10 Best Bundesliga Young Players to Watch in 2026
- Think Football Ideas
- 60 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The Bundesliga consistently features its fair share of surprises and breakthroughs. It is not an average league, and when young players burst onto the scene, they often do so with speed, skill, and an eye for goal that swiftly attracts attention from across Europe.
With clubs like Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, and Eintracht Frankfurt consistently producing players who combine technical ability with physical readiness, Germany’s top flight continues to shape the next generation.
The 2025–26 season is no different, as new names are emerging and translating promise into senior-level impact.
Here Are The 10 Best Bundesliga Young Players to Watch in 2026
10. Castello Lukeba (22, RB Leipzig, Defender)
Tracing back from his early days at Saint-Genis-Laval before Lyon brought him into their academy, Castello Lukeba has moved into the conversation among Europe’s leading young defenders.
After progressing through Lyon’s youth system, he made his professional debut in 2021 and scored his first senior goal against Metz. In August 2023, RB Leipzig signed him for €34 million to fill the gap left by Josko Gvardiol.
Lukeba rapidly established himself as a central figure on Leipzig’s left side of defence, scoring his first Bundesliga goal against Bayern Munich and demonstrating his importance to a youthful squad. His impact was underlined when Leipzig struggled in his absence.
9. Ibrahim Maza (19, Leverkusen, Attacking Midfielder)
They say it is unusual to see a teenager dictate the rhythm of a game with the poise of a seasoned professional, but Ibrahim Maza has managed it at 19. Arriving at Bayer Leverkusen in 2025, he quickly adapted to multiple roles, impressing as a central playmaker and on the wing.
His week in November epitomised his talent - man of the match in a Champions League win over Benfica, followed by a two-goal display in a 6–0 rout of Heidenheim, as he operated deeper than usual.
A product of Hertha BSC’s academy, Maza blends intelligence, versatility, and finishing instinct. His skills have prompted comparisons to established number 10s, while forging his own identity as one of Germany's most exciting young talents.
8. Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg, 18 Defender)
There are times you observe a young defender but rarely witness one combining physical dominance, tactical awareness, and composure at 18.
Luka Vuskovic signed for Spurs in September 2025 but went on loan to gain regular minutes, influencing games from the outset at Hamburger SV in their first season back in the Bundesliga.
The Croatian centre-back ranks among the league leaders in aerial duels with 59 victories and is highly ranked in ground duels with 107.
He became the first player in five years across Europe’s top five leagues to win 18 aerial duels in a match, earning consecutive Bundesliga Rookie of the Month awards. A Hajduk Split academy graduate, Vuskovic is positioning himself as one of Europe’s most complete young defenders.
7. Assan Ouedraogo (RB Leipzig, 19, Midfielder)
Few teenagers in European football combine size, skill, and composure like Assan Ouédraogo. Standing at 6ft 3in, the central midfielder moved from Schalke to RB Leipzig in 2024 for €10 million, rejecting Bayern to focus on development.
Ouédraogo has already contributed two goals and four assists this season, building on a decorated youth career that included Germany’s U17 European Championship, where he scored the decisive penalty.
He also scored for Germany U21 and opened his Leipzig account with a goal in a 3–1 victory over Köln.
6. Nathaniel Brown (22, Frankfurt, Left-Back)
Talk about energy up and down the left flank, and Nathaniel Brown delivers with consistency. The 22-year-old left-back has been instrumental in Eintracht Frankfurt’s rise, contributing three goals and seven assists from his wing-back role.
Brown combines pace, vision, and defensive solidity, making him a threat in attack while remaining reliable at the back.
He is a product of Nürnberg’s youth system, and didn't take long to adapt to the Bundesliga after joining Frankfurt in 2024. He has already earned his first senior call-up for Germany, debuting in a 4–0 win over Luxembourg.
5. Antonio Nusa (20, RB Leipzig, Winger)
Antonio Nusa has been a standout for those following young talent, attracting attention from Premier League clubs with his explosive performances at RB Leipzig.
The Norwegian winger made history at 17, becoming the second youngest player to score in the Champions League when he netted on his debut for Club Brugge against Porto.
Since moving to Leipzig in 2024, he scored on his Bundesliga debut and has turned heads with his speed, technical skill, and ability to play on either wing. He is well-versed in creating havoc in the final third and has also scored for Norway’s senior team.
4. Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig, 19, Winger)
Explosive speed and flair define Yan Diomande’s rise at RB Leipzig. After professional stints in the United States and Spain, he arrived in Leipzig in 2025 for €20 million and quickly stood out.
He opened his Bundesliga account against Augsburg, scored in the DFB-Pokal, and completed a hat-trick versus Eintracht Frankfurt, becoming the second youngest player in Bundesliga history to achieve the feat.
His performances have drawn interest from top clubs across Europe, positioning the Ivory Coast winger as a star to watch for the future.
3. Said El Mala (Cologne, 19, Winger)
Standing out in Cologne’s promotion campaign, Said El Mala has proven to be a unique talent on the wing. At 6ft 2in, he blends height, agility, and finishing ability, producing four goals and an assist in ten appearances.
His progression from youth clubs through Viktoria Köln and into the Bundesliga earned him a senior national team call-up. El Mala’s pace, technical ability, and tactical intelligence make him a player with the potential to become one of Germany’s most exciting young wingers.
2. Hugo Larsson (Frankfurt, 21, Midfielder)
When you’re 6ft as a midfielder, presence and authority on the pitch come naturally, and Hugo Larsson embodies both for Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Swedish international combines athleticism, technical skill, and intelligence to dominate central areas, influencing both attack and defence. After a standout spell at Malmö FF, where he earned the Young Player of the Year award, Larsson joined Frankfurt in 2023 for a record Swedish transfer fee.
In a short order, he adapted to the Bundesliga, scoring against Heidenheim and Bayern Munich, while maintaining the attention of clubs such as Liverpool.
1. Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich, 17, Attacking Midfielder)
Emerging from Bayern Munich’s academy, Lennart Karl has rapidly made headlines with his scoring ability and vision. This is a player who recorded 17 goals and 8 assists in nine appearances during his U17 season.
On 22 October 2025, he became Bayern’s youngest Champions League scorer in a 4–0 win over Club Brugge at 17 years and 242 days, and he recently became the youngest player to score in three consecutive Champions League appearances following strikes against Club Brugge, Arsenal, and Sporting Lisbon.
A left-footed number 10, Karl combines creativity, intelligence, and precise finishing with both feet, while also posing a threat in the air.
UEFA named him Player of the Match against Sporting Lisbon, reflecting his early influence at European level. With three goals in his first two Germany U21 appearances and growing calls for a World Cup call-up, Karl is firmly establishing himself as one of Germany’s brightest attacking talents in 2026.