Women's Soccer: Top 25 Promises 2024

25. Brooke Aspin (Chelsea - on loan to Bristol City)

Brooke Aspin has demonstrated the qualities that make her one of England's most exciting prospects since breaking into Bristol City's first team at 16. Two years later, she helped the Robins win promotion to the Women's Super League, overcame an incredible personal battle with the potentially fatal disease sepsis, and signed for Chelsea, the dominant power in English women's football.

A natural leader and a determined advocate, 18-year-old Aspin exudes ambition and has the talent to help her achieve anything she desires.

24. Toko Koga (Feyenoord)

Having made it one of her career goals to become a successful Japanese player abroad, Toko Koga took a bold first step toward achieving that goal in January when, having just celebrated her 18th birthday, she left her home to join Feyenoord in the Netherlands. The versatile defender has already become a key player in her new club's starting lineup thanks to her technical ability, physical qualities, and aerial threat.

The excitement surrounding Koga's potential is also recognized within the Japanese national team, with her already beginning to be integrated into the main squad by coach Futoshi Ikeda.

23. Liana Joseph (Lyon)

It's hard to put into words just how impressive Liana Joseph's performance was in the 2023 UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship final. Spain completely dominated the first half, but France's number 9 began to send out some warning signs after the break, and she soon punished them on the counter-attack, finishing calmly to give France a lead that she then doubled 10 minutes later.

It won't be easy for Joseph to break through at Lyon, but the 17-year-old is already getting some opportunities. The French giants would certainly be foolish not to make the most of her promising talent as well.

22. Amanda Allen (Orlando Pride)

You have to be quite talented to make your national team debut at 17, especially for a country that just won Olympic gold. Amanda Allen is truly gifted. After reaching this milestone in time to play alongside a Canadian icon like Christine Sinclair, the now 19-year-old forward is learning a lot from another legend of the game: she plays alongside Marta for the Orlando Pride.

Allen is a fearless, confident offensive player who poses a threat to defenders in many different ways. And her desire to learn and improve makes her potential even greater.

21. Hapsatou Malado Diallo (Eibar)

Senegal is far from being a powerhouse in women's football like it is in men's. Having participated in only two African Cup of Nations tournaments and never a world championship, they have a long way to go—but in Hapsatou Malado Diallo, there may be a prodigy who could be crucial to the nation's future.

Diallo was just 17 when she represented Senegal at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, and this put her in the spotlight, with Spanish top-flight club Eibar signing her last year. A striker with impressive strength, Diallo also boasts excellent finishing and great technical ability.

20. Gisele Thompson (Angel City)

Before signing with Angel City in December, Gisele Thompson spent several years with Total Futbol Academy, a men's club competing in MLS Next. While this is a rare experience for any female soccer player in the United States, it helped hone her game in a highly balanced manner, suited to the demands of a full-back in the modern era.

Inevitably, there's extra excitement surrounding the 18-year-old because of her sister Alyssa, who went to the World Cup with the U.S. Women's National Team in 2023, but Gisele deserves to be recognized as a major talent in her own right.

19. Casey Phair (Angel City)

Angel City only added to the excitement about its future in January by signing Casey Phair, the third top prospect on its roster for the 2024 season. This came just six months after she made waves by becoming the youngest player in Women's World Cup history, representing South Korea at just 16 years and 26 days old.

This wasn't just a symbolic gesture. Phair is an exciting talent and will be crucial to the national team's future. She also has an important role to play today, highlighted by her hat trick in Olympic qualifying in October.

18. Sheika Scott (Alajuelense)

Another young prospect who played in last year's World Cup at just 16, Sheika Scott is one of the most exciting talents in world football right now. While fans haven't seen much of her potential, given the difficulty of Costa Rica's group, few would argue that she isn't destined to be a great player.

