Top 5 breakout football stars in 2025
Football is the most-loved sport in the world, and every year new talent finds its way in both club and international football. While some players rise through the ranks from the academy to the senior team, others move clubs through transfers to make a name for themselves.
In modern-day football, it’s not a surprise to see young talent being given a chance, as we have seen with the likes of Lionel Messi and Michael Owen in the past and, most recently, with Lamine Yamal — players who have proven themselves at the biggest stages even at a tender age.
In the current year so far, we have seen numerous young players who have impressed pundits and fans all over the globe, wooing them with their trickery, skills, and performances at the top level.
Here, we take a look at five biggest breakout stars of the game this year.
Note: The stats mentioned below have been taken from reliable sources such as Transfermarkt, FBref, and FootyStats.
5. Joan García | FC Barcelona and Spain
The 24-year-old Spanish goalkeeper was one of the most sought-after players in this year’s summer transfer window. With a lot of big clubs interested in him, García ultimately decided on a move to Catalan heavyweights Barcelona.
The Espanyol academy product rose through the ranks and joined the senior Espanyol outfit in 2021 before becoming a first-choice keeper in 2024. In the 2024/25 season, even though Espanyol conceded 46 goals in LaLiga, García performed exceedingly well, and without his heroics things could have been much worse for the Periquitos.
Last season, García kept eight clean sheets and saved a total of 144 shots, which was the most by a goalkeeper in the Spanish top flight. He maintained a save percentage of 73.85% with 3.79 saves per 90 minutes. He has also started the 2025/26 season well for the Blaugrana, with a save percentage of 83.3% in the six league games he has played thus far.
García is an exceptional shot-stopper and is also adept in defending from crosses. Given that the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City were also interested in his services aside from Barça, it is evident how much he is rated both by virtue of his recent performances as well as his potential.
4. Dean Huijsen | Real Madrid CF and Spain
Dean Huijsen joined Premier League club Bournemouth from Italian side Juventus ahead of the 2024/25 season. The 6’5″ tall, 20-year-old centre-back proved to be a revelation for the Cherries in the single season he played at the Vitality Stadium.
In addition to his great recovery pace and tackling, it’s Huijsen’s on-the-ball ability that struck everyone the most. He can thread through passes and also launch long balls up the pitch for the forwards to make runs behind the opposition defence, showcasing his deep-lying playmaking skills.
Due to his height, Huijsen is also a massive threat in the penalty box during set pieces. He registered three goals and two assists for Bournemouth in 32 league appearances last season. He also earned a call-up to the Spanish national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, making two appearances.
Based on his top-class performances, top European clubs like Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Chelsea came calling for his signature this summer. Ultimately, Los Blancos secured his services for £50 million.
Already a regular in the Real Madrid back line, Huijsen is definitely going to be one of the top defenders in the world in the coming years. He is a modern-day centre-back who is not only calm and composed in defence but also has the ability to start an attack with one pass.
3. Nico Paz | Como 1907 and Argentina
Argentine attacking midfielder Nico Paz has been another breakout star of 2025 thanks to his performances for Serie A side Como, whom he joined last year.
Nico Paz joined the Real Madrid academy, La Fábrica, in 2016. It was in 2023/24 season when he made his debut for the senior team. However, he hardly got any playing time in the Spanish capital and soon moved to Italy for regular playing minutes.
The move to Serie A proved to be a blessing in disguise for the 21-year-old, who has quickly blossomed into a top playmaker and goalscorer in the Italian top flight. Since January of this year, he has registered three goals and five assists in 18 appearances, having ended last season with six goals and nine assists in 35 league appearances.
Paz has started the 2025/26 season in even better fashion, with three goals and assists each to his name in six league games already. The newly capped Argentine international is a versatile player, boasting exceptional passing and dribbling skills as well as the ability to score from distance. If this season ends the way it has started for him, it is hard to see Paz miss out on Argentina’s squad for their World Cup defence next summer, with a big-money move also already on the cards.
2. Estêvão Willian | Chelsea FC and Brazil
Brazilian wonderkid Estêvão has been the talk of the town since joining Premier League giants Chelsea this summer. Estêvão previously played for Brasileirão outfit Palmeiras, and even played for them against Chelsea at the Club World Cup before his summer move.
The 18-year-old winger is an exceptional talent, boasting pace, dribbling skills, and close control. He also has the awareness to move into good positions in the box to finish chances.
It was his performances for Palmeiras last year in particular that drew the attention of the world to his ability. Estêvão scored 13 goals and bagged nine assists in 31 appearances for the Alviverde. This year, he provided three assists in 11 games, while his performances in the 2025 CONMEBOL Libertadores were also noteworthy as he produced four goals and an assist in five games, putting his team top of the table in their group before the move to London.
Chelsea surely have a superstar on their hands, and Estêvão is already looking like a massive threat capable of distressing any opposition on his day. Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti will also be watching him with a lot of interest throughout the season, as Estêvão can provide the X factor and unpredictability that the Brazilian forward line has been missing for many years.
1. Désiré Doué | Paris Saint-Germain FC and France
Désiré Doué is arguably the story of the year after an extraordinary breakthrough season with French giants Paris Saint-Germain, whom he joined from Rennes ahead of the 2024/25 season for €50 million.
The 20-year-old French winger can play in multiple positions and possesses good pace as well as exceptional dribbling and passing skills. He is also not afraid to shoot from distance and is adept at converting his chances in the box.
Since the beginning of the year, Doué has been superb in attack, producing five goals and five assists in 18 league appearances to help PSG win the Ligue 1 title. He was also instrumental in Les Parisiens winning the Coupe de France, scoring four goals and providing four assists in six games. He was consistent in the Champions League as well, scoring four goals and bagging four assists in 11 games, which included a memorable brace in the final against Inter Milan that helped PSG finally reach the European summit.
Doué’s talent is undeniable, and at this rate it’s unlikely Didier Deschamps will leave him out of France’s World Cup squad next summer, as the youngster would provide great attacking depth on the wings and even in the centre of the pitch.
