Lionel Messi has bid farewell to international football and he's now given a list of youngsters he is tipping to make names for themselves on the world stage just like he did.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winning forward played his final match for Argentina last week when he captained his nation in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin. He scored from the penalty spot to end his international career with 126 goals in 208 games, of which seven of those fired his country to World Cup glory in 2022.
After winning the World Cup, Messi had accomplished everything in football and realised his dream as a young boy from Rosario. The sport is now headed into a new era without arguably the greatest player to grace its pitches.
Key Events Timeline
October 2026 — Adidas released a tribute video celebrating Messi's career before his farewell game.
New, up-and-coming talents are all itching at the bit to follow in the footsteps of Messi and become the biggest stars on the planet. It's an impossible task to narrow this pool of young prospects down, so fortunately the 39-year-old has done just that.
Argentina's Lionel Messi with Benin's Amiro Amadou after his final international match
Argentina's Lionel Messi with Benin's Amiro Amadou after his final international match
Messi sat down with Adidas and jotted down a list of 10 men's and women's footballers he backs to reach superstardom. In a video published by the sportswear titan, he made sure to highlight English-based players, including Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman.
The 16-year-old is viewed as one of the best prospects in the Premier League and is already a member of Mikel Arteta's senior team. He's not just caught the eye with glimpses of brilliance, he's made an impact, including when he came off the bench and scored in the Gunners' 2-0 win over Everton last season.
Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in top-flight history before winning the title and the Premier League's Home Grown Debutant of the Season award. The Hale End academy gradude isn't the only English star on Messi's radar.
Arsenal's Max Dowman during the warm up before the match v Bayer Leverkusen
Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses
Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Arsenal's Max Dowman during the warm up before the match v Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal's Max Dowman during the warm up before the match v Bayer Leverkusen
Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses
Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses
Arsenal's Max Dowman during the warm up before the match v Bayer Leverkusen
Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses
Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Arsenal's Max Dowman during the warm up before the match v Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal's Max Dowman during the warm up before the match v Bayer Leverkusen
Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses
Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses
Chloe Sarwie of Chelsea's women's team also made Messi's list, and she's been earning major plaudits amid a meteoric rise in the Women's Super League. At 17, she's a hugely important presence at the back for England at youth level and has been included in the U20 squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Born in Lambeth, Sarwie joined the West London outfit at the age of 10 and made her first-team debut in October 2025 when she came off the bench in a 1-1 draw against FC Twente. She looks certain to be a prominent member of the Lionesses in the years to come.
Messi Also Lists World Cup and Premier League Youngsters
Gilberto Mora Mexico World Cup 2026
Gilberto Mora Mexico World Cup 2026
Other names Messi has put the spotlight on include American youngster Zavier Gozo, who has broken into Crystal Palace's senior team. The 19-year-old debuted in a 4-1 loss to Manchester City earlier this season and has already represented the USA under Mauricio Pochettino.
The most high-profile starlet named by the Barcelona legend is Mexican attacker Gilberto Mora, who made a huge impression during the World Cup on home soil. He played in four games for Mexico and the 17-year-old Tijuana midfield gem has started to be linked with European clubs, including Liverpool.
Messi also has high hopes for Argentine compatriot Tomas Aranda and the 19-year-old is another who could land in Europe sooner rather than later. The Boca Juniors midfielder earned his first cap for Albiceleste in a 2-0 win over Honduras back in June.
The oldest name listed is Turkish striker Can Uzan, who made two appearances in his country's woeful World Cup campaign. The 20-year-old did manage to get on the scoresheet in a 3-2 win over the USA and he's been in red-hot form for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, starting this season with four goals and three assists in six games.
Kees Smit remained at AZ Alkmaar in the summer despite speculation over a potential move to Real Madrid or even the Premier League. The 20-year-old Dutch midfielder has been likened to Kevin De Bruyne for his composure and passing abilities.
Messi also seems to agree with former Barca teammate Cesc Fabregas over Jesus Rodriguez's potential, as the Como winger is also on his list. The 20-year-old has been turning heads in Serie A and looks destined for Spain's first-team, having already earned 10 caps for the U21's.
a custom image of Lamine Yamal (Barcelona shirt), Desire Doue (PSG shirt) and Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd shirt) on a generic football background
a custom image of Lamine Yamal (Barcelona shirt), Desire Doue (PSG shirt) and Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd shirt) on a generic football background
There are big expectations for versatile German attacker Lotta Wrede and the 18-year-old has been proving a tricky customer for Hamburger SV. Likewise, Lyon midfielder Giovanna Waksman has seemingly won Messi over, as the 17-year-old Brazilian is added to his notice board.