A traditional attacking midfielder, Scott's inspiration has always been Shirley Cruz, the iconic Costa Rican midfielder who won the Champions League twice with Lyon. It's easy to see that Scott has also watched Cruz play extensively because of her ability with the ball.

17. Giulia Dragoni (Barcelona)

It feels like we've heard this story before, but Giulia Dragoni was just 16 when she represented Italy at the 2023 World Cup - but it was a few months before that that she really caught the eye by signing for European champions Barcelona, thus becoming the first foreign player to reside at La Masia.

Although she's playing mostly with the B team at the moment, that's hardly a reason to question the teenager's talent, given the quality at Barcelona. In fact, when Dragoni has had opportunities with the senior team, the glimpses she's shown are enough to convince anyone that she's a real prospect.

16. Clara Luvanga (Al-Nassr)

Until 2022, Tanzania had never participated in either the men's or women's World Cup. Then came Clara Luvanga. No one had scored more goals in the African U-17 qualifying process, with her hat trick in the fourth and final round, away to Cameroon, proving significant in helping the team achieve a historic feat for Tanzanian football.

Now 19, Luvanga is tearing it up in the Saudi Women's Premier League with Al-Nassr and is one of the favorites for this season's Golden Boot. A strong, quick dribbler, and always willing to try new skills, Luvanga is also adept with both feet. She has the potential to become a well-rounded goalscorer.

15. Galic (Melbourne City)

Daniela Galic was just 16 when she was dubbed "the future of Australian football." It was at that age that the talented playmaker went to the U-20 World Cup as the youngest player in her country's squad, and yet she stood out not only for her skill, but also for her maturity and confidence.

Galic possesses an athletic profile that has been compared to stars like Emily van Egmond and Chloe Logarzo, complemented by dribbling ability, excellent movement, and a cannonball right foot. The 17-year-old can play in midfield and on the wings, but it's as a number 10 that her creativity shines.

14. Mia Enderby (Liverpool)

Sheffield United has a knack for developing young talent, and when a homegrown winger left the club, Lucy Watson, for Chelsea, another, Mia Enderby, truly got her chance to prove she could be the next teenager to earn a place in the Women's Super League. Many top-tier clubs were interested even before her seven goals in 12 Championship appearances, and it was Liverpool who secured the 18-year-old's signature.

A few injuries have hampered her first season on Merseyside, but Enderby appears to be in the perfect place to improve and become one of England's most attractive forwards.

13. Alice Soto (Pachuca)

There's been so much hype surrounding Alice Soto for so long that it's natural to worry about her ability to live up to it. However, the midfielder, who debuted in Liga MX at age 13, continues to impress with her progress.

Soto's contributions to Mexico's victory in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship last year, particularly her stoppage-time goal in the semifinal, earned her the tournament's Golden Ball award, despite being just 17 years old. She also appears to be on track for her best Liga MX goal tally this season with Pachuca. It's all positive for the youngster from Mexico.

12. Lily Yohannes (Ajax)

One of the rising stars of this season's Women's Champions League, Lily Yohannes has been turning heads for an Ajax team that overcame Bayern Munich and Roma to reach the quarterfinals for the first time. The youngest player to start a UWCL group match at 16, Yohannes moved from the US to the Netherlands at 10, was quickly discovered by Ajax, signed a professional contract at 15, and is already a key figure in the first team.

A versatile, visionary attacking midfielder, Yohannes is quite intelligent, but perhaps most impressive is how quickly she has adapted perfectly to the highest level of football.

11. Ana Maria Guzman (Bayern Munich)

World Cup qualifiers make even the most experienced players nervous, so imagine an 18-year-old making her debut in such a match. But if Ana Maria Guzman was apprehensive before Colombia's round of 16 clash with Jamaica last year, she didn't show it. In fact, it was the full-back who unlocked the Reggae Girlz's solid defense, her perfect sideways pass finding Catalina Usme, who turned it into the only goal of the match.

