At MARCA we also have our ‘bells’. Hence, to say goodbye to 2024, we wanted to select eleven young talents who have a lot to say in 2025.
Don’t look for Wirtz, Palmer, Sesko, Zaïre-Emery, Rico Lewis, Pavlovic… We wanted to go a little further and look for lesser-known talents. Don’t expect players from the Spanish League either. We have focused on foreign championships. Last requirement: players born from January 1, 2004 onwards. That is, they have not yet turned 21 years old.
GUILLAUME RESTES (TOULOUSE)
Date and place of birth: Toulouse, 3-11-2005. Position: Goalkeeper. International: France sub 21.
Guillaume Restes
Quite a veteran. At 19 years old he has already accumulated 58 games! with Toulouse. “He reminds me of Barthez. It’s so calm,” Henry says. Restes stands out for his footwork and his agility under the sticks.
BRAND Profile: Guillaume Restes, the youngest ‘keeper’ in Europe: “He reminds me of Barthez”
MARTIM FERNANDES (PORTO)
Date and place of birth: Valongo, 18-1-2006. Position: Right back. International: Portugal sub 19.
Martim Fernandes
He made his League debut with Porto on Villas-Boas’s first day as president. This season he has five assists in 14 games. Very complete side. He is combative, offensive, tough and daring.
BRAND Profile: Martim Fernandes, the ‘boy of change’ of Villas-Boas in Porto
LUKA VUSKOVIC (WESTERLO)
Date and place of birth: Split, 24-2-2007. Position: Central defense. International: Croatia sub 21.
Luka Vuskovic
At 17 years old, he follows in Gvardiol’s footsteps: he is the defender who has scored the most goals (6) this season in Europe. Above – he is 1.93 – he is a titan and he likes to go out playing. He belongs to Tottenham.
BRAND Profile: Luka Vuskovic, the ‘new’ Gvardiol is here: “He has the ability to play for a big team like Real Madrid”
DEAN HUIJSEN (BOURNEMOUTH)
Date and place of birth: Amsterdam, 4-14-2005. Position: Central defense. International: Spain sub 21.
Dean Huijsen
The elegance of a playmaker hidden in the body of a tall central defender (1.92 m)… who is nevertheless forceful and a tall order. The central defender of the future speaks Spanish.
BRAND Profile: Dean Huijsen: Iraola molds the central defender of the Spain of the future
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (ARSENAL)
Date and place of birth: Islington, 26-9-2006. Position: Left back. International: England under 19.
Lewis-Skelly
Wilshere molded him and Arteta polishes him. Converted to ‘back’, he has earned a place thanks to his overwhelming personality with the ball. “They designed it in a lab,” Rice said.
BRAND Profile: Lewis-Skelly, Wilshere’s ‘invention’ patented by Arteta: “It looks like it was designed in a laboratory!”
TOM BISCHOF (HOFFENHEIM)
Date and place of birth: Aschaffenburg, 6-28-2005. Position: Midfielder. International: Germany sub 20.
Tom Bischoff
He bears a striking resemblance to Kroos when it comes to running, orienting himself and protecting the ball. He has also moved his position from midfielder to pivot. Contract ends in June.
BRAND Profile: Tom Bischof, Kroos’s apprentice who is free and ‘smells’ of Bayern
HUGO LARSSON (EINTRACHT FRANKFURT)
Date and place of birth: Ystad, 6-27-2004. Position: Midfielder. International: Sweden (8 caps / 0 goals and 0 assists)
Hugo Larsson
He was born in Sweden, but he is the definition of the prototype of the German midfielder who shines in the Bundesliga. Constant back and forth, intensity per flag… and a powerful finisher from the second line.
BRAND Profile: This is how Hugo Larsson plays, the midfielder who is placed in Real Madrid’s orbit from Germany
NICO PAZ (AS)
Date and place of birth: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 8-9-2004. Position: Midfielder. International: Argentina (1 cap / 0 goals and 1 assist)
Nico Paz
The new ‘swan’ of ‘Calcio’ that was raised in La Fábrica. Imaginative in small spaces, powerful in driving… and a constant generator of chances that has already left its mark on the Albiceleste.
BRAND Profile: Nico Paz, the ‘diamond’ that Fàbregas polishes in Como… and whom Messi blesses in Argentina: “He has an impressive head”
ESTEVAO WILLIAN (PALMEIRAS)
Date and place of birth: Franca, 4-24-2007. Position: Winger/back. International: Brazil (4 caps / 0 goals and 0 assists)
Estevao Willian
‘Messinho’, as he is nicknamed, is now ‘O Rei’. He finished the Brasileirao as the third highest scorer (13 goals) and second best assist (9). Chelsea has paid 34 million, plus 27 in variables, for him.
Estevão proved to be one of the great promises of Brazilian football
BRAND Profile: Estevao Willian: “He is the greatest talent that has emerged in Brazil since Neymar”
SANTIAGO CASTRO (BOLOGNA)
Date and place of birth: San Martín, 9-18-2004. Position: Forward. International: Argentina sub 23.
Santi Castro
The ‘new Lautaro’ – they bear a reasonable resemblance – has filled the void left by Zirkzee. Signed from Vélez for 13 kilos, he has five goals and six assists in 1,496 minutes. He has a great shot.
BRAND Profile: Santiago Castro, the ‘new Lautaro’ who makes Bologna dream: “He inspires me and we are alike”
GEOVANY QUENDA (SPORTING CP)
Date and place of birth: Bissau, 4-30-2007. Position: Winger/back. International: Portugal sub 21.
Geovany Quenda
“He was embarrassed to talk to me,” Cristiano said when ‘Bob’ took him to Portugal. But, on the pitch, he is shameless. Change of pace, vision… and excellent decision making.
BRAND Profile: Geovany Quenda, the ‘menino’ who can break a Futre record from 41 years ago
