Everything you need to know about the celebrated award recognizing the brightest football prospects
Who will be the next global sensation on the pitch? Where might the next Lionel Messi emerge from? Will another player like Cristiano Ronaldo ever arrive? These questions captivate fans across the football world.
Young talents, nicknamed Wonderkids, spark curiosity and excitement among supporters, as observers imagine how a precocious teen’s career could unfold. That is the essence of NXGN.
GOAL brings a complete overview of this prestigious honor, its past winners, and more insight into what makes NXGN a benchmark for youth talent in the sport.
What is NXGN?
NXGN catalogs the best players aged 19 and under for a given season. Since its inception in 2016, the men’s edition has highlighted the top 50 prospects, with the pole position holder crowned as the winner from 2016 through 2022. The Women’s Edition began in 2020 and has expanded from a list of 10 players to 25 by 2023.
How is the NXGN grid determined?
Selections for NXGN are curated by a global network of soccer experts, led by NXGN’s youth specialists who monitor the sport’s rising stars throughout the year, evaluating potential, performance, and consistency.
What is NXGN Nine?
In 2023 the NXGN structure shifted from a single winner per list to a group honor known as the NXGN Nine. These nine players are viewed as elite talents with the potential to develop into world‑class footballers. Each member receives a commemorative award from NXGN in recognition of their exceptional trajectory.
Past NXGN winners
The male and female NXGN winners for 2016 are listed below for context and comparison:
The inaugural NXGN crown in 2016 went to Youri Tielemans, who was with Anderlecht at the time, ahead of Breel Embolo and Gianluigi Donnarumma. 2017 saw Donnarumma triumph, with Kylian Mbappé and Christian Pulisic finishing second and third respectively.
Justin Kluivert claimed the 2018 NXGN title, with Donnarumma again in the runner-up spot and Vinicius Jr in third. In 2019, Jadon Sancho took the award, while Vinicius Jr and Callum Hudson-Odoi followed on the podium.
The full list of male NXGN winners is accessible in the accompanying overview presented above.
NXGN female winners
The first NXGN Women’s Award in 2020 went to Lena Oberdorf, with Jordyn Huitema and Claudia Pina among the early runners-up. The following year, Hanna Bennison claimed the title, and in 2022 the honor went to Melchie Dumornay, showcasing the growing depth of talent in the women’s game.
Notes and attributions: NXGN is a product of ongoing scouting and expert analysis conducted by GOAL across seasons, with every edition documenting the evolving landscape of youth football.