Guzman has since transferred to Bayern Munich, and although a knee injury has delayed the start of her new chapter, she has the mentality and quality to thrive with the German champions.

10. Sara Ortega (Athletic Bilbao)

Spain's youth forwards often receive more attention, but Sara Ortega is someone who deserves to be considered a star for the future as well. At 19, she has been a consistent starter at all youth levels for La Roja, crowned world champion with the U-17 team in 2022 and European champion with the U-19 team a year later, but she has also shown that she can excel at the professional level.

Ortega was just 16 when she debuted for Athletic Bilbao in Liga F and has since become a regular starter for the Basque club, whether as a full-back, in midfield, or even further forward. Technically excellent, the 19-year-old understands the game like few others, which allows her to be so versatile. It's no surprise that Bilbao offered her a new contract earlier this year—her future is incredibly promising.

9. Dudinha (São Paulo)

When Brazil finished third at the U-20 World Cup last year, several members of the squad received praise from Pia Sundhage, then the senior team coach, and Dudinha was among them. "The way Dudinha finds solutions surprised me," said the Swede. "You think she's going to do one thing, but she does another. She's truly unpredictable." At youth level, the 18-year-old thrived, also shining for the U-17 national team, but how would she fare at senior level? We've only had glimpses of the answer to that question, given her lack of opportunities with São Paulo until last year.

As the club's starter in 2023, Dudinha's talent was there for all to see, with excellent ball control, a drive to make things happen, and dangerous long-range shots. She's still developing, of course, but Brazil appears to have another gem on its hands.

8. Momoko Tanikawa (Bayern Munich - on loan to Rosengard)

Few players on this list will be as exciting to watch in 2024 as Momoko Tanikawa. After shining at the 2022 U-17 World Cup with her long-range shooting—with both feet, it's worth noting—the Japanese playmaker landed in Europe, signing with Bayern Munich and joining Rosengard on loan in the Swedish league to develop.

Tanikawa's exceptional performances at that World Cup didn't receive as much attention as they should have, likely due to Japan's elimination in the quarterfinals, but make no mistake—this 18-year-old is one of the most talented youngsters on the planet. She's gifted, with enviable ball control and refined technique, and her confidence in her own foot, taking long-range shots and easily dribbling past opposing defenses, makes her a winner as well. It will be fascinating to see how the experiences she gains this year will help her develop.

7. Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns)

Few on this list have been as prominent as Olivia Moultrie. Her 2021 decision to file a lawsuit against the NWSL, the top league in the United States, has changed a lot. The rule that players must be 18 or older to play in the division has since been removed, and this has allowed several high-profile young talents to thrive, including Moultrie.

A versatile midfielder, she has made over 50 starts for one of the best teams in the US, starting more than half of those games for the Portland Thorns and helping them win the 2022 NWSL Championship. Moultrie is now making an impact at the international level, showing strong finishing in her full debut for the USWNT at this year's Gold Cup, scoring two goals. Playing at the highest level seems to come so easily to her—and she's only 18.

6. Wieke Kaptein (Chelsea - on loan to Twente)

"Wise beyond her years" may be a term often used with young talent, but it describes Wieke Kaptein so well. After all, it takes true maturity to become a key part of a title-contending team at 16, but that's exactly what this Dutch star did when he joined Twente at the start of the 2021-22 season. Over the past two and a half years, Kaptein has helped the club win seven trophies, a total that will likely increase in the coming months.

More trophies would be a great way to say goodbye, as the teenager is currently on loan after signing with Chelsea last summer. Breaking into the Blues squad won't be easy, but Kaptein isn't inexperienced. She may only be 18, but she already plays for the Netherlands and could fit in well with the English champions.

5. Signe Gaupset (Brann)

There's a lot of anticipation in Norway for Signe Gaupset. Just 17 when she stole the show in the Norwegian Cup final, scoring two goals and providing an assist as Brann beat Stabaek 3-1, teammate Tuva Hansen commented: "She's a completely unique talent. She works so well that I forget she's 17. Words can't describe how good she is."

