While we headed into the unknown in 2021, with the majority of the world still in lockdown and stadiums still empty, we’re blessed to see football back up to it’s best – with an exciting array of new players locked and loaded, ready to take over on the world stage, once again.

In the words of Paul Pogba: “Nu styy! Nu opportunities!”

With so many young players currently setting the levels and making the headlines on a regular basis, ballers born after the millennium are the ones taking the game to new levels more than ever – and there are plenty more names out there that deserve to be spotlighted alongside your household Haalands and mainstream Mbappés.

From South American starlets, British-Asian ascenders, African giants-in-waiting and future European heavyweights, we’ve compiled a list of 20 young ballers who are deserving of their shine, because you best believe they’re going to take over in 2022.

Picks made by Mayowa Quadri and Jacob Davey.

1. Cole Palmer

Club: Manchester CityAge: 19Position: Forward

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZkDCz4s4JT/

From precocious performances to "Prem soon come", Cole Palmer is the definition of next up. From FA Youth Cup glory to dropping off clinics in the senior competition through to the Champions League proper, in 2022, it’s Cole’s world and we’re just living in it. Blessed with effortless technical ability and an ice cold eye for goal, expect plenty more fearless appearances from this future star this calendar year.

2. Aurélien Tchouameni

Club: AS MonacoAge: 22Position: Central Midfield

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZnNhUqKUIf/

Whoever manages to sign Aurélien Tchouameni wins, basically. Sitting top of the most lists for European clubs chasing a central midfielder this summer, the 22-year-old is the complete CM package. Commanding and creative, Tchouameni is an incredible ball-winner, able to dominate midfield battles by breaking up play and regaining possession for his side.  But he’s so much more than just that. Technically proficient on the ball and able to spray a pass, the Frenchman is currently the most in-form player in Europe's top 5 leagues this season too - according to WhoScored. Whoever secures his signature from AS Monaco gets a player ready-made to become one of the best midfielders in the game for the next decade.

3. Kamaldeen Sulemana

Club: Stade Rennes
Age: 20Position: Winger

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUm9UeatlVg/

When a baller is outperforming Lionel Messi and Neymar on dribbling stats, you know they’re destined to ball out at the top. 20-year-old Ghana and Stade Rennes' winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is due to do exactly that. His YouTube highlight reels - which see him turn plenty of full-backs' legs into jelly - only do him partial justice. His blistering pace and incredible one-one-one ability, slices defences open with ease, naturally creating huge amounts of space every time he gets on the ball. A roof-raiser with a  way, way higher ceiling than your average, watch Kamaldeen rise up in 2022 on his way to becoming Africa’s next world class winger.

4. Hugo Ekiteke

Club: ReimsAge: 19Position: Striker

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZXDXYjL9qM/

Hugo Ekiteke has only been a professional footballer for less than two years – but that’s not stopped him from already hitting 10 goals in Ligue 1 and rejecting a transfer to the Premier League. Born in 2002, Ekiteke has plenty of tek-to-go alongside his ice cold finishing and spritely acceleration, despite standing at 6”2. Blessed with most of the technical and physical attributes to make it, Ekiteke’s also got an ice cold mentality in front of goal for Reims. With Newcastle having already tried to secure his services in January, expect there to be plenty more suitors for his signature should he continue to level up.

5. Noa Lang

Club: Club BruggeAge: 22Position: Winger

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXhSDCdsMMo/

It might be seen as lazy to describe Noa Lang as a Neymar regen, but if you’ve seen the way he runs at defences for Club Brugge, you’d understand why he’s earned that reputation. Perfecting his game in Ajax’s world-renowned academy before becoming a hitman In Bruges, the 22-year-old winger might not be blessed with the same statistical output as the Brazil baller – but in terms of pure tek and 5 star skill ability, he's almost a carbon copy. The flying Dutchman has incredible agility, dominates in one-on-one dribbling and has a steady eye for goal contributions. Best believe there’s much more in store this year.

6. Endrick

Club: PalmeirasAge: 15
Position: Forward

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZKMUH-rHMP/

Year in, year out, there’s always a new name in Brazilian football that is spotlighted with “next up” status. Endrick is the latest baller to assume that mantle. At the tender age of 15, the striker has taken the game by storm by shelling it up for Palmeiras Under-21 side. In an U21 tournament tear up he scored four goals to earn him comparisons to Ronaldo and Romario, and has been linked to Real and Barca since. Just looking at his highlight reel, you can tell Endrick has the type of X Factor that games of football are decided by. And he’ll be deciding plenty of those for the foreseeable future.

