21 Best Young Female Football Players in the World in 2025

In women’s football, young talents continue to emerge, showcasing their incredible potential at the highest level. Based on extensive research by ESPN experts and journalists across continents, here are the top 21 players under 21 as of March 2025.

At the top spot, Barcelona’s Vicky López proves herself as the most promising talent. At 18 years old, the Spanish player has collected 18 goals from 51 league appearances — an impressive achievement considering her debut at age 16.

Second place goes to Haitian midfielder Melchie Dumornay. The Lyon player has impressed with 13 goals from 13 league matches this season. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo takes third place, proving her class with the Colombian National Team.

Other notable names in the list include:

• Jaedyn Shaw – Talented American forward
• Tarciane – Brazilian center-back acquired by Lyon for a high transfer fee
• Salma Paralluelo – Barcelona forward who finished 3rd in the 2024 Ballon d’Or
• Lily Yohannes – Young Ajax midfielder contested between the Netherlands and United States

Selection criteria were based on performances at the highest level, consistency, and development potential. Notably, the majority of players on the list are forwards— highlighting how young attacking talents receive early playing opportunities compared to other positions.

“Vicky López has shown remarkable playing maturity at her very young age. She is a perfect example of women’s football’s new generation of talent,” stated the ESPN analysis team in their report.