Lionel Messi selected Boca Juniors left-footed midfielder Tomás Aranda among ten global football prospects projected to define the sport’s future, as part of an Adidas promotional campaign titled “Ten chapters that rewrite the future of the game.” The selection, published across international sports reports in October 2026, highlights emerging talents across men’s and women’s professional leagues worldwide.
Tomás Aranda Leads Argentine Representation in Global Prospect List
Lionel Messi spotlighted seventeen-year-old Tomás Aranda as the primary Argentine representative in a curated list of ten young footballers poised for elite success, according to reports from TN and Radio Mitre. Born in 2007, the Boca Juniors youth product earned recognition for his close ball control, vision in the final third, and long-range shooting ability. noted that Aranda features in the international lineup despite currently managing a recovery from injury, keeping his status among South America’s most closely watched academy talents.
Global Talents from Europe and the Americas
The selection spans multiple continents and features players already making impacts in top-tier professional leagues. and Diario El Norte detailed several European and North American standouts included alongside Aranda. Can Uzun, an 18-year-old attacking midfielder for Eintracht Frankfurt, and 16-year-old Club Tijuana playmaker Gilberto Mora both featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Mora establishing himself as a regular starter for the Mexico national team while Uzun alternates minutes in Germany.
English football is represented by 16-year-old Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman, who holds the record as the youngest player to debut in the Premier League. The lineup also features 17-year-old Real Salt Lake forward Zavier Gozo, known for his physical acceleration and scoring ability, alongside 18-year-old Real Betis winger Jesús Rodríguez and 18-year-old AZ Alkmaar central midfielder Kees Smit.
Prominent Standouts in the Women’s Game
The Adidas initiative extends across both men’s and women’s divisions, incorporating three prominent female prospects from different football federations. outlined the inclusion of Danish forward Chloe Sarwie of FC Nordsjælland, noted for her penalty-box movement and explosive acceleration. Brazilian playmaker Giovanna Waksman of Santos represents South American women’s football at 17 years of age, recognized for her dribbling skills and set-piece capability. German defender and defensive midfielder Lotta Wrede of Hamburger SV completes the trio, cited for her physical strength and leadership in the backline.
Comparing Perspectives on the Selection Criteria
While publications such as TN emphasized the technical profiles of the young athletes—focusing on Aranda’s left-footed distribution and close control—Radio Mitre and Yahoo Sports framed the release within the commercial scope of the Adidas campaign. The initiative groups established academy professionals alongside senior international tournament participants, creating a cross-generational snapshot of players expected to anchor their respective national teams and clubs through the next decade.
