Andrey Santos, Liam Delap, Luciano Rodriguez and Savinho feature in our selection of players who have hit new heights since the last U-20 World Cup.
FIFA spotlights ten stars from the last edition of the U-20 World Cup
Several players have gone on to showcase their skills at senior level for club and country
The next U-20 World Cup kicks off in Chile on 27 September
Diego Maradona, Luis Figo, Xavi, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba and Erling Haaland are just a few of the star names who have burst on to the global scene at FIFA U-20 World Cup™.
The last tournament, held in Argentina two years ago and won by Uruguay, is already adding more names to that legacy. As the countdown begins for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ – which will take place from 27 September to 19 October – FIFA picks out ten players from the 2023 tournament who are already making waves in senior football.
Position: Defender Age: 21 Club: Manchester City
Since playing at the U-20 World Cup, Khusanov has become one of the most prized centre-backs in world football. After moving from Energetik-BGU Minsk in Belarus to French side Lens, he was snapped up by English giants Manchester City. Even more impressively for one so young, he was instrumental in Uzbekistan’s historic qualification for their first-ever FIFA World Cup™.
Position: Midfielder Age: 21 Club: Chelsea
Signed by Chelsea at just 18 years of age, Santos had just had an excellent 2024/25 season on loan in France with Strasbourg. He scored 11 goals in 34 appearances, despite primarily focusing on defensive duties. As a reward, he has been recalled to Brazil’s senior squad and WAS brought back into the fold at Chelsea, where he featured in their triumphant FIFA Club World Cup™ campaign.
Position: 21 Age: Midfielder Club: Real Salt Lake City
Two years after wearing the No10 shirt for USA's U-20 team, Luna has made his name for the senior national team. In the recently concluded Gold Cup, he started five of their six matches. He scored in the quarter-finals, and then struck twice in the 2-1 semi-final win over Guatemala to lead the hosts to the final, where they were edged out by Mexico.
Position: Defender Age: 20 Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Takai will have a career-defining opportunity this season after making the move from Kawasaki Frontale to Tottenham Hotspur. The defender, who has been promoted to Japan's senior national team squad, gained wide acclaim for his performance against Cristiano Ronaldo in an AFC Champions League clash with Al Nassr in April.
Position: Forward Age: 22 Club: Chelsea
A product of the Manchester City academy, Delap shone during last season’s Premier League campaign with relegated Ipswich Town, catching the eye of Chelsea and earning himself a big-money move to the London club. He made his debut for the Blues against LAFC at the Club World Cup, and later netted his first Chelsea goal in a 3-0 group-stage win over Espérance.
Position: Forward Age: 22 Club: Bahia
Scorer of the winning goal in the last U-20 World Cup final, Rodriguez opted to stay in South America, moving from Montevideo-based Liverpool to Bahia in Brazil’s top flight. Though not yet a starter for Uruguay’s senior side, he has made three senior appearances for his country.
Position: Forward Age: 22 Club: Al Hilal
Winner of the Silver Boot at Argentina 2023, the Santos youth product boasts an average of almost 0.7 goals per game for Al Hilal (29 goals in 43 matches) since joining them last September. At the recent inaugural edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, he scored four times – two of them in the historic win over Manchester City – and finished among the tournament’s top scorers.
Position: Forward Age: 20 Club: Inter Milan
The towering striker made the most of his loan spell in Spezia in 2024/25, finishing as the Italian Serie B’s top scorer with 17 goals. Back at Inter Milan, he seized his opportunity at the Club World Cup, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Position: Forward Age: 21 Club: Manchester City
One of the positives in what was a challenging season for Manchester City, Savinho established himself as a starter during his debut Premier League campaign in 2024/25. His performances also earned him regular call-ups to the Brazilian national team.
Position: Midfielder Age: 20 Club: Inter Milan
In Europe since the age of 15, Carboni’s rise was halted last season by a serious knee injury that kept him sidelined for eight months. He made his footballing return at the Club World Cup and, if he regains full fitness quickly, is expected to be in Argentina’s plans for the FIFA World Cup 26™, having been called up previously prior to his injury.
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