Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo might not be done just yet, but there’s a whole new generation of talent ready and waiting to take on the mantle. Below, we take a look at the best wonderkids in eFootball 2023.
Best Young Players in eFootball 2023
10. Josko Gvardiol
Age: 20
Country: Croatia
Club: RB Leipzig
Rating: 80
If you hadn’t heard of Josko Gvardiol before the 2022 World Cup, you surely have now. A standout performer for Croatia in Qatar, the 20-year-old is a ball playing centre back with 74 low passing and 72 lofted passing which enables the teams he plays for to build up from the back and sustain attacks. His primary job, though, is to defend, and that he can do. No bother. Gvardiol, who’s rated 80 overall in eFootball 2023, has 80 defensive engagement, 82 jumping and 74 tackling. His defensive awareness does need some improvement, though, with a rating of just 67.
9. Nuno Mendes
Age: 20
Country: Portugal
Club: PSG
Rating: 80
Nuno Mendes is a dynamic left back currently plying his trade in France for champions PSG. Originally a product of the Sporting CP academy, Mendes made his professional debut in June 2020, before earning his first international cap for Portugal less than a year later aged 18. The teenager’s meteoric rise attracted the attention of Europe’s elite, and in the summer of 2021 Mendes joined PSG on a season long loan before eventually signing for them permanently the following season. Despite starting his career as a winger, Mendes has since been playing at full back.
With 85 sprint speed and 85 acceleration he’s capable of matching most wingers stride for stride in a foot race. Considered an offensive full back by many, Mendes is an efficient ball carrier with 77 dribbling and 73 ball control. With a current overall rating of 80 the Portuguese full back is expected to continue improving and could eventually achieve a rating of 90. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on.
8. Ryan Gravenberch
Age: 20
Country: Netherlands
Club: Bayern Munich
Rating: 80
The Ajax academy is renowned for producing world class talent, and 20-year-old Ryan Gravenberch is the next big thing off the production line. Having made over 70 first team appearances for his boyhood club and winning three Eredivisie titles, the youngster was snapped up by Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. Typically operating as a number eight, Gravenberch has a tendency to drift out wide and occupy pockets of space where he can dictate play. Standing 6ft 2” tall the central midfielder is deceptively quick and agile for his height.
He possesses 78 physical contact in eFootball 2023 which allows him to shrug off opponents with ease. Technically sound with 74 low passing and 72 lofted passing, Gravenberch is capable of making progressive, defence splitting passes. A box-to-box type, the 80 rated midfielder also provides excellent defensive cover with tackling, defensive awareness and defensive engagement all rated over 70.
7. Gavi
Age: 18
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Rating: 81
Barcelona was always going to struggle replacing Xavi and Iniesta when the pair departed the club. But now, after a few years of transition, they look to have struck gold with a new midfield duo. One of those is 18-year-old Gavi. The teenager has already made over 50 senior appearances for the Catalans and in 2021 he made his international debut becoming the youngest player to ever represent Spain.
Rated 81 overall, with a potential of 90 in eFootball 2023, Gavi is a complete midfielder. He’s ridiculously comfortable on the ball, as you’d expect, with 84 tight possession and 81 ball control. Given time and space he’ll make progressive runs forward utilising 82 dribbling. And, despite his age, he has the composure and vision to pick a pass in the final third with 80 low passing. His defensive work deserves recognition too. 82 defensive engagement and 80 aggression illustrates a willingness to press his opponents.
6. Eduardo Camavinga
Age: 20
Country: France
Club: Real Madrid
Rating: 81
Eduardo Camavinga has been forced to bide his time at Real Madrid, with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench. But following a number of impressive displays in the Champions League last season, it’s surely only a matter of time before the 20-year-old becomes a key figure in the heart of Ancelotti’s midfield, especially now Modric is nearing the end of his career. He’ll have a lot to live up to, following in the footsteps of one of the greatest midfielders of all time, but Camavinga, who’s rated 81 overall with a potential of 90 in eFootball 2023, is more than up to it.
A complete midfielder, but best suited to the pivotal role, the France international has a tendency to get the ball forward as quickly as possible and can dictate play with 77 low passing and 75 lofted passing. He’s comfortable in possession too with 78 ball control, 75 dribbling and 74 tight possession. And to add to all that he doesn’t shy away from getting stuck in. Camavinga provides plenty of protection for his back line with 77 defensive engagement, 74 tackling and 72 defensive awareness.
