The football world is currently buzzing following the unveiling of Lionel Messi's personally curated list of the world's most promising young talents. Launched as part of the Argentine icon’s "Messi +10 - Season 2" campaign, the selection of ten future stars has immediately ignited fierce debate, primarily due to the stunning omission of two high-profile teenage phenoms, including Barcelona’s highly-touted Lamine Yamal.
Despite having previously offered public praise for both Yamal and Real Madrid’s Argentine prodigy, Franco Mastantuono, neither player featured in the final roster of ten. This exclusion has left fans, pundits, and media outlets puzzled, given Yamal's explosive rise at just 18 years old. The Spanish winger has not only cemented himself as a key figure in the Barcelona first team but is widely considered one of European football’s most compelling breakout stars. His absence, in particular, raises questions about the criteria Messi employed for this influential project.
The Context of the 'Messi +10' Campaign
The "Messi +10" initiative is a global campaign developed by the World Cup winner and his brand partners, designed to shine an exclusive spotlight on the next generation of footballing excellence. An endorsement from a player of Messi’s stature is a monumental career boost, effectively labeling the chosen ten as personally approved heirs to the game's elite. Because of the weight of Messi's opinion, the identity of those excluded often generates as much interest as those included.
The list confirms that Messi is looking beyond the most obvious, heavily marketed names, opting instead for a diverse group of talents from across Europe and South America. His focus seems to be on players demonstrating specific, perhaps less traditional, attributes or those achieving milestones that caught his personal attention.
The Surprising Omissions
The decision to exclude Lamine Yamal is arguably the most shocking aspect of the list. Yamal represents the purest continuation of the Barcelona legacy that Messi himself embodies, having emerged from the famed La Masia academy. Given Messi’s deep, emotional connection to the club, the snub of the player many see as his spiritual successor at Camp Nou is highly unconventional. It suggests that for this specific campaign, Messi prioritized players who might be slightly under the radar or who fit a particular profile of grit or unique achievement, rather than simply selecting the most prominent name in the current media cycle.
Similarly, the absence of Franco Mastantuono, the highly-rated teenage midfielder from Real Madrid and a fellow Argentine, further fueled speculation. While the media narrative often focuses on the El Clásico rivals, Messi's decision to bypass a promising compatriot like Mastantuono—while including another Argentine talent, Nico Paz—indicates a selective, personal approach to his endorsements.
Analysis of the Chosen Talents
The list of ten selections is rich with intriguing prospects, demonstrating a global scouting eye that extends beyond the traditional heavy hitters:
Men's Stars:
Nico Paz (Real Madrid - Argentina): The inclusion of Paz is notable as he recently made his senior international debut, even providing an assist for Messi himself during a 6-0 victory against Bolivia in October 2024. This personal connection likely played a key role in his selection.
Kendry Paez (Strasbourg/Chelsea - Ecuador): Already a highly valued South American export, Paez is currently on loan in Ligue 1 and represents a major investment for Chelsea's future.
Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool - England): Ngumoha earned his spot by scoring a dramatic match-winning goal against Newcastle in the Premier League this season, demonstrating the kind of clutch performance that impresses veterans.
Mohamed Kader Meite (Stade Rennais - France): A French youth international, Meite is emerging as a consistent threat in Ligue 1, valued for his role in France’s youth setup.
Brajan Gruda (Brighton - Germany): The dynamic German winger is praised for his explosive pace and exceptional ability in one-versus-one situations, a quality Messi himself mastered.
Mika Godts (Ajax - Belgium): Godts is a versatile attacker whose playing style has drawn comparisons to former Belgian star Eden Hazard, suggesting a blend of skill and agility.
Andrey Santos (Chelsea - Brazil): A defensive orchestrator in the midfield, Santos has earned the trust of Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, logging seven appearances already this season.
Rodrigo Mora (Porto - Portugal): Mora stands out for his raw precociousness, having set a club record by making his professional debut for Porto at the exceptionally young age of just 15.
Inclusion of Female Talents:
Significantly, Messi’s list demonstrates a commitment to recognizing excellence across the entire sport by including two formidable female talents:
Clara Serrajordi (Barcelona - Spain): Described as one of the most complete midfielders in the women’s game, her inclusion acknowledges the phenomenal development of FC Barcelona Femení.
Lily Yohannes (Lyon - USA): A rising star for both her club and the United States Women's National Team, Yohannes is celebrated for her exceptional vision and creative flair.
A List Driven by Personal Vision
Ultimately, the "Messi +10" list is less about confirming consensus and more about revealing the personal vision of one of football’s greatest minds. By bypassing the most obvious choices in favor of a mix of established prospects and burgeoning talents who have achieved specific feats—like an international assist or a professional debut record—Messi has ensured the list is controversial, relevant, and entirely unique. The debate surrounding the snubs only amplifies the attention on the ten players who did make the cut, successfully achieving the project’s goal of spotlighting the future of the beautiful game.
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