Vinicius Jr. has been a revelation for Real Madrid in the 2021/22 season, producing world-class displays and match-winning moments. Most recently, he was decisive one-on-one against Achraf Hakimi in a Champions League Remontada over PSG, bouncing back from a rough first leg individually and collectively. He then was a massive difference-maker against Mallorca, rising above racist abuse from the crowd to score the opening goal and draw the penalty for the second.
At just 21 years old, Vini is undoubtedly one of the best young players in European football. But where exactly does he rank among the best young players in the continent?
Here is a list of the top 10 players under 25.
10. Chelsea RB Reece James
If you had to ask Real Madrid fans who their dream target at right back is, many of them would say Reece James, who is indeed on the Madrid radar. Of course, James is an entirely unrealistic transfer target, because he is vital to Chelsea. The Blues know he is one of the best all-around fullbacks that money can buy, and at 22 years old, he is only going to get better.
James has improved so much, so quickly. In 2020/21, he was decisive in helping the Blues win the Champions League, and he has become an even more complete player in 2021/22. Strong defensively, the England international also has a whopping five goals and six assists in the Premier League. That is world-class production.
9. Manchester City CM Phil Foden
We stay in the Premier League to praise the versatile Phil Foden, who is already one of the most well-liked players in his league. He was a true star for City in their title-winning campaign and run to the Champions League Final last season, playing a key role in the latter competition.
Foden can play at any attacking position, though he came up as a midfielder. Pep Guardiola always spoke incredibly highly of the England international’s potential, and the young man has proven his manager correct every step of the way.
8. Juventus ST Dusan Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic has been worth every cent Juventus paid for the striker from Fiorentina in the winter transfer window thus far. The Serbian international has led Juve back to the top four of Serie A, and even gave them brief hopes of a Scudetto battle. Though the Bianconeri are mathematically in the title race, their recent Champions League exit against Villarreal is confirmation that Max Allegri’s side still have a LOT of work to do.
That said, they took an important step forward by signing Vlahovic, who is a new superstar in town and helps recover the goals the Black and Whites left on the table after Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United.
Vlahovic is one of the best finishers on the planet, and it is scary to think what he can do over the next five years. He is a true Juventino.
7. RB Leipzig AM Christopher Nkunku
Like Phil Foden, Christopher Nkunku is a versatile attacking midfielder who can play just about any attacking position. He may be even more versatile than Foden, given how may different roles he has played for RB Leipzig over the past couple of seasons.
Nkunku has been the second-best player in the Bundesliga after Robert Lewandowski, which says a lot about how good he is. More football fans need to get to know his name. There is a reason why the likes of Real Madrid are interested in the top Leipzig star.
The 24-year-old has scored a jaw-dropping 15 goals with 9 assists in the Bundesliga, making him one of Europe’s most productive players. It is scary how involved he is in Leipzig’s matches. The man is everywhere on the pitch, with a killer instinct in front of goal to go with the unselfishness that helped him boost Timo Werner to a mega-transfer.
6. Bayern Munich LB Alphonso Davies
The best left back in the world, Alphonso Davies is so important to Bayern Munich that they go from being one of the most dominant teams in the world to looking vulnerable whenever he is out. Hopefully, he is 100 percent after not playing due to myocarditis.
Davies cleans up everything defensively and is one of the hardest-working players with his overlapping runs. Tactically, he is a coach’s dream and makes the job of the wingers and center backs much, much easier. While Davies can still develop a better cross and final ball, his strengths put him light years ahead of many of the other left backs competing with him.
This season, the 21-year-old has 3.8 dribbles completed per game, which is almost unheard of excellence in dribbling for a fullback.
5. Liverpool RB Trent Alexander-Arnold
Yet he is surpassed by the best right back on the planet, Trent Alexander-Arnold. Yes, the Liverpool star has indeed taken that mantle away from Dani Carvajal, who can no longer boast consistency and defensive presence as reasons for being above TAA.
Alexander-Arnold is so special because of his technical quality and famous early deliveries, which have helped Liverpool win titles. The England international is still just 23 despite his incredible accomplishments, so it is also scary to see the heights he can continue to achieve.