5. Jamal Musiala
Age: 19
Country: Germany
Club: Bayern Munich
Rating: 81
Teenage sensation Jamal Musiala continues to impress for Bayern Munich and was one of few positives to come out of Germany’s disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign. The attacking midfielder showcased his exceptional dribbling ability, which is backed up in eFootball 2023 with 82 dribbling, 81 tight possession and 81 ball control. Musiala also has the ability to turn on the afterburners with 82 acceleration, this enables him to beat most defenders in one vs. one situations.
The 19-year-old is incredibly versatile but prefers playing the number 10 role, where he can drift into pockets of space and utilise 78 low passing to unlock defences. Rated 81 already in eFootball 2023, the midfielder has a potential of 89 – don’t be surprised if he exceeds that in years to come. This kid is special.
4. Florian Wirtz
Age: 19
Country: Germany
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Rating: 82
If there’s one thing Germany isn’t short on, it’s highly rated attacking midfielders, and Florian Wirtz is the pick of the bunch. Rated 82 overall, with 91 potential, the 19-year-old is predominantly right footed and, like compatriot Musiala, enjoys finding pockets of space between the lines where he can orchestrate play. A regular at Bayer Leverkusen, the teenager’s already racked up over 60 Bundesliga appearances, bagging 15 goals in the process, and his impressive performances have not gone unnoticed earning himself a first international cap in 2021.
It’s worth noting his distribution can, at times, be erratic, but he’s a ridiculously strong ball carrier. He has both the technical ability and physicality to shrug off challenges and glide past defenders with 82 dribbling and 81 acceleration. Wirtz is most dangerous in the final third. 74 offensive awareness and 73 finishing show he already possesses that killer instinct in and around the box.
3. Ansu Fati
Age: 20
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Rating: 82
The second of three Barcelona players to feature in the list of Best Wonderkids in eFootball 2023, Ansu Fati is a pacey, versatile forward capable of playing on either flank and through the middle. He’s most effective on the left, though, where he can cut in on his right foot and go for goal or play a precise through ball depending on his options.
Nobody aged twenty or below has a higher potential rating than Fati’s 92, and his current overall rating of 82 is only bettered by two other players. The 20-year-old’s biggest asset is clearly his pace with 85 acceleration and 80 speed, but he’s not just a one-trick pony. In front of goal he’s composed and clinical with 75 finishing and, like most Wonderkids of today, he’s an incredible ball-carrier. Whether it’s out wide or centrally where space is more limited, Fati has the technical ability to keep hold of the ball with 80 dribbling, 78 ball control and 78 tight possession.
2. Jude Bellingham
Age: 19
Country: England
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Rating: 83
England’s hottest prospect for some years, Jude Bellingham is a generational talent. It’s no surprise, then, to hear the majority of Europe’s elite teams are all vying for his signature. Right now, though, he remains an important player for Borussia Dortmund, and in October 2022 he became the youngest Bundesliga captain ever when he donned the armband away to Cologne.
A box-to-box midfielder, rated 83 overall, Bellingham has a knack of drifting into space. But it’s in crowded central areas where he tends to thrive most. The teenager has excellent close control, quick feet and the ability to send opponents on their way with subtle feints and drops of the shoulder. In eFootball 2023 the 19-year-old has 79 tight possession, 78 ball control and 73 dribbling. He can pick a pass too. 76 low passing allows him to play quick one-twos in and around the edge of the box.
1. Pedri
Age: 20
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Rating: 85
Already a key player for club and country, 20-year-old Pedri is expected to dominate the game for years to come. A versatile midfielder perfectly suited to the number eight role, but also capable of playing out wide, Pedri has been likened to Barcelona and Spain legend Iniesta by his current club manager Xavi. You can’t really argue with that, can you? Rated 85 overall in eFootball 2023, the Barca midfielder is the hottest prospect in the game and has a potential of 92. Like all Barca midfielders of the last few decades Pedri consistently wants the ball to feet.
He’s blessed with excellent ball control and can retain possession in tight areas which is backed up in eFootball with 85 tight possession and 84 ball control. He’s an efficient ball carrier too, capable of turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye with 85 balance and 82 dribbling. Add to that 83 low passing and it’s easy to see why there’s so much hype surrounding the youngster.
