Top 10 Youngsters of the European Football 2012-2013 Season

This is a list of the most impressive young footballers from the 2012/2013 season.

To qualify for this list, a player must have been 23 years old or younger during that season.

The Top Ten

Eden Hazard

Eden Michael Hazard, born January 7, 1991, is a retired Belgian professional footballer. He last played for Real Madrid CF and captained the Belgium national team. Hazard officially announced his retirement from football in October 2023.

Questions were asked before he joined Chelsea about whether he could perform against the physical approach of most English clubs. The Belgian superstar is not blessed with a massive physique, but he is definitely blessed with immense talent. Eden Hazard has flourished in the EPL and added the flair that Chelsea needed. The numbers don't lie - Eden has a staggering 19 assists and 8 goals so far this season, contributing to 28 Chelsea goals.

Obvious choice. Hazard had to be in the top!
Marco Reus

Marco Reus, born May 31, 1989, is a German professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. Known for his speed, technique, and versatility, Reus was a key player for Borussia Dortmund and earned 48 appearances for the German national team.... read more

The German international superstar is enjoying a stellar debut season with Dortmund. He signed in the summer for a €17 million fee, which seemed a bit too high for him. Halfway through the season, we can see that Marco is worth double or maybe even triple that amount. He has been brilliant for Borussia, scoring 15 goals, one of them a wonderful volley against Madrid at the Bernabeu. Reus also has 8 assists to his name.

Reus is better off than Hazard since he is dependable, believable, a good dribbler, and one of the best controllers. Furthermore, he's got good finishing power and is a great playmaker whom you can trust when inside the opponent's box. In fact, he should be contending with Messi and Ronaldo.
Neymar

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (born February 5, 1992), commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Brazil national team.
He is the all-time top goalscorer for the Brazil national team.... read more

Are you crazy!
Don't say he is overrated because being the player of the Confederations Cup says it all. Neymar is soon joining Barcelona, so watch how he humiliates Ramos, Pepe, and many other good players.

The most skillful player in history.

Neymar has the speed to defeat 11 vs. 1.
Gareth Bale

Gareth Frank Bale is a retired Welsh professional footballer who played as a winger for the English club Tottenham Hotspur, the Spanish club Real Madrid, and the Wales national team. He captured a staggering five UEFA Champions League titles during his historic tenure in Spain. The explosive forward... read more

We were all wondering when Gareth Bale would fulfill his potential. Believe it or not, that time is now. Bale has been monstrous throughout this campaign for Spurs, scoring and creating goals for fun. He can do things very few players can. Sometimes, he's a one-man show. His performances against Lyon and Aston Villa show us what he's all about. On his day, Gareth Bale can single-handedly win his team a match.

Unlike other players who play alongside world-renowned teammates, Bale single-handedly made Tottenham a competitive team in Europe. This new season, Bale will be playing alongside stars such as Ronaldo, Isco, Benzema, and Marcelo. I'm sure he will be considered not only one of the best young players in the world but also one of the most important players of all time.
Stephan El Shaarawy

Milan's little Pharaoh has been outstanding this season. He was denied any real opportunities to break into the first team prior to this season, but when he had the chance, boy, did he take it. EL92, as Milan fans call him, is currently the team's top scorer this season with 19 goals, and he also has 6 assists to his name. However, the most astonishing aspect about this prodigy is that he is just 20 years of age.
Oscar

The young Brazilian playmaker was relatively unknown to most European fans last season, but the kid has made a name for himself in a very short amount of time. He signed for Chelsea from Brazilian giants Internacional for a £20 million fee. He has scored 9 goals and assisted just as many so far this season. The 21-year-old has also shown a knack for scoring outrageous goals, as seen against Juventus and Shakhtar in particular.
Isco

Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez, commonly known as Isco, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Real Betis. He previously played for clubs including Valencia, Málaga, Real Madrid, and Sevilla, and has represented the Spain national team. Known for his creativity... read more

Malaga's young Spanish playmaker is having a remarkable 2012-13 season. The youngster has been said to highly resemble Barca superstar Andres Iniesta. Isco has scored 10 goals and assisted 6 so far this season. He has also made his Spanish international debut in midfield, which, at the tender age of 21, is a huge achievement in itself.

What an amazing playmaker - an Iniesta in the making.
Mario Götze

Mario Götze (born June 3, 1992) is a German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. He previously played for PSV Eindhoven from 2020 to 2022, where he won the KNVB Cup in 2022. Götze is best known for scoring the winning goal for Germany in... read more

The second Dortmund youngster to make the list, Mario Gotze has been an outstanding performer this season for his club and the German national team. Gotze has a strong 14 goals and 8 assists for his club so far this season. He has also been a regular starter for the German national team.