So far in 2021/22, Alexander-Arnold has a ridiculous 11 assists to go with 2 goals. With three key passes per game, his consistency in change-creation is that of an elite central attacking playmaker. Getting that kind of production at right back is unheard of. We have not seen this kind of ability since prime Dani Alves at Barcelona.
4. Bayer Leverkusen AM Florian Wirtz
It may seem like Florian Wirtz is ranked too highly, and we, sadly, may not know how a torn ACL impacts his development. But for now, Wirtz belongs in fourth because of the intelligence and production he showed for more than a half-season at Bayer Leverkusen, challenging Borussia Dortmund for second in the Bundesliga.
Wirtz is a special, special player. Just 18 years old, Wirtz has a case for already being the best playmaker in the world. His decision-making is near-perfect, and his technical execution is enviable. Prior to the injury, Wirtz had 7 goals, 10 assists, 2.5 key passes per game, and 2.3 dribbles completed per match for Die Werkself.
Those are jaw-dropping numbers. Wirtz ran the show on a weekly basis for Leverkusen, turning heads and earning transfer interest from virtually every major club. Leverkusen have always known they’ve had a special player in Wirtz, even valuing him above Kai Havertz, who is writing a great chapter in his career at Chelsea himself!
3. Borussia Dortmund ST Erling Haaland
It was tough to rank Erling Haaland third instead of second, but because of the injuries and the need for him to continue to develop his all-around game, the Borussia Dortmund superstar has to just barely sit in third. But that is not a bad place to be in at all. Haaland has a case for being a top-five player in the world and could challenge Kylian Mbappe as the world’s best by this time next year. He just needs to stay on the pitch.
Haaland has 16 goals in as many Bundesliga appearances this season for Die Schwarz-Gelben, to go with five assists. He is often described as a robot or a machine because of his elite finishing and physicality. His speed is breathtaking. Amidst the injuries, we cannot forget how unplayable he was to start the 2021/22 season. Defenders were beyond scared going up against him, and he carried Dortmund in some matches.
2. Real Madrid LW Vinicius Jr.
Yes, Vinicius Jr. is in second above Erling Haaland. The reason is that Vini brings so much to the table for Real Madrid beyond goals that he gets the edge; his consistency this season has been truly breathtaking to watch.
Vinicius is clutch, hard-working, and dependable. He can carry the ball to start attacks, create goals, win one-on-ones almost at will, score, and even defend. The scoring is the biggest addition to the Brazilian’s game. He always had the electricity and work rate, but his finishing was frequently meme’d. He would fluff the easiest chances.
That is not the case now. Vinicius Jr. has a staggering 14 goals from the left wing position despite all he does besides scoring goals, as he is second in LaLiga behind teammate Karim Benzema in this statistical category. Vini has also scored twice in the Champions League with a combined 10 assists in LaLiga and the UCL.
Vinicius is a fan-favorite among Madridistas. His passion and quality are inspiring to watch, especially when looking at how he has worked hard to show that quality after some rough patches. Now, nobody doubts him, not even in the harshest fanbase in football.
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1. PSG FW Kylian Mbappe
Obviously Kylian Mbappe is No. 1. The 23-year-old is almost certain to join Vinicius Jr. at Real Madrid in the summer 2022 transfer market. Basically everyone considers this move a done deal, meaning Real will have the two best young players in the world – and maybe the three if they can pull off an Erling Haaland transfer. There is still hope despite Manchester City’s heavy interest.
Mbappe has been the best player in the world this season. He has 15 goals and 10 assists in Ligue 1, carrying PSG’s supposed “dream team”. It is remarkable how poor this team is without him, as evidenced by a recent league loss to Nice. Mbappe also had six goals and four assists in the Champions League, nearly carrying PSG to victory over Madrid. Despite the loss to his likely future employers, Mbappe was THE standout player of the tournament to that point.
He does it all, and he has been elite for YEARS. No other player under 25 can say they have played anywhere near Mbappe’s level for the last five seasons. He is truly one-of-a-kind.