
The Champions League has always been a stage where the world’s best players shine, but in the 2025 season, several young players have captured the attention of fans and pundits alike. As the group stage wraps up and the knockout rounds approach, many under-23 players have made a significant impact in helping their teams push for progress. These emerging talents are not just gaining recognition in their domestic leagues, but are showing they belong on the biggest stage of European club football. Here, we highlight the standout young stars who have lit up the Champions League so far.
Charles de Ketelaere: Atalanta’s Midfield Maestro

One of the most impressive young talents in the Champions League this season is Charles de Ketelaere of Atalanta. The Belgian midfielder has been instrumental in Atalanta’s superb run in Europe. The Italian club has won four of their seven group-stage matches and is well on track to secure a top-eight finish, which would guarantee a spot in the last 16 without needing to go through the play-offs.
De Ketelaere, who is 23 years old, has scored four goals and provided five assists in just seven Champions League matches. His assist tally is the highest in the competition so far, showcasing his playmaking ability. In addition to his Champions League form, he has also contributed 10 goal involvements in 20 Serie A matches this season. The versatile midfielder has been crucial for Atalanta, both domestically and in Europe, as they bid to make a deep run in the competition.
Jamie Gittens: Borussia Dortmund’s Bright Young Hope

Borussia Dortmund’s 2025 season has been disappointing so far, especially after a poor run of form in the Bundesliga led to the sacking of coach Nuri Sahin. Despite these struggles, there have been a few shining lights for the German club, and one of the brightest has been 20-year-old Jamie Gittens.
The English winger has impressed in the Champions League, scoring four goals in just seven appearances. His performances have garnered attention across Europe, with top clubs, including Liverpool, reportedly sending scouts to watch him play. Gittens has shown remarkable maturity and skill for a player so young, and he could be a key figure for Dortmund as they look to improve their form in the knockout rounds.
Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s Phenomenal Teenage Talent

Barcelona’s wait for another Champions League title since their 2015 victory could finally be coming to an end, thanks in no small part to their youngest star, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. The Spanish forward has been a revelation in Europe this season, with his dazzling performances drawing comparisons to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.
Yamal’s ability to play with both feet, his dribbling skills, and his footballing intelligence have earned him high praise. Former France international Emmanuel Petit recently stated, “This guy, I would pay money to watch him.” Yamal has been one of the most exciting young players in the Champions League, and Barcelona will be hoping that his talent continues to shine as they aim to challenge for the trophy.
Jhon Durán: Aston Villa’s Rising Star in Europe

Jhon Durán, the 21-year-old Colombian forward, has been one of Aston Villa’s standout players this season, particularly in their Champions League campaign. This is Villa’s first foray into Europe’s top club competition since 1983, and Durán has quickly made a name for himself.
Known for his sharp instincts and clinical finishing, Durán has scored three goals in just 239 minutes of Champions League action this season. One of his most memorable moments came when he scored the winner against Bayern Munich in October, helping Villa to secure a crucial three points. His performances have significantly bolstered Villa’s hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds, and the young forward will be crucial as they aim to continue their journey in the Champions League.
Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid’s Record-Breaking Prodigy

Jude Bellingham has been making waves in the Champions League since he first started playing in the competition, and this season has been no different. After an explosive start to the 2024-25 campaign, Bellingham continued to break records. In Real Madrid’s 5-1 victory over RB Salzburg, he provided two assists, which took his total of Champions League goal contributions to 24 at just 21 years of age. This feat saw him equal a record previously held by Lionel Messi, who had 17 goals and seven assists by the time he was 21 years old.
Bellingham’s consistency and ability to perform on the biggest stage have made him one of the brightest stars in European football. His maturity, skill, and leadership in midfield have been key for Real Madrid, and as they prepare for the knockout rounds, Bellingham will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in their pursuit of another Champions League title.
Malik Tillman: PSV Eindhoven’s Creative Force

Malik Tillman, the 22-year-old former Bayern Munich midfielder, has been a standout performer for PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. The Dutch club has had a solid group-stage campaign, accumulating 11 points from their seven matches and positioning themselves well to secure a spot in the knockout round play-offs.
Tillman has been the creative force for PSV, creating 21 chances in the competition—more than any other player. Additionally, he has contributed three goals and two assists, showing his all-around ability. Unfortunately, Tillman suffered an ankle injury in January that could potentially sideline him for a while, but his performances in the Champions League have made a significant impact on PSV’s European campaign.
Marc Casado: Barcelona’s Defensive Midfield Star

Marc Casado, another La Masia graduate, has been an excellent addition to Barcelona’s midfield this season. At just 21 years old, Casado has taken on the responsibility of replacing the legendary Sergio Busquets. His performances in the Champions League have been exemplary, with a passing completion rate of 92%, a testament to his technical ability and composure on the ball.
In addition to his passing, Casado has been a key defensive presence, winning 18 tackles in the competition—more than any other player. His mature performances have helped Barcelona to secure six wins out of seven group-stage matches, and he will be crucial for the team as they aim to go deeper into the Champions League knockout rounds.
Florian Wirtz: Bayer Leverkusen’s Dynamic Forward

Florian Wirtz, at just 21 years old, has been a key player for Bayer Leverkusen in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League this season. The German forward has contributed to six goals in seven Champions League matches, scoring five and assisting another. Wirtz’s creativity and ability to break down opposition defenses have made him one of the most exciting young players in Europe.
Bayer Leverkusen may not have matched their fairytale Champions League run from last season, but they are still firmly in the hunt for a top-eight finish and will look to Wirtz for inspiration as they move into the knockout rounds.
Maghnes Akliouche: Monaco’s Midfield Dynamo

Monaco’s 22-year-old midfielder, Maghnes Akliouche, has been lighting up the Champions League this season with his exceptional technical ability and vision. Akliouche has been a key figure in Monaco’s midfield, providing a creative spark and impressive ball-carrying skills. His performances have been vital in helping Monaco progress through the group stage.
Akliouche’s brilliant first touch and ability to dictate play have made him one of the standout players of the season, and his spectacular overhead kick in a recent Ligue 1 win against Rennes showed just how dangerous he can be in the final third. Monaco will look to Akliouche to continue his fine form as they prepare for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Conclusion
As the Champions League enters its knockout rounds, several young stars have already made their mark on the competition. Players like Charles de Ketelaere, Jamie Gittens, Lamine Yamal, and Jude Bellingham have demonstrated their immense potential and ability to shine on Europe’s biggest stage. With more exciting talents such as Jhon Durán, Malik Tillman, and Florian Wirtz also making their presence felt, the future of European club football looks brighter than ever. These young stars will undoubtedly play pivotal roles in their teams’ quests for Champions League glory in the years to come.