He has proven his skills and assets in the toughest of situations, unlike players like Neymar, who haven't performed well in tougher matches. For some people, Gotze might be the next Messi, and for others, the next Ronaldo. However, he will remain an amazing talent.
Jack Wilshere

Jack Andrew Garry Wilshere (born January 1, 1992) is an English football coach and former professional player. He became the manager of Luton Town in October 2025 after previously serving as Norwich City's interim head coach.... read more

An Arsenal legend in the making. Jack Wilshere suffered a horrendous injury in the late stages of last season, which suggested he wouldn't be able to play up to his standards when he recovered. The shocking thing is, he improved! That alone shows the determination of this young man.

Wilshere has a great impact on the Arsenal squad. He lifts the team forward with his desire to push forward and has a vision that no one else his age can compare with. He is the next greatest legend for England and will soon captain them to a World Cup trophy.
David de Gea

David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Fiorentina. He previously represented the Spain national team and played for Manchester United from 2011 to 2023. De Gea was recognized as one of the world's top goalkeepers during his time with Manchester United... read more

One of the best young goalkeepers in the world, alongside Manuel Neuer. A star for Manchester United last season, he displayed remarkable and athletic saves using not only his hands but also his legs, head - well, practically any body part. He has amazing dribbling skills too!

He is one of the young superstars now and will soon become the biggest goalkeeper in the world.

The Newcomers

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Georginio Wijnaldum

That guy is fantastic, especially at long-range shots.
He's the star of my Dream League Soccer team!
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Aymeric Laporte

The Contenders

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli Barwuah, born on August 12, 1990, is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Al-Ittifaq in the UAE First Division League. Throughout his career, he has played for numerous clubs, including Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan, Liverpool, and Nice. He represented... read more

Balotelli looked like an absolute monster in the 2012 Euros, which gave us the impression that he was going to spring into life at Manchester City. However, it did not work out at all, and in the winter, Super Mario signed for Milan. He made an instant impact, scoring 4 goals in his first 4 Milan games.

I don't know why he's not in the top 5. He's arguably one of the best.
Paul Pogba

Paul Labile Pogba, born March 15, 1993, is a French professional footballer. He plays as a central midfielder for Ligue 1 club AS Monaco and represented the France national team from 2013 to 2022. Pogba previously played for Manchester United and Juventus and won the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018... read more

Pogba won the Hyundai Young Player Award in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Raphaël Varane

Raphaël Xavier Varane is a French former professional footballer who played as a centre-back for clubs including Lens, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Como. At Real Madrid, he won four UEFA Champions League titles and multiple domestic trophies. Varane began his professional career with Lens during... read more

The only defender on the list, Raphael Varane has been a solid part of Real Madrid's defensive structure this season. Two years ago, presumably no one in the football world knew who this guy was, but he has done a great job making a name for himself. He has also scored two goals this season, both against Real Madrid's bitter rivals Barcelona, which will definitely endear him to Madrid fans.
Aaron Ramsey

Aaron James Ramsey, born December 26, 1990, is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He had a long career with Arsenal, where he won several FA Cups and became a key player. Ramsey also played a central role for the Wales national team and captained the squad before retiring... read more
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Marco Verratti

Marco Verratti is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Al-Duhail in the Qatar Stars League. He previously played for Paris Saint-Germain from 2012 to 2023 and represented the Italy national team from 2012 to 2023. Verratti is known for his vision, ball control, and... read more
Adnan Januzaj
Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho Correia, known as Philippe Coutinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger. He has played for clubs including Inter Milan, Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Aston Villa, Al-Duhail, and Vasco da Gama. Coutinho has also represented the... read more

The little boy was astonishing last season. What a player! We think he should be number one.
Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Real Madrid in Spain's La Liga and represents the Belgium national team. He has earned numerous accolades for his performances, including winning the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid. Courtois... read more
James Rodríguez

James David Rodríguez Rubio, known as James Rodríguez, is a Colombian professional footballer who captains the Colombia national team as an attacking midfielder or winger. He burst onto the global stage by taking home the Golden Boot at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Following that dazzling tournament, he... read more
Matija Nastasić
Giovani dos Santos

Giovani "Gio" dos Santos Ramírez is a Mexican former professional footballer. He played for clubs including the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer and represented the Mexico national team. Dos Santos was known for his creativity, technical skill, and international experience, including appearances in three... read more
Gerard Deulofeu

Amazing player! I can't wait for him to emerge at the top of the Barcelona squad.
David Alaba

David Alaba is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Real Madrid and captains the Austria national team. He joined Real Madrid in 2021 after spending more than a decade at Bayern Munich. Alaba has won numerous domestic and international titles, including multiple Bundesliga... read more

Even though he was just 21 years old, he was already one of the three best left defenders in the world.
Jesé Rodríguez