Real Madrid & Barça’s Next Gen: Stars to Watch in 2025

With the recent rise of talents like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, and Raúl Asencio at Barcelona and Real Madrid, who will be the next stars to come out of La Liga’s top clubs? Let’s explore.

Toni Fernández (FC Barcelona, 16 years old, winger)

At just 16 years and a few days old, he became the youngest goalscorer for Barça B. This Catalan winger is a formidable right-sided player who can adapt to any attacking role.

While he possesses the traits of a traditional wide player—being a skilled dribbler, fast, and capable of making impactful plays—he also brings a creative flair and a unique vision to the game that is uncommon for someone in his position.

During the summer pre-season under Hansi Flick, his left-footed talent caught the attention of many, and he is currently working to establish himself with the reserve team this season. The Barça coaching staff recognizes the potential in this rough diamond and is eager to refine his skills, giving Toni Fernández a strong chance to showcase his abilities in an official match with the first team next year.

Guille Fernández (FC Barcelona, 16 years old, midfielder)

He is Toni’s cousin and stands out as one of the most promising young talents at FC Barcelona. Having joined Jorge Mendes’ team at just 15, he made headlines by debuting with Barça B at 15 years and 9 months, breaking Lamine Yamal’s record.

Guille is a technically skilled midfielder, a hallmark of La Masia, but he also possesses impressive physical strength for his age, allowing him to advance into the opponent’s area with ease.

His style is more unpredictable and dynamic compared to many of his peers at La Masia, making him a valuable asset for his coaches and a potential key player for Barça’s manager. Hansi Flick is familiar with him and has already included him in the first team this season, although he hasn’t started yet.

Dani Rodríguez (FC Barcelona, 19 years old, Winger)

Currently, he is the most promising young player at La Masia with a strong chance of moving up to the first team. For years, he has been seen as the club’s brightest prospect, and we might have already seen him play under Hansi Flick if not for an injury he sustained in August.

Now back in action since late November, he has quickly made an impact with impressive performances for Barça B. As a winger who can operate on either flank, he excels at dribbling and can change the game with remarkable ease. His natural ability to take on defenders is increasingly rare, reminiscent of talents like Lamine Yamal. Additionally, he is an outstanding finisher.

Daniel Yáñez (Real Madrid, 17 years old, Winger-Forward)

He made his first-team debut earlier this month, coming on as a substitute against Girona in the second half. It seems likely that we will see more of him under Carlo Ancelotti. A starting striker for the Youth League team, the Spaniard is known for his speed and intelligence on the field.

As an attacking player, he doesn’t typically take long-range shots and is often deployed on the right side of the attack, where he enjoys dropping back to get involved in the play or to create space for runs down the flanks or through the middle. Although some coaches had concerns about his relatively slight build, he quickly proved them wrong with his strong work ethic, exemplary mentality, and a particularly aggressive and intense style of play.

Jesús Fortea (Real Madrid, 17 years old, Right back)

As Real Madrid searches for a successor to Dani Carvajal, who is nearing the end of his career, they may have already found a solution within their own ranks. Acquired from Atlético Madrid, which sparked a rivalry between the two clubs, he is seen as the young player with the best chance of securing a long-term spot in the first team soon.

An attacking full-back, he has garnered praise from observers and experts alike for his ability to energize the flanks and his physical strength. He plays a crucial role in his teams’ offensive strategies, though he will need to improve his defensive skills to compete at the highest level.

Joan Martínez (Real Madrid, 17 years old, Central defender)

He made a significant impact during pre-season at Real Madrid. At just 16, Carlo Ancelotti brought him along on the summer tour, where he caught everyone’s attention. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury during that same summer preparation, which has kept him from playing with the first team since then.

Standing at an impressive 1.90 m, he leverages his height to excel in duels and aerial challenges. Beyond his physical attributes, he possesses strong technical skills. His ability to read the game and anticipate plays has led the club’s leaders to draw comparisons to Sergio Ramos. Once he fully recovers from his injury, he is expected to be quickly reintegrated by the Italian coach, and his potential is one of the reasons the club has opted not to sign a new central defender despite the ongoing injuries and absences.