Lionel Messi has reached the pinnacle of world football, winning the biggest trophies at both international and club level. Now, the Argentina captain is turning his attention to the next generation, highlighting ten emerging talents who could make their mark on the global game in the years ahead.
The selections were reported by Goal.com on Monday, 12 October, as part of the third season of Adidas’s ‘Messi +10’ campaign. The initiative focuses on promising young footballers from different countries, bringing attention to their potential and the opportunities that lie ahead as they develop their careers.
Among the players selected is Tomás Aranda, a young playmaker at Argentine club Boca Juniors. Known for his technical ability and creative approach to the game, Aranda has attracted attention in his home country. His inclusion is particularly significant for Argentine supporters, given the growing interest in the development of young domestic talent.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has also taken notice of Aranda’s potential. The youngster was included in the squad for a pre-World Cup friendly tour, suggesting that his progress has attracted attention beyond club football.
Aranda is currently recovering from a fractured fibula in his right leg and is undergoing rehabilitation. The injury has temporarily interrupted his development on the pitch, leaving his return to competitive action an important next step. Recognition from Messi could provide encouragement during his recovery, although his future progress will depend on his fitness, performances and ability to establish himself consistently at a high level.
The selection extends beyond Argentina, featuring young players from Europe and North America. Among them is Turkish footballer Can Uzun, who plays for German club Eintracht Frankfurt. Also included is Gilberto Mora of Mexican side Tijuana, whose emerging reputation has reportedly attracted interest from leading European clubs.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have been mentioned among the clubs linked with interest in Mora. However, reported attention does not necessarily mean that a transfer is imminent. For young players, sustained performances and continued development remain essential before they can establish themselves among the leading names in the sport.
England’s Max Dowman, a young player associated with Arsenal, also features on the list. His inclusion reflects the attention being given to emerging talent within English football, where young prospects continue to seek opportunities to progress towards the senior game.
The remaining male selections include Xavier Gozo of the United States, Jesús Rodríguez of Spain and Kees Smit of the Netherlands. They represent a range of footballing backgrounds, underlining the international scope of the campaign and its focus on identifying promising players beyond any single league or national team.
One of the most notable aspects of the initiative is its recognition of women’s football. Rather than concentrating exclusively on the men’s game, Messi’s selection also includes three emerging female players: Chloe Saruwi of England, Giovanna Waksman of Brazil and Lotta Wrede of Germany.
Their inclusion broadens the campaign’s focus and gives visibility to young women pursuing careers in football. As the women’s game continues to develop internationally, initiatives that highlight emerging players can help introduce their names and potential to a wider audience.
Messi’s Selected List of Ten Young Footballers
- Tomás Aranda — Argentina, Boca Juniors
- Can Uzun — Turkey, Eintracht Frankfurt
- Gilberto Mora — Mexico, Tijuana
- Max Dowman — England, Arsenal
- Xavier Gozo — United States, Crystal Palace
- Jesús Rodríguez — Spain, Como 1907
- Kees Smit — Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar
- Chloe Saruwi — England, Chelsea
- Giovanna Waksman — Brazil, OL Lyon
- Lotta Wrede — Germany, Hamburger SV
Being selected for a campaign associated with Messi is a notable form of recognition for young footballers still working to establish their reputations. His career, which includes a World Cup triumph with Argentina and numerous major club honours, gives the initiative considerable visibility among football supporters.
However, identifying promising players is not the same as predicting who will become a global superstar. Talent must be matched by consistent performances, professional discipline, physical development and the ability to overcome setbacks. Injuries, competition for places and the demands of senior football can all influence how a young player’s career unfolds.
For Aranda, recovery from injury will be an immediate priority. For the other players, the challenge will be to turn early promise into sustained success at club and international level.
Messi’s selection offers a glimpse of the talent attracting attention across the football world. Which of these ten players will eventually reach the very top remains uncertain, but their inclusion has placed them firmly on the radar of supporters interested in the sport’s next generation.