7. Ricardo Pepi

Club: FC AugsburgAge: 19Position: Striker

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUxgdRygKvv/

When it comes to the term “fox in the box” Ricardo Pepi takes it to the max. The US teenager has the second highest number of single-season goals (13) in MLS history, and was also the division's youngest player to hit a hat-trick. Having secured a move to The Bundesliga with FC Augsburg, expect the Stateside starlet to take off with more of the same should he be given the opportunity.

8. Julian Alvarez

Club: Manchester City (On loan at River Plate)Age: 22Position: Forward

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZStZp-LRKx/

To cite Josh Kroenke, City fans have every right to “be excited” about Julian Alvarez. Looking every inch like the type of South American street fighter striker build that Tevez, Suarez and Aguero all utilised in The Barclays, Alvarez is also an absolutely devastating finisher. Top scorer in the league last season for River Plate with 18 goals, Alvarez can play – and score – in any position across the forward line. It’s only a matter of time before he starts doing it on stages that will propel his name to worldwide fame with his forte for quite simply banging in goals. 2022 could well be that year his goals make him go global at Manchester City when he links up from July onwards.

9. Jobe Bellingham

Club: Birmingham CityAge: 16Position: Midfielder

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTNMC7tpC8V/

When it comes to expectation in following people’s footsteps, Jobe Bellingham has a fair amount of living up to do. Luckily for him, having an attitude to do exactly that runs in the family. While his brother Jude is due for another serious, establishing year at Dortmund (or elsewhere in the summer), the 16-year-old is due to have his breakthrough year in 2022. Blessed with the same mentality, tenacity and ability as his brother, Jobe is laying down the pathway for more first team minutes at Birmingham City. His first team debut only came in January, but you should expect him to make plenty more before the end of 2021/22 and the start of 2022/23.

10. Fabio Carvalho

Club: FulhamAge: 19Position: Attacking Midfield

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSw2OjHjWf2/

Fabio Carvalho just has one of those names that, on paper alone, you just know is a serious jugador. In real life, he’s arguably the best teenage baller in The Championship this season – having attracted so much interest from Liverpool with his performances that he seems all but destined to join the club in the summer. Reds' fans see a lot of one of their best former ballers in Phillipe Coutinho in Carvalho, and it’s clear to see why. His vision, ability to drop the shoulder, and dynamic dribbling ability are next level – and some of his goals for Fulham look almost identical to the Little Magician’s former goals in red. A key part of Fulham’s title-chasing side, Carvalho’s future looks set to be pushed further up the footballing ladder in 2022.

11. Omari Hutchinson

Club: ArsenalAge: 18Positon: Attacking Midfield

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYmyd__IdIo/

If you’re anything like us writing this, you’ve been waiting for the Hutchinson take over for a hot minute. Omari has been loading for years. From online videos of his skills to linking up with F2, Hutchinson is now on the cusp of making his first team debut. Performances for Arsenal’s U23s in various forward positions have earned him first team bench inclusions but we expect this baller to kick on and get goals for The Gunners sometime soon. His electric dribbling ability, eye for goal and natural creative prowess make him a true breath of fresh air. A real lively baller who will for sure restore the feeling when he gets his opportunity. This is the definition of new gen balling. From our Instagram feed to our tv, right before our eyes.

12. Issa Kaboré

Club: Troyes (On loan from Manchester City)Age: 20Position: Right Back

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUDMXu-M6eY/

Fresh from winning best young player at AFCON. Issa Kaboré is ready to push on. Everyone loves an attacking full-back and Kaboré is that and more. His three assists helped propel Burkina Faso to an AFCON semi-final whilst boosting his stocks in the process. Currently on his second loan spell away from the City franchise, it won’t be a surprise if this baller is integrated into the first team this summer and would even be less of a surprise if he becomes more of a fixture for Ligue 1 side Troyes till the end of the season. Time for this young baller to eat in the Uber eats.

13. Yéremi Pino

Club: VillarealAge: 19Position: Winger

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZb3gQzrdhw/

Lil Pino is going big in 2022. As far as wish-lists for wingers go, he has everything. Flair, low centre of gravity, ability to play on both flanks, dribbling proficiency, technical ability, eye for goal… the list goes on. His attacking package is heavy. It makes sense why the baller recently made his national team debut and has become a mainstay for his club. Already a Europa League winner, Yeremi has exploded this year having become the youngest player in La Liga history to score a first half hat-trick. With a host of European clubs looking on, expect him to keep going to the moon.

