielder or box-to-box midfielder but can also play as a centre-forward.