The list below details the 10 current top soccer prospects, for the 2023-24 season, and their rookie card to look out for.
For those who want a quick answer, the best young soccer prospect for the 2023-24 season is Jude Bellingham; His rookie soccer card is his 2020 Topps Now Bundesliga (#4) card.
To make the list, the player must be aged under-23 before the season, so players like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland aren’t on the list, although some will still consider them to be ‘young’.
Table of Contents
The Top 10 Under-23 Soccer Prospects for The 2023-24 Season
10. Eduardo Camavinga
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Real Madrid
D.O.B: 11/10/2002
Eduardo Camavinga was highly sought-after before his eventual move to Real Madrid in 2021, as part of their transition into a younger midfield, after becoming the youngest ever (16-years-old) professional for Rennes, at that time. Despite having to compete for playing time with some of the world’s best and most established players, Camavinga has become a big part of Madrid’s team in his two seasons with them, and goes into the 2023-24 season as one of soccer’s best young players.
Rookie Card:
2019-20 Panini Foot Sticker Eduardo Camavinga #424
9. Jamal Musiala
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Bayern Munich
D.O.B: 02/26/2003
Jamal Musiala moved to Bayern Munich at just 16-years-old, and has since established himself as one of their key players, as well as one of soccer’s best young talents. The German international can play in multiple positions, and is known for his dribbling ability. After four successful years, Musiala is going into his fifth season with Munich, despite being just 20-years-old.
Rookie Card:
2020 Topps Now Bundesliga Jamal Musiala #6
8. Dominik Szoboszlai
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Liverpool
D.O.B: 10/25/2000
Dominik Szoboszlai has been on the radar of many soccer fans for a while now, and he’s got his big move ahead of the 2023-24 soccer season, following his transfer to Liverpool from RB Leipzig for $76.5m. Liverpool’s midfield needed improving – The versatile, and technical Hungarian midfielder has a lot of talent, and is one to keep an eye on in the new season with his new team.
Rookie Card:
2019-20 Panini Fussball Bundesliga Sticker Dominik Szoboszlai #24
7. William Saliba
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Arsenal
D.O.B: 03/24/2001
William Saliba was key to Arsenal’s improvement in an impressive 2022-23 season, and the French defender is still so young, despite being in professional soccer since 2018. The 2023-24 season will be Saliba’s second playing for Arsenal, and the technical center-back has room to develop even further, although he’s already a top talent.
Rookie Card:
2019-20 Panini Foot Sticker William Saliba #442
6. Rasmus Hojlund
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Manchester United
D.O.B: 02/04/2003
Goal-scoring strikers are hard to come-by, which is why Manchester United have paid $91.5m for Ramus Hojlund ahead of the 2023-24 season. United needed a striker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, so the young talent will play a big role for them. Hojlund has drawn comparison to Erling Haaland from some, and not just because he’s a big Scandinavian forward, but also because of his style of play, with pace, power and a good-finish – He’s got a lot to do to get to Haaland’s level, but at 20-years-old, he’s a big talent with a lot of potential.
Rookie Card:
2022-23 Panini Calciatori Sticker Rasmus Hojlund #28
5. Gabriel Martinelli
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Arsenal
D.O.B: 06/18/2001
Gabriel Martinelli joined Arsenal at a very young age, moving from South America to England, in 2019, so it comes as no surprise that it’s taken him a few years to settle – However, the Brazilian winger goes into the 2023-24 season on the back of an impressive 2022-23 season in the Premier League, where he scored 15 goals. At 22, he’s a long way from his peak, but already a big part of this exciting young Arsenal team.
Rookie Card:
2019-20 Panini Adrenalyn XL Premier League Gabriel Martinelli #15
4. Pedri
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Barcelona
D.O.B: 11/25/2002
It’s crazy to think that Pedri goes into the 2023-24 season at still just 20-years-old, considering he’s been playing professional soccer since 2019, where he started with Las Palmas. Now going into his fourth season with Barcelona, he’s established himself as one of their best players, and part of the new generation, following Lionel Messi’s era. Not many players have four full seasons of experience at his age, plus a European Golden Boy award, but it’s testament to the Spanish midfielder’s talent.
Rookie Card:
2020-21 Panini Liga Megacracks Pedri #430
3. Josko Gvardiol
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Manchester City
D.O.B: 01/23/2002
The 2023-24 season will be Josko Gvardiol’s first with Manchester City, after his $97.5m from RB Leipzig. The young, and powerful Croatian center-back is one of soccer’s brightest young talents, with his mix of technical ability and physical presence. His development should continue under Pep Guardiola this season.
Rookie Card:
2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League Summer Signings Josko Gvardiol
2. Bukayo Saka
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Arsenal
D.O.B: 09/05/2001
Going into the 2023-24 season at just 21-years-old, Bukayo Saka has established himself as Arsenal’s most important player, and one of the England national team’s best young talents. The 2022-23 PFA Young Player of the Year award winner played a big part in Arsenal’s Premier League title charge last season, where they eventually narrowly missed out, but the exciting winger is far from his peak.
Rookie Card:
2019 Panini Tabloid Premier League Sticker Bukayo Saka #64
1. Jude Bellingham
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Real Madrid
D.O.B: 06/29/2003
Jude Bellingham is the living definition of generational talent. The young English midfielder goes into the 2023-24 season with Real Madrid, following his $145m move from Borussia Dortmund, where he spent a few very successful years developing. Bellingham’s pace and power, plus his versatility as a box-to-box midfielder that can both defend and score goals, makes him a top asset to Madrid. He plays like a seasoned veteran, despite being just 20-years-old, and on-track to be a future Ballon d’Or winner.
Rookie Card:
2020 Topps Now Bundesliga Jude Bellingham #4
Honorable Mentions
Arda Guler
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Real Madrid
D.O.B: 02/25/2005
Rookie Card:
2021-22 Mythos Super Lig Arda Guler
Xavi Simmons
Club For The 2023-24 Season: RB Leipzig
D.O.B: 04/21/2003
Rookie Card:
2020-21 Topps Merlin UEFA Champions League Xavi Simmons #87
Alejandro Garnacho
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Manchester United
D.O.B: 07/01/2004
Rookie Card:
2022-23 Topps Now UEFA Europa League Alejandro Garnacho #4
Rodrygo
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Real Madrid
D.O.B: 01/09/2001
Rookie Card:
2019-20 Panini Chronicles Contenders Rookie Ticket Rodrygo #RT7
Enzo Fernandez
Club For The 2023-24 Season: Chelsea
D.O.B: 01/17/2001
Rookie Card:
2022-23 Donruss Soccer Enzo Fernandez #66