14. Pierre Kalulu

Club: AC MilanAge: 21Position: Right Back

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZm_BmvB0Qs/

Pierre Kalulu is a symbol of AC Milan’s future: a core filled with young ballers galore. After arriving from Lyon on a free transfer, the versatile defender has proven his worth… and then some. This season has seen the defender play at both right and left-back alongside centre-back. Not many players can play in multiple defensive positions and do it to a top level. In the process, he has kept free-scoring Roma and plenty of other Serie A strikers quiet when called upon. Also an Olympian, don’t be surprised if you see this baller gain some rings in his career. His contribution will be key to AC Milan’s title pursuit. The sky's the limit this year for Kalulu.

15. Benjamin Šeško

Club: Red Bull SalzburgAge: 18Position: Striker

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZpYMWstGay/

Red Bull Salzburg may be a young team with young talents but their players are known for balling beyond their age. Šeško at the age of 15 has already played 5 champions league games and shown he has an eye for goal domestically. This year will be the growth of the Slovenian forward. With Adeyemi tipped to leave for greater heights, Benjamin will be next in line to carry the Salzburg franchise forward. A complete forward blessed with strength and tek in equal measure, Salzburg’s future star is about to shine bright.

16. Zidane Iqbal

Club: Manchester UnitedAge: 18Position: Midfielder

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXPbwESIUOI/

Zidane has made his first team debut and national debut in very close proximity to each other. A baller who plays with the same grace befitting of his namesake, this year will be pivotal for him. The transition from U18 to U23 football has been made but Iqbal may even go a step further and play more senior football this season. Don’t be surprised if this baller follows the path of many United scholars by going on loan to really learn the game of football. His namesake was a creative mastermind and Iqbal has tapped into the same realm. Despite his desire to get on the ball and make things happen, the 18-year-old has also shown he can play as a conventional centre-midfielder or even out wide with versatility and tenacity in abundance. The new age Zidane stocks are about to boom this year.

17. Amine Gouiri

Club: NiceAge: 22Position: Striker

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVstvCftt5F/

Gouiri’s current trajectory is the dictionary definition of a baller going carpe diem. Many know about the abundance of talents within France and this guy is part of that cohort. A proven goal scorer for his country at all youth levels, his free-scoring form and ability to create for others may make him a part of the illustrious Les Bleus this year. His 10 goals and 7 assists season so far are the bedrock on which Nice are mounting a charge for Champions League football. Only Payet and Mbappé have more goal contributions than him in the league. If you needed any further indication that he was going to take off this year, then that is it. He is balling amongst greats right now.

18. Mohammed Salisu

Club: SouthamptonAge: 22Position: Center Back

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZxn0m2tDWf/

Salisu is becoming one of the most formidable defenders in the Premier League. Southampton is renowned for being a hub for ballers who have made moves to the Premier League from other European leagues. This year may see Salisu become the latest baller – like VVD and Mané before him – to get a major move due to his biblical performances for the Saints. In a world of ball playing centre-backs, Salisu is reminding us of what real defending looks like. If you need the ball cleared and intercepted, or need the opposition tackled and put to rest, this is your man. Still young and under the coaching of a progressive Ralph Hasenhüttl. Southampton's No.22 will only get better in 2022.

19. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens

Club: Borussia Dortmund U19Age: 17Position: Winger

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZmnGF-sRDw/

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is a player who everyone should be keeping an eye out for. Currently balling out for Dortmund’s U-19s, the young winger was once on the books of Manchester City. Simply put, we may be witnessing Sancho Part II live in the flesh. Eight appearances this season have returned seven goals. This comes after a bad ankle ligament injury that kept him out for four months. 2022 is due to be a takeoff year. Expect a first team debut. Expect goals. Expect beautiful football from the next Young Lion due to do bits in the Bundesliga.

20. Gavi

Club: BarcelonaAge: 17Position: Midfielderhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CXo_ltRsXsN/

2022 is due to be a movie for Gavi. It is easy to forget that he has only played 27 senior games for Barcelona, such is the hype attached to his name. In that time, he has played in various positions including attacking mid, central-mid and on the wings. This year is about to be the takeover. People talk about him being the rebirth of Xavi but we may be seeing the evolution. A progressive passer who finds half spaces well, he has an eye for goal whilst the ability to conduct the orchestra. La Masia has delivered again and we get to sit back and enjoy it. Last year saw the breakout of Pedri. This year, it’s Gavi.