Messi names football’s next generation of stars

Lionel Messi has turned the spotlight on football’s rising generation, selecting seven male players and three female talents for Adidas’ initiative, aptly titled “The Next Chapter Starts Here.”
The list features Tomás Aranda, Max Dowman, Zavier Gozo, Jesús Rodríguez, Kees Smit, Gilberto Mora and Can Uzun. The women’s selection includes Chloe Sarwie, Giovanna Waksman and Lotta Wrede.
Dowman stands out after becoming the youngest Champions League player at 15 years and 308 days, before setting another record as the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer at 16 years and 73 days.
Rodríguez has also attracted attention following an impressive season at Como, registering four goals and ten assists. The initiative continues Messi’s talent-spotting tradition, launched in 2015 with “Backed by Messi” and revived in 2024 and 2025, featuring future stars including Lamine Yamal, Kenan Yildiz and Nico Paz.