30 most promising young players Under 20
The future is bright for women’s football, just take a look at the outstanding young talent involved in the game right now!
I have created a list of the 30 most promising young women footballers under-20 years old, who in my opinion are stand-out talents in the world right now and are exciting prospects for the future.
Of course, this is my personal opinion which has been created with the information available to me, I would love to hear from you to learn more names that should make the list, please leave your comments below or on social media as to who you think is missing on the list and who is the most promising player, thank you.
Claudia Pina – 2001-08-12 (age 16)
Spain, Barcelona, Forward
Mulher e futebol não combinam?! A Claudia Pina, atacante da base do Barça DISCORDA! Olha aí o GOLAÇO que ela fez contra o Espanyol! pic.twitter.com/rMZwl6IZae
— Esporte Interativo (@Esp_Interativo) 13 de janeiro de 2017
The young forward of Barcelona club youth categories is well known as a goal-scoring machine. She has also already been compared to Ronaldo Nazario, the Brazilian. In January of this year, in a derby against Espanyol of juveniles, she scored a goal, similar to the famous goal of Messi against Getafe.
Angelina Alonso Constantino – 2000-01-26 (age 17)
USA/Brazil, Santos, Midfielder
The young midfielder has dual citizenship, but plays for Brazilian youth categories and for the Brazilian club Santos FC. She is a very creative and modern midfielder. It is a joy to watch her playing and she is a very promising play-maker for Brazil.
Patricia Guijarro Gutiérrez – 1998-05-17 (age 19)
Spain, Barcelona, Midfielder
The young midfielder is considered one of the most promising talents in Spanish Football. She also was the top scorer of the 2017 Women’s U19 EURO leading Spain to be crowned the Champions of the tournament.
Kerolin Nicoli Israel Ferraz – 1999-11-17 (age 18)
Brazil, Ponte Preta, Forward
#FemininaSub20 terminou participação no Nike Friendlies com vitória! Se liga no golaço marcado pela Kerolin, que fechou o placar final: 2 a 0. pic.twitter.com/DUcOj9dXZP
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) 12 de dezembro de 2017
This Brazilian gem recently won the title of best player of the Paulista Championship and she also led Corinthians (where she was on loan from Ponte Preta) to be Champion of the Libertadores Cup. Kerolin can play as a striker and a winger, on both sides. She is a very speedy and skilled player and I believe it’s only a matter of time for her to be called up for the Brazilian senior team.
Catarina Macario – 1999-10-04 (age 18)
Brazil, Stanford, Forward
Catarina Macario beautiful goal to give @StanfordWSoccer the win earns the @OpusBank #12Best Moment. pic.twitter.com/qxsdUXvO56
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) 4 de novembro de 2017
The college star recently won the 2017 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship playing for Stanford. She was also nominated espnW’s soccer player of the year and she was ranked first in Women’s Freshmen Top 100.
Ellie Brazil – 1999-01-10 (age 18)
England, Fiorentina, Forward
Ellie Brazil Scores goal for Fiorentina against Wolfsburg, Video: Fiorentina Women’s FC, UEFA Women’s Champions League #womensfootball #UWCL @EllieBrazil_ pic.twitter.com/EN0pRJ6EnU
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) 16 de novembro de 2017
The 18-year-old forward is one of the most promising players of England. She is currently playing in the Italian Women’s Serie A with Fiorentina, and scored her first goal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League against the German giant Wolfsburg, in a 3-3 draw.
Deyna Cristina Castellanos Naujenis – 1999-04-18 (age 18)
Venezuela, Forward
Por este gol la guapa @deynac18 es una de las 3 finalistas al Premio Puskás de la @FIFAcom
Vota?https://t.co/pM463xRLg9 pic.twitter.com/BgWELxRpvi
— Último Moment? VE (@UltimoMomentoVE) 13 de outubro de 2017
The 18-year-old Venezuelan forward was a finalist for The 2017 Best FIFA Women’s Player award. She was also nominated for the 2017 Puskas award with her beautiful goal against Cameroon in the 2016 U-17 Women’s World Cup. In 2014, she helped “La Vino Tinto” to reach fourth place at the U-17 World Cup and won the Golden Boot, scoring six goals in the tournament alongside her teammate, Gabriela García. In 2016, at the U-17 World Cup, Castellanos was awarded the Bronze Ball and Bronze Boot as Venezuela came fourth for a second consecutive time. She currently holds the all-time scoring record in the tournament with 11 goals.
