A highly-rated Liverpool youngster has been named among the 60 best young talents in The Guardian’s Next Generation 2026 list.
Samuel Martinez has been included in the annual list. Liverpool agreed a deal to sign him from Atletico Nacional in the summer. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder will join the Reds’ academy ahead of the 2027-28 season.
Martinez starred for Colombia as they won the U17 South American Championship in April, featuring in all six games and providing three assists.
He primarily operates as a No. 10 but can also play as a No. 8. The youngster has risen through Atletico Nacional’s academy and currently plays for their U20 side.
Martinez impressed European clubs at the tournament, helping Colombia win the title for the first time since 1993 after a 3-0 semi-final victory over Brazil and a 4-0 final win against Argentina.
The Guardian wrote: “Liverpool needed scant time to make up their mind. Following just six games across 17 days at the Under-17 South American championship this April, the Premier League club had seen enough.
“Dazzling as the tournament’s breakthrough star, Martínez had inspired unfancied Colombia to brush past both Brazil (3-0) in the semi-finals and then Argentina (4-0) to the continental title.
“From under the Argus-eyed gaze of dozens of Europe’s top clubs, the central midfielder was sharply snapped up and brought to Anfield for a bargain £750,000.
“Born in Tulua, the same hometown as Faustino Asprilla, and already dubbed “the Colombian Kaká,” Martínez caught the eye of Atlético Nacional’s head of scouting Juan Camilo Pérez, who convinced him to sign aged 12.
“There are similarities to Kaká; the way he explodes forward, his game intelligence and discipline, the perfect weight he puts on a pass,” Pérez observed of the plumb-postured rising star.
“He was the best player at the Under-17s.” Yet to make his official Nacional debut, Martínez will stick around in Colombia until he turns 18.
“But when he does finally make the move to Merseyside next summer, Liverpool will have an unrefined talent who, with a bit of polishing, could become something special.”
Support DaveOCKOP and enjoy the site completely ad-free. You’ll get an uninterrupted browsing experience while helping us continue to deliver the latest Liverpool news, breaking stories and exclusives. Go ad-free today.