Serie A Best Young Players 2025-26: The Next Generation of Italian Football
Serie A has always been a league that develops young talent. From Maldini to Totti to Barella, Italian football produces players who combine technical skill with tactical intelligence. This season, a new generation is emerging. Here are the best young players in Serie A.
1. Kenan Yıldız (Juventus, 20)
The Turkish winger is the breakout star of the season. He plays on the left wing for Juventus and has scored 10 goals and provided 7 assists. His dribbling is exceptional — he beats defenders with a combination of pace, skill, and intelligence. He's been compared to a young Robben, and the comparison isn't far off. Every big club in Europe is watching him.
2. Nicolò Savona (Juventus, 21)
Savona has emerged as one of the best young defenders in Serie A. He plays right-back for Juventus and combines defensive solidity with attacking quality. His crossing is excellent, and his positioning is mature beyond his years. He's already been called up to the Italian national team.
3. Santiago Castro (Bologna, 21)
The Argentine striker has been a revelation at Bologna. He's scored 11 goals in his first full Serie A season, and his all-round game — the hold-up play, the movement, the finishing — is impressive. He's the type of modern striker that every team wants: mobile, intelligent, and clinical.
4. Cher Ndour (Napoli, 20)
The Italian-Senegalese midfielder has been excellent on loan at Napoli. His passing range is exceptional, and his ability to control the tempo of games is remarkable for a 20-year-old. He's been compared to Jorginho, and he has the potential to be even better.
5. Matteo Pafundi (Udinese, 19)
Pafundi is the most technically gifted young player in Serie A. His close control, his dribbling, and his creativity are extraordinary. He's still raw — his decision-making needs to improve, and he needs to add physicality — but the talent is undeniable. He's the type of player who could become a star or fade away, and it'll depend on his development over the next 2-3 years.
Honorable mentions
Daniel Maldini (Monza, 23): Yes, that Maldini. Paolo's son is carving out his own career at Monza, and he's been one of the best attacking midfielders in the league this season. He's different from his father — more creative, less defensive — but the football intelligence is clearly genetic.
Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta, 22): The center-back has been excellent for Atalanta. His passing from the back is exceptional, and his defensive positioning is improving every season. He's the future of the Italian national team's defense.
Serie A's next generation is exciting. The league is producing young players who are technically skilled, tactically intelligent, and ready to compete at the highest level. Italian football's future is bright.