Jessie Alexandra Fleming – 1998-03-11 (age 19)
Canada, UCLA, Midfielder
Jessie Fleming with her early entry for #GoalOfTheYear pic.twitter.com/N5KJpEowvk
— UCLA Women’s Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) 19 de agosto de 2017
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder helped her team reach the 2017 NCAA College Cup final and she was a top-three finalist for M.A.C. Hermann Trophy honours for the 2017 NCAA’s top women’s soccer player. She also plays for Canada senior WNT.
Mylène Chavas – 1998-01-07 (age 19)
France, Saint-Étienne, Goalkeeper
Match magique de @mylenechavas pic.twitter.com/AYZ3SYwVdX
— ASSE Féminines (@ASSEFeminines) 25 de novembro de 2016
The French goalkeeper, for two years in a row, at UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship, made part of Team of the Tournament (2016 and 2017). She also won the Golden Glove at 2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
Mallory Diane Pugh – 1998-04-29 (age 19)
USA, Washington Spirit, Forward
First #NWSL season ✅
Finish in style? You betcha.@MalPugh closes out her debut season in the league with a brace. pic.twitter.com/t8TFpua4WM— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) 1 de outubro de 2017
The 2015 U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year and 2016 Gatorade Female Soccer Player of the Year, Pugh has played at every junior level for the USWNT, including being the Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship in Honduras. In 2017, the United States women’s national team young star decided to forgo her NCAA eligibility to play in NWSL.
Sung Hyangsim – 1999-11-02 (age 18)
DPR Korea, Pyongyang City Sports Club, Forward
Sung Hyang Sim Scores her 2nd goal to put Korea DPR 3 up, AFC U-19 Women’s Finals #womensfootball #AFCU19W Video: AFC pic.twitter.com/w4dMjJD0VC
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) 25 de outubro de 2017
Sung was named the Most Valuable Player and earned the Golden Ball for most goals scored at the 2017 AFC U-19 Women’s Championship. She was also nominated for the 2017 Asian Player of the Year and won the 2017 Asian Young Footballer of the Year award by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The previous year, she earned the Silver Ball at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup leading DPR Korea to be crowned champion.
Aitana Bonmatí Conca – 1998-01-18 (age 19)
Spain, Barcelona, Midfielder
Spain’s Aitana Bonmati shows some great skill, UEFA Women’s U-19 Final #womensfootball #WU19EURO #FRAESP pic.twitter.com/I43USpY5Rq
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) 20 de agosto de 2017
One of the most promising Spanish players, Aitana led the Barcelona B team to their first ever Second Division league title in 2015/16 season. In the summer of 2016 she made the move to the first team squad.
Lauren Hemp – 2000-08-07 (age 17)
England, Bristol city, Forward
What a goal by @lauren__hemp! ? pic.twitter.com/CuVdhGMoee
— The FA WSL (@FAWSL) 9 de outubro de 2017
The 17-year-old striker Lauren Hemp recently won the Vauxhall England Young Player of the Year, at the annual FA Awards.
Fuka Nagano – 1999-03-09 (age 18)
Japan, Urawa Reds Ladies, Midfielder
Nagano Fuka final. #BestPlayer2016 @GjamdjPi pic.twitter.com/IwNu3KNQ2f
— Isham (@krb_isham) 23 de outubro de 2016
In 2016, the young Japanese midfielder won the Golden Ball and became the first player to appear in two FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals. She was also named 2016 AFC Asian Young Footballer of the Year.
