Every football fan loves discovering the next big thing—a player who’s about to take the game by storm, but not all future stars are in the spotlight just yet. Some of the most exciting talents are making waves outside Europe’s top five leagues, waiting for their big break. In this article, we highlight couple young, up-and-coming players flying under the radar,hidden in football’s shadows. They may not be widely recognized yet, but their talent and potential are impossible to ignore. These are the next hidden talents,that you need to know about before they hit the big stage.
Name: Martin Baturina
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Age: 21
Market Value: 20 000 000 e
Description
Croatia, especially Dinamo Zagreb, is renowned for producing world-class football talent. For a country with a population of less than 4 million, this achievement is remarkable and showcases their deep passion for the game.
Dinamo Zagreb has been a talent factory for years, developing some of football’s biggest midfield stars. Legendary names like Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Dani Olmo, and Marcelo Brozovic all came through the club’s ranks.
Now, all eyes are on Baturina, the latest rising star from Dinamo. His skills and performances in the iconic blue jersey are turning heads and fueling excitement about his future. If history is any guide, Baturina is destined to follow in the footsteps of his famous predecessors.
Skills
Baturina is a highly intelligent and adaptable midfielder, capable of excelling in multiple tactical setups. He thrives with the ball at his feet, embodying the qualities of a true playmaker who can operate seamlessly across all midfield roles. His refined technique, including superb ball control, agility in tight spaces, and the ability to outmaneuver opponents one-on-one, makes him a constant creative force.
What truly distinguishes him is his unique understanding of the game, marked by inventive thinking, sharp positional awareness, and remarkable accuracy in distributing the ball. Whether orchestrating the flow of play or injecting energy into his team’s attacks, Baturina does so with precision and confidence.
Potential future clubs
It’s clear that Martin Baturina has outgrown the Croatian League. His standout performances in this season’s Champions League have only solidified his reputation as a top talent. Last summer, his name was linked to clubs like Fiorentina, Roma, and Liverpool.Now, the latest interest comes from Manchester United. With the team struggling this season, Baturina could be the perfect solution for Ruben Amorim. His creativity, technical ability, and versatility in midfield make him an exciting prospect for any top-tier club.
Name: Estevao
Position: Attacking Right Winger
Age: 17
Market Value: 50 000 000 e
Description
Estevao Willian maybe the most exciting talent, making waves outside Europe. He is a standout product of the Palmeiras academy, a renowned youth system that has developed numerous exceptional talents over the years.
Widely regarded as one of the most gifted U17 players in South America, Estevao has captured the attention of football professionals and fans alike. Many even consider him the brightest Brazilian talent since Neymar, highlighting his immense potential and promising future in the sport.
Skills
The young left-footer, celebrated for his inventiveness, ball control, and sharp awareness, boasts impressive technical ability, quick footwork, and excellent balance. These qualities make him a formidable challenge for defenders in one-on-one situations.
While there’s room for improvement in his defensive contributions, his attacking flair makes him a standout player. With his immense talent, he has the potential to significantly impact both his club and national team. A naturally creative talent, he boasts outstanding technical skills and thrives in a free attacking role, where he has the liberty to roam the field and exploit pockets of space. Known for his flair, he excels at dribbling, executing quick one-twos with teammates, and using his skills to outsmart defenders, often cutting inside to create scoring opportunities.
His powerful and accurate shooting ability from mid to long range makes him a constant threat, capable of scoring stunning goals from outside the box. Whether operating wide and attacking directly or playing centrally to break through defensive lines. He has the unique ability to make a decisive impact at any moment. Scoring 13 goals and providing 9 assists in 31 games last season is clear evidence of his remarkable abilities and impact on the pitch.
Future club
Position: Left Midfield
Age: 20
Market Value: 16 000 000 e
Description
El Hadji Malick Diouf, a Senegalese talent currently playing for Slavia Prague in the Czech Chance Liga, has one of the most fascinating football journeys. What excites me most about scouting is witnessing a player’s path unfold, and Diouf’s story is a perfect example.
He began his career at Mawade Wade, an academy in Senegal that was relatively unknown in Europe, before making a move to Tromsø in Norway for just €50,000. After only 11 months, he transferred to Slavia Prague for €2.5 million. Now, at just 20 years old, his market value has skyrocketed to €16 million. He is currently one of the biggest talents in the Czech Republic, and it seems unlikely that he will stay there for long.
Skills
The player boasts strong physical attributes, making him highly competitive in ground duels. His versatility is another standout feature—he can play multiple positions on the left side, including left-back, full-back, and left midfield. He has even stepped in as a central left defender on occasion. This kind of flexibility is a dream for any coach, as it allows for tactical adaptability and depth.
He also possesses exceptional speed and acceleration, using his long legs to gain an advantage over opponents. Combined with his excellent ball control, he draws comparisons to former Manchester City player Yaya Toure. This ability to glide past players with ease, while maintaining control, makes him a constant threat on the pitch.
In addition, he frequently makes forward runs and becomes a significant threat in the final third. His stats this season back up his impact: 18 games, 6 goals, and 3 assists. For a left midfielder with heavy defensive responsibilities, these are impressive numbers that highlight his offensive contribution.
Potential future clubs
Senegal’s 20-year-old left wing-back, El Hadji Malick Diouf, has become a hot commodity ahead of the January transfer window. His physical attributes make him a perfect fit for the Premier League, as evidenced by interest from clubs like Liverpool, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. With multiple teams knocking on Slavia’s door, Diouf’s rising reputation positions the club to achieve the biggest transfer sale in its history.
Name: Joel Ordonez
Position: Centre – Back
Age: 20
Market Value: 18 000 000 e
Description
When it comes to Ecuadorian football, Independiente del Valle stands out as one of the top teams in the country, not just for their domestic success but for their exceptional youth development system. Well known for producing world-class talent, their academy has shaped the careers of stars like Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie earning them recognition as a true football talent factory.
Since joining Club Brugge in July 2023 as an 18-year-old, Ordonez has established himself as a standout player in the right center-back position. Over the past 18 months, he has delivered a series of impressive performances, showcasing his talent and reliability on the field.So far, Ordonez has made over 50 appearances for Club Brugge, including all six Champions League games this season. These matches have provided him with invaluable experience at this critical stage of his career, helping him develop further as a player.
Skills
Joel Ordonez has quickly established himself as a reliable and skillful defender, showcasing a huge ability to read the game and perform above average in the defensive duels. The Ecuadorian international demonstrates impressive positional awareness, often defending on the front foot just outside the penalty box, always accurate in the ground duels as well.
As the most impressive attribute I will point out his tackling precision stands out, with the ability to win possession cleanly, even in challenging scenarios, such as dispossessing forwards from behind without committing fouls. Heavily involved in clearing danger, particularly inside the penalty area, where his interceptions highlight his sharp anticipation and decision-making. Averaging around seven defensive duels, his consistency and high success rate further underline his potential as an elite center-back.
Potential future clubs
As Ordonez continues to develop into an elite center-back, it’s only a matter of time before a move to a top-tier club follows. His standout performances have already caught the attention of Premier League giants, with Chelsea showing significant interest. A move to Stamford Bridge would see him join his Ecuadorian teammate Moises Caicedo, strengthening the defensive line for the Blues. Newcastle is also reportedly keeping an eye on the young defender.
With his proven quality, it’s clear that Ordonez won’t remain in Belgium for much longer. Top clubs in Germany and Italy could also be ideal destinations, where his style of play would thrive in some of Europe’s most competitive leagues.
