One of the many great things about FIFA, FC, Football Manager, or any other football title is that you get to have your finger on the pulse of what is happening across the globe. Where armchair fans tend to stick to just their own domestic leagues – or even just their own clubs – gamers need to keep up with what is going on to strengthen their own gameplay.
With continual updates to all the best games, any players coming through and proving their worth in the top leagues will soon be highly coveted by gamers looking for the edge needed to succeed in their own games, leagues, and tournaments. It is not just punters checking out the latest Xbet reviews to find the best place to bet who are keen to discover the next Kylian Mbappé or the new Erling Haaland.
With so much coverage of global leagues and even age-range tournaments these days, it is becoming more and more rare for a player to emerge completely unknown. That is why it is crucial to know who the breakout players are. Here are four that are starting to set stadiums alight this season – and could be set to dominate the game in the years ahead.
Gilberto Mora, Club Tijuana
When a young player breaks into his club and national teams, it is usually in a position that can be very important but doesn’t come with as much responsibility – a pacey winger with an array of tricks, for example. Controlling the midfield is left to much more experienced players, but Gilberto Mora is already showing why he has been entrusted with that duty for Club Tijuana and the Mexico national team.
Raised in Tijuana, Mora joined the local club at the age of 10 and broke into the first team when he was still just 15. He has shown much more maturity than most, making his debut for Mexico in the Gold Cup quarterfinal last year, before helping El Tri beat the US in the final. He is already into his second season as a professional, and much is expected of him at the World Cup this summer. He is already learning English, and a move to one of Europe’s big five leagues cannot be too far off.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Chicago Fire
It is promising to be a good year for South Africa. After reemerging onto the global scene by finishing third at the 2023 AFCON, Bafana Bafana made it to the knockout rounds this time around and will be making their way to North America for the World Cup this summer. At the heart of the team’s defense will be Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
He only made his international debut in May of last year, but his recent performances at AFCON showed just how far he has come in such a short space of time. Tasked with looking after Mo Salah in the group game against Egypt, he coped admirably and will now be looking to get some game time for his new side, Chicago Fire, ahead of the tournament in the summer. His national boss would have preferred that Mbokazi had gone to Europe, but some experience in MLS should really benefit this young star, who plays like an experienced veteran.
Ayden Heaven, Manchester United
This season has been as chaotic as ever at Manchester United. But, even with all the upheavals and managerial changes, the Red Devils could be on course for qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in three seasons. The United defense hasn’t always been impeccable, but Ayden Heaven has received more praise than most.
Coming up through the Arsenal youth system, Heaven played just one game for his hometown club before becoming the first signing of the Ruben Amorim era at Manchester United. He has since become something of a regular in the first team, providing excellent ball-playing ability and awareness. Amorim has now departed the club, of course, but Heaven seems to be set for an extended stay at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Franco Mastantuono, Real Madrid
This young Argentine playmaker first caught the eye at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2023, while still playing in the River Plate youth team. He had earlier turned down the opportunity to play for the legendary club as he wanted to pursue a tennis career. That sport’s loss is football’s gain, however, as his performances in Argentina earned him a big-money move to La Liga’s Real Madrid last year.
Xabi Alonso was such a fan of Mastantuono that he regularly started him ahead of a number of far more experienced players at the Bernabéu. He was expected to continue to develop this season before Alonso was relieved of his duties. Now the future looks a little more unclear for Mastantuono, with rumors that Chelsea may be interested in taking him to England on a loan or permanent deal. Hopefully, wherever Mastantuono ends up, he will be given the same opportunities to stake a claim as given to him by Alonso, as he has the promise to be yet another world-class Argentinian midfielder.