Fenna Kalma – 1999-11-21 (age 18)
Netherlands, sc Heerenveen, Forward
?️| Dit schot van Fenna Kalma vliegt geweldig binnen! #playoffs #scheerenveen pic.twitter.com/AojIsjEDPL
— Eredivisie Vrouwen (@Eredivisievr) 30 de abril de 2017
The 18-year-old forward recently has been standing out in the Women Eredivisie and in the Netherlands u19 national team. She is the top scorer of SC Heerenveen and one of the top scorer players of the league. She has been recently compared with Dutch prodigy forward Vivianne Miedema.
Giulia Gwinn – 1999-07-02 (age 18)
Germany, SC Freiburg, Midfielder
Giulia Gwinn scores Goal for Germany to level game at 1-1. Video: Eurosport, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup #womensfootball #U17WWC pic.twitter.com/GKroTolCLZ
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) 3 de outubro de 2016
The young midfielder helped Germany to win the 2016 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship. She currently play for SC Freiburg who is the vice leader of the 2017-2018 Frauen Bundesliga season. She so far is second in goals scored (5) for her team, tied with Klara Bühl and after Lina Magull (6).
Ellie Carpenter – 2000-04-28 (age 17)
Australia, Canberra United, Defender
Carpenters usually knock off early. Not our Ellie though! What a time to score your first goal for @TheMatildas. @CarpenterEllie #GoMatildas pic.twitter.com/1bs1xXMT3F
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) 6 de março de 2017
The Australian defender debuted for the national team as a 15-year-old and became the first player born in the 21st century to play soccer for Australia.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto – 1998-11-01 (age 19)
France, PSG, Forward
Katoto sigue a lo suyo. Le da igual PSG que Selección ?⚽️pic.twitter.com/4lGofhDpHj
— Fútbol Invisible (@futbolinvisiBet) 23 de novembro de 2017
The PSG star was the topscorer of the 2016 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship netting 6 goals. She is currently also the top goal-scorer of her team in the French Feminine Division 1 and second in topscorer players of the tournament, behind Ada Hegerberg from Lyon. She also plays for France senior national team.
Alessia Russo – 1999-02-08 (age 18)
England, North Carolina Tar Heels, Midfielder
Alessia Russo scores Great Goal to level the match 3-3 @alessiarusso7 FIFA U17 World Cup #womensfootball #U17WWC #Lionesses Video: Eurosport pic.twitter.com/TQsvFv5Y82
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) 1 de outubro de 2016
Russo plays for the youth categories of England WNT. She was the topscorer (5) with Lorena Navarro (Spain) at the 2016 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship and she also made the Team of the Tournament. She competed at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan.
Emelyne Laurent – 1998-11-04 (age 19)
France, Lyon, Midfielder
#WU19EURO | Aquest ha sigut el gol del 2-1 de França, obra d’Emelyne Laurent pic.twitter.com/6Yqeye7s49
— Futfem.cat (@FutfemPuntCat) 20 de agosto de 2017
After a standout performance at 2017 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship where France were runners- up of the tournament, losing to Spain in the Final, the 19-year-old player from Martinique, signed a 3 year deal with the best female club in the world, Lyon.
Loreta Kullashi – 1999-05-20 (age 18)
Sweden, Eskilstuna United DFF, Forward
Loreta Kullashi scores goal for Sweden to lead 1-0, Video courtesy of: https://t.co/zmGpsJNcv2 U-19 La Manga #womensfootball #LaManga pic.twitter.com/PNxxpmpx1a
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) 7 de março de 2017
The young forward played for Swedish youth categories. She currently plays in the Damallsvenskan league for Eskilstuna United DFF. Kullashi was also recently called up to the Swedish senior WNT to play South Africa in a friendly match.
Alex Chidiac – 1999-01-15 (age 18)
Australia, Adelaide United, Midfielder
Chidiac was called up to the senior Australia squad in 2015, aged sixteen. She made her international debut on 12 February 2015, in a win over New Zealand. The young midfielder was called up again ahead of the 2017 Algarve Cup, where she made two appearances.
