Lionel Messi has enjoyed a career filled with almost every major honour the sport has to offer. From winning the World Cup with Argentina to collecting numerous club trophies and individual awards, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has established himself among football’s greatest players. Now, the Argentine superstar is turning his attention to the next generation, identifying ten young talents who could help shape the future of the game.
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 aims to highlight emerging footballers from different countries, drawing attention to their potential and the possibilities that lie ahead as they develop their careers.
Among those selected is Tomás Aranda, a young playmaker at Argentine club Boca Juniors. His technical ability and creative approach have attracted attention, making him a particularly interesting inclusion for supporters of Argentine football.
Aranda has also caught the eye of Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni. The youngster was included in the squad for a pre-World Cup friendly tour, reflecting the attention surrounding his development. However, he is currently recovering from a fractured fibula in his right leg and undergoing rehabilitation.
The injury has temporarily interrupted his progress on the pitch. Recognition from Messi could provide encouragement as he works towards a return, although his future prospects will ultimately depend on his recovery, performances and ability to establish himself consistently in competitive football.
The selection is not limited to Argentine talent. Turkish footballer Can Uzun, who plays for German club Eintracht Frankfurt, has also earned a place on the list. Mexican prospect Gilberto Mora, who represents Tijuana, is another notable inclusion, alongside England’s Max Dowman, a young player associated with Arsenal.
Mora has attracted reported interest from prominent European clubs, with Real Madrid and Barcelona among the sides mentioned in media coverage. However, reported interest should not be confused with a confirmed transfer. For a young player, continued development and consistent performances remain crucial to securing opportunities at the highest level.
The list also features Xavier Gozo of the United States, Jesús Rodríguez of Spain and Kees Smit of the Netherlands. Their inclusion reflects the international scope of the campaign, which brings together promising players from different footballing backgrounds rather than focusing on a single league or national team.
One of the campaign’s notable features is its recognition of women’s football. Three emerging female players have been included: Chloe Saruwi of England, Giovanna Waksman of Brazil and Lotta Wrede of Germany.
Their presence gives the initiative a broader reach, acknowledging that the next generation of footballing talent is developing across both the men’s and women’s games. By highlighting young female players alongside their male counterparts, the campaign also draws attention to the range of talent emerging across international football.
Messi’s Ten Selected 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 recognised through a campaign associated with Messi could offer valuable exposure to players who are still building their reputations. His experience at the highest level of football gives the selection considerable visibility, while the diversity of the list highlights the global nature of the sport’s emerging talent.
Nevertheless, early promise does not automatically translate into long-term success. Young footballers must maintain their fitness, adapt to increasingly demanding competition and demonstrate consistency over several seasons. Injuries, competition for places and the pressure of professional football can all influence the course of a career.
For Aranda, recovering from injury will be an immediate priority. For the other players, the challenge will be to turn their potential into sustained performances for their clubs and, where opportunities arise, their national teams.
Messi’s choices offer a glimpse of the emerging talents attracting attention around the world. Whether any of the ten eventually becomes one of football’s defining stars remains to be seen, but their inclusion has placed them among the young players worth watching as the sport enters its next chapter.
