The annual NXGN Rankings are back for 2026, as GOAL ranks the world’s top young talents in men’s and women’s football.
Indeed, GOAL have today named those who hope to follow in the footsteps of previous winners like Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Christian Pulisic are two players with Milan links that have previously ranked on the 50-player list.
With representatives from 21 different nationalities and clubs from 17 different countries, the 2026 NXGN Men’s roster is truly global, comprising established international players, trophy winners and names set to shine at the biggest competitions in the coming decades.
Camarda makes the cut
Francesco Camarda makes the list in the number 22 position, with the following comment: “The youngest player to ever appear in Serie A after making his debut for AC Milan as a 15-year-old, Francesco Camarda was an absolute goal-scoring machine within the Rossoneri’s academy ranks while his Player-of-the-Tournament-winning exploits while Italy triumphed at the U17 European Championship in 2024 suggested he will also be one of the future faces of the Azzurri.
“Things haven’t quite gone to plan for Camarda over the past 12 months, with the now-18-year-old currently on loan at Lecce, where he has struggled to make a strong impact for a team who are fighting for their lives to remain in the Italian top-flight.
“Despite that, given his natural finishing ability and with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a mentor, Camarda is still expected to return on his potential at San Siro as he continues to learn his trade within the senior ranks.”
Another big decision awaits Camarda this summer. He is at the age now where every year is crucial for development, so Milan must decide whether to loan him out again or include him in the senior fold as his entourage are believed to want, amid interest from Fiorentina.
He can be 1st but will not play at Milan. We not gave chaince for developing young players. We sell him and have forst attackers at club then Camarda.
Allegri gave chances to De Winter, Bartesaghi and Athekame.
It depends on the coach, and our current coach is known for launching careers for youngsters.
De Sciglio, Niang, El Shaarawy, Cristante all those years ago. Then at Juventus Yildiz, Fagioli, Soule, Moise Kean, Kingsly Coman, Paulo Dybala, Huijsen, Iling-Junior and Rodrigo Bentancur.
Even Davide Astori (Bless his soul) debuted in Serie A under Max at Cagliari back in 2008.
As if Allegri had a choice. We have super short bench.
De Winter, Bartesaghi and Athekame all got minutes due to injuries. Not because Allegri thought they deserved to play over their older “competitors”.
Milan are going for Norton Cuffy who is 21 years old but won’t give Camarda a chance even with his potentials even if he plays 10 in all season it’s ok with us but no! we won’t do it cos we don’t give our own young youth’s a chance, what a management
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Why do Milan, and other Serie A teams, always look abroad for unproven talent? They aren’t even rich like the premier league, so it makes no sense financially as to why they wouldn’t want to save money and give their youth prospects an opportunity to develop. Donnarumma was given the starting job at 16 11 years over Diego Lopez, and look how that turned out? Nowadays, we’d look to buy someone before ever thinking of giving one of our youngsters a chance to play. Obviously, a lot of youth talent isn’t good enough to become a top-level professional, but someone like Camarda clearly has the potential to be one.