This expectation is extending beyond her homeland as well. Gaupset's possession, shooting, and creativity have caught the eye in the Women's Champions League this season, and it was she who came up with a 90th-minute equalizer to secure a historic draw against Lyon in December, helping Brann reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

Her style of play is certainly attracting the attention of clubs abroad, and it seems only a matter of time before Gaupset moves on to further develop her talent. But the 18-year-old has her head on straight, and after seeking advice from her more experienced teammates, she's not rushing anything.

"Something they say - and I think so too - is that there's no pressure to leave," he told GOAL last year. "I think I have a lot to improve here in Norway and at Brann. I want to play here until I find the right club." This maturity only reinforces the belief that she will reach her potential and become Norway's next superstar.

4. Mara Alber (Hoffenheim)

With just three minutes remaining in regulation time in the 2022 UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship final, it looked like Spain would lift the trophy. Germany had taken an early lead, but their opponents fought back, and it looked like Carla Camacho's header would be enough to secure the title.

But Germany was still pressing, and when Jella Veit passed the ball to Mara Alber on the left wing, the young striker had only one thing in mind. She feigned a winger, intending to advance toward the byline and cross, but then moved inside, found space, and, from the edge of the box, unleashed a curling shot past the goalkeeper. Germany remained in the game, the game went to penalties, and after a tense contest, Alber and her teammates were crowned European champions.

A Bronze Ball winner at the U-17 Women's World Cup that followed a few months later, the most impressive aspect of Alber's young career so far is how she has translated those thrilling youth team performances to the professional level. At 18, she has been a standout performer for Hoffenheim in her first full season with the senior team. Her skill on the ball, captivating dribbling, and mentality are enviable and have proven difficult to stop in the Bundesliga.

3. Aline Gomes (Railway)

When analyzing a good striker, it's their decision-making, skill, dribbling, or something similar that stands out. When observing Aline Gomes, it's her overall soccer intelligence. For an 18-year-old to be so perceptive in reading the game, understanding how a play will develop, and anticipating it is quite remarkable. Combine that with her speed, dribbling ability, and a final product that's already quite impressive for someone so young, and you have her: one of the world's top talents.

Another player who excelled at youth level, Aline had a very convincing year in 2023 as a professional. Scoring 10 goals in 16 games for Ferroviária, she trailed only three players in the Brazilian Championship scoring charts after an impressive performance that earned her her first call-up to the Brazilian national team. "The way Aline has taken off—the way she dribbles past opponents, uses space, and is a threat on the flanks—has been truly impressive," said Sundhage after the 2022 U-20 World Cup.

But Aline also impressed Pia's successor, Arthur Elias, and was called up to this year's CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup squad. It's no surprise, as her talent is obvious. Capable, but also requiring patience to wait for the right option, the 18-year-old has the potential to be a leading striker in women's football.

2. Vicky Lopez (Barcelona)

It's hard not to be excited by Vicky Lopez's ability. A promising talent from the youth ranks, named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 U-17 Euros and awarded the Ballon d'Or at the U-17 World Cup the previous year, the simple and effortless way she has fitted into Barcelona's first team since joining the club in 2022 has been the biggest indication yet of her future.

Despite being only 17 years old, lacking professional experience or tournaments like the Champions League, and playing on a team packed with the world's greatest players, she still commands attention. Whether with a stunning pass, an unexpected dribble, or a textbook shot, Lopez possesses match-winning decisiveness, but she also understands the high-level game like few others, something crucial to success at Barcelona.

For a player who looked up to Alexia Putellas in Catalonia, the gains she'll gain from being around players of that caliber every day will be invaluable. "Now I see myself as a different player compared to when I arrived," she recently told AS . "I think I've grown because of everything I learn from them." At just 17, she's still going to reach new heights, and it'll be really cool to watch.

1. Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)