The 5 teenage prodigies set to shine at the 2034 Saudi World Cup

The 2034 FIFA World Cup may still be nine years away, but anticipation is already building as the tournament prepares to return to the Middle East.

With Saudi Arabia promising one of the most innovative editions in World Cup history, glimpses of the planned stadiums have already sparked widespread excitement and curiosity.

These futuristic venues will mark a dramatic shift from the arenas we’ve grown used to. But it’s not just the architecture that will feel unfamiliar - so too will the faces on the pitch.

Gone will be the legends who’ve defined the modern game: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski. Even today’s megastars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland will likely be in the twilight of their careers, if not retired altogether depending on injuries.

In their place will be a new generation of players ready to light up the world stage and carve their names into football history. To celebrate the future of the sport, we’ve picked five teenage sensations to keep an eye on as they work toward what could be their crowning moment in 2034.

The only criteria? These prodigies must already be making waves and, most importantly, be under the age of 18.

Geovany Quenda (Portugal) - 17

Born in Guinea-Bissau, Geovany Quenda’s journey began at Benfica, where he spent two years in the academy system before joining Sporting CP in 2019.

It was in Lisbon where his exceptional technical ability, tactical intelligence, and maturity caught the eye, marking him as one of the most highly regarded players at the Cristiano Ronaldo Academy.

In August 2024, at the age of just 17, he became Sporting’s youngest-ever goal-scorer during the Portuguese Super Cup final against Porto. That debut performance earned him a call-up to Portugal’s senior squad for Nations League fixtures. Although he did not feature, he left a strong impression in training, with Portugal manager Roberto Martínez describing him as “a player with magic who can make the difference in the final third.”

Primarily deployed as a winger, he is comfortable on either flank and has even demonstrated his versatility in a wing-back role. His defining traits include relentless dribbling, explosive pace, and a creative spark that sees him consistently unlock opposition defences. His 2.40 chances created per 90 minutes in Portugal’s top-flight place him among the league’s most productive attacking players.

He'll look to replicate that form in the Premier League next season, with Chelsea having already secured his signature in a deal worth up to €52 million.

By 2034, Quenda, just like the other four on this list, will be entering the peak of his career, with nearly a decade of top-level experience behind him.

Talal Haji (Saudi Arabia) - 17

Born in Jeddah and nurtured within Al Ittihad’s academy, Haji has become a symbol of the growing potential within Saudi football.

With a combination of physical prowess, technical quality, and an innate understanding of the game, he is already being heralded as a future star for the national team, particularly with the 2034 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.

Haji’s rise to prominence began in September 2023 when he became the youngest player in Saudi Pro League history, debuting for Al Ittihad just two days after his 16th birthday. Under the guidance of Nuno Espírito Santo, Haji was introduced late in a 2-1 victory over Al Fateh.

International recognition followed swiftly. Roberto Mancini, impressed by Haji’s maturity and potential, called him into the Saudi national team. In January 2024, Haji made history once again, becoming the youngest player to feature in the AFC Asian Cup during Saudi Arabia’s 0-0 draw with Thailand.

His debut campaign for Al Ittihad was marked by a series of impressive performances. Despite limited minutes, he made a significant impact, scoring two goals and providing three assists across nine league appearances. His first goal, a spectacular acrobatic effort against Al Okhdood, cemented his place in the record books as the youngest goalscorer in Saudi Pro League history.

With the 2034 FIFA World Cup set to be hosted in Saudi Arabia, Haji is likely to play a central role in the Green Falcons’ preparations and campaign.

Chido Obi-Martin (Denmark) - 17

The 6’2” forward is already making waves at Manchester United, following his high-profile move from Arsenal in 2024. While United’s track record with signing strikers in recent years has been mixed, Obi-Martin is seen as a generational talent who could rewrite that narrative.

Born in Copenhagen to a Danish mother and Nigerian father, Obi-Martin’s journey has been anything but conventional. His family relocated to London in 2020, where Arsenal quickly secured him for their academy. He made an instant impression, scoring prolifically across age groups. One performance against Liverpool U16s saw him score an astonishing 10 goals in a single game.

For Arsenal’s U18s, he netted 32 goals in just 18 games, regularly outclassing players several years his senior. His exploits earned him a place in the UEFA Team of the Tournament at the U17 European Championships, where he shone for Denmark.

His movement off the ball is exceptional, using his physicality and timing to exploit defensive gaps. Once in front of goal, he exudes a composure beyond his years, favouring clinical, measured finishes over the spectacular.

His work rate and willingness to hold up the ball make him the ideal focal point for a modern attacking trio. As he matures, comparisons to the likes of Erling Haaland and Victor Osimhen feel inevitable.

Estêvão Willian (Brazil) - 17

Brazil has long been a breeding ground for exceptional football talent, and Estêvão Willian is the latest prodigy tipped to follow in the footsteps of legends like Neymar and Ronaldinho.

Nicknamed ‘Messinho’ during his early days at Cruzeiro for his dazzling skills and creative flair, the teenager has carved an impressive path through the youth ranks in Brazil.

After moving to Palmeiras, Estêvão helped his side achieve an array of accolades, including the under-15 and under-17 Campeonato Paulista, the under-17 Brazil Cup, and the under-17 Brazilian Championship Série A.

His transition to senior football was equally remarkable. In December 2023, he became the third-youngest player to debut for Palmeiras, behind only Endrick and Rodrigo Taddei, and marked his first professional season by helping the club secure the Brazilian Série A title.

Estêvão’s rise to prominence reached new heights during the 2024 season when he became the first player under 18 to record 20 goal contributions in a single Série A campaign.

By the end of the season, Estêvão’s exploits earned him the titles of Best Striker and Best Breakthrough Player in the league. He also finished as the third-highest scorer in Série A, netting 13 goals.

Estêvão’s performances haven’t gone unnoticed on the international stage. In 2025, he received his first senior call-up for Brazil’s, joining a forward line featuring global stars like Vinícius Jr., Raphinha, and Rodrygo.

His burgeoning reputation attracted interest from Europe’s elite clubs, with Chelsea securing his signature in a blockbuster €61.5 million transfer. He will join the Premier League side in July 2025, with expectations sky-high for his impact at Stamford Bridge.

Lamine Yamal (Spain) - 17

Readers will already be more than aware of Lamine Yamal, but as he’s still at the tender age of 17, he had to be included in this list. A phenomenon at both Barcelona and Spain, the forward has already captured the global imagination with his extraordinary talent.

While it still may be premature to compare him to Lionel Messi, the parallels are hard to ignore - especially given the anecdote of Messi once cradling Yamal as a baby during a calendar photoshoot.

Making his senior debut for Barcelona at just 15 years old, Yamal quickly became indispensable to the team. By the midpoint of his first full season, he was already the lynchpin of a squad packed with seasoned stars, outshining players with far more experience.

His record-breaking exploits - too many to list fully - have established him as a dominant force in La Liga, where he shares the stage with elite talents like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Jude Bellingham. Many observers already consider him the league's standout performer despite his tender age.

The youngest player ever to represent and score for Spain, he dazzled during Euro 2024, leaving defenders in awe with his fearless attacking play. His long-range strike against France in the semi-finals became an iconic moment of the tournament, and his consistent creativity earned him the Young Player of the Tournament award. Yamal celebrated his 17th birthday the day before Spain lifted the trophy – not a bad way to celebrate.

Talk of individual accolades has already begun, with many tipping Yamal to become the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner. His performances in the early stages of the 2024-25 season have put him firmly in the conversation, and there’s speculation that he could one day rival Messi’s unparalleled tally of eight Golden Balls.