Maite Oroz – 1998-03-25 (age 19)
Spain, Athletic Club, Midfielder
Maite Oroz Scores Great Goal for the Spain 2 – 1. Video: Eurosport, UEFA Women’s U-19 Finals #womensfootball #WU19EURO #NEDESP pic.twitter.com/9S2bZyMFfW
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) 17 de agosto de 2017
Maite Oroz, captain of the U19 Spanish women national team, was one of the best players in the 2017 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship helping Spain be crowned the champion. She is also a pillar of her team, Athletic Club, playing in the first division of the Spanish national league.
Frida Leonhardsen Maanum – 1999-07-16 (age 18)
Norway, Linköpings FC, Midfielder
Frida Maanum’s belter of a goal for Linköping against Hammarby #Damallsvenskan. pic.twitter.com/wvavn2Qidq
— Katja Kragelund (@applessquabble) October 8, 2017
The young midfielder is one of the most promising Norwegian players. She played for Stabæk in Kvinne 1. Divisjon and currently is defending the Damallsvenskan champion, Linköpings FC. She also played for Norway senior team at UEFA Women’s Euro 2017.
Jana Feldkamp – 1998-03-15( age 19)
Germany, SG Essen-Schönebeck, Midfielder
The young midfielder played for Germany youth categories and she was recently called up for the Germany senior national team. In July 2017, Feldkamp was awarded by the DFB as the best female youth player with the Fritz Walter Medal.
Georgia Stanway – 1999-01-03 (age 18)
England, Manchester City, Forward
Looking good for @ManCityWomen as @StanwayGeorgia adds a fourth! ? pic.twitter.com/PfsEOJYwBj
— The FA WSL (@FAWSL) 24 de setembro de 2017
Stanway joined Manchester City in summer of 2015. In 2016, She was nominated for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and won the FA WSL title with her club. In 2017, she was nominated for PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year.
Ana Vitória Angélica Kliemaschewsk de Araújo – 2000-03-06 (age 17)
Brazil, Corinthians, Midfielder
The captain of Brazil U 20 WNT was recently champions of Libertadores Cup playing for Corinthians. She does a very good job as a defensive midfielder.
Janina Minge – 1999-06-11 (age 18)
Germany, SC Freiburg, Midfielder
The German midfielder joined the Frauen-Bundesliga club SC Freiburg at the age of sixteen. In 2015, she was the second youngest player in the German U-17 national team squad for the European Championship in Iceland where the team reached the semi-finals. In May 2016, the team won the 2016 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship after a penalty shootout against Spain.
Noelia Ramos Álvarez – 1999-02-10 (age 18)
Spain, Levante, Goalkeeper
Andressa’s 2nd half free-kick was spectacularly saved by UDG Tenerife’s (& Spain WU17) GK, Noelia Ramos. pic.twitter.com/jqdlBhzJDQ
— Barça Women (@BarcaWomen) 16 de janeiro de 2017
The Spanish goalkeeper is currently playing for Levante in the first division of Spanish League. She won the Golden Glove at 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. She also won the 2017 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship with Spain.
Lorena Navarro Domínguez – 2000-11-11 (age 17)
Spain, CD TACÓN, Forward
Lorena Navarro scores a Great goal to put Spain 4 up. Video: EuroSport UEFA U17 Semi-Final #womensfootball #WU17EURO pic.twitter.com/OSryzVBRd8
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) 13 de maio de 2016
She won the Golden Shoe at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup scoring 8 goals during the tournament where Spain was third place.
Thank you to all friends on Twitter who collaborate with this list!

Women’s football enthusiast based in Brazil. Supporting and raising the profile of the women’s game.
Grazie per la lista e le immagini, auguri a tutti di buone feste.
Fantastic list, thank you Izzy. There are so many talented young players, it’s great to put them in the global spotlight – looking forward to seeing how their careers progress… Do we have a future World Player of the Year included in this…??