Young strikers are always in the spotlight in modern football. They carry the promise of goals, market value, and the excitement of a new generation. As we enter the 2025 season, three of Europe’s top leagues – Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga – are home to some of the most exciting attacking prospects.
This article highlights the standout emerging forwards who are already making waves and could become the next big stars in European football.
What Makes an “Emerging Striker”?
Before diving into individual names, it’s worth clarifying the criteria used:
- Age & stage of career: generally under 24-25, still in the development phase.
- Performance: tangible contributions in goals, assists, or advanced metrics like xG.
- Trust from club or national youth setups: regular minutes, U21/U23 call-ups, or senior bench appearances.
- Trajectory: a realistic chance of progressing toward Champions League or national team level.
With this in mind, here are the young strikers to watch in each league.
Ligue 1: France’s Ever-Reliable Talent Factory
Elye Wahi (France, 22, Eintracht Frankfurt / formerly Montpellier, Lens, Marseille)
Few players have shown the rise of Ligue 1 strikers like Elye Wahi. He stood out while playing for Montpellier, moved to RC Lens, and later joined Marseille before completing a transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt in early 2025. His performances have kept him among the most talked-about names in Ligue 1 stats, where rising talents are constantly measured against established forwards.
- Strengths: Smart positioning, quick turns in the penalty area, versatile finishing.
- Statistics: He has scored notable goals in Ligue 1 before the age of 22, establishing himself as one of the league’s most promising forwards.
- Reason to watch: Wahi has proven himself in France and is waiting for the next step to confirm himself at a higher level, maybe in the Champions League or another major tournament in the future.
Hugo Ekitike (France, 23, ex-PSG/Reims, now Liverpool FC)
Ekitike’s story is almost cinematic: from Reims to Paris Saint-Germain, struggling for minutes, then reborn in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt. His first full season in the Bundesliga saw him register double-digit goals while also leading his side in xG created — a clear signal of untapped potential. In the summer of 2025, he completed a transfer to Liverpool FC, marking the next chapter of his career at one of Europe’s most demanding stages.
- Strengths: aerial ability, hold-up play, adaptability across forward roles.
- Analytics note: xG models suggest he should score more than he currently does, highlighting room for improvement.
- Why watch: A French forward who has already succeeded abroad, Ekitike now faces the ultimate test of proving himself in the Premier League with Liverpool.
Eli Junior Kroupi (France, 18, Lorient)
At just 18, Eli Kroupi has already broken scoring records for Lorient. Agile, quick, and fearless, he represents the new generation of French forwards who combine raw pace with modern pressing instincts.
- Strengths: acceleration, one-on-one ability, creativity in the final third.
- Why watch: Kroupi is still a teenager, but his maturity on the pitch suggests he could become a Ligue 1 breakout star within the next two seasons.
Bundesliga: Where Raw Talent Meets High-Intensity Football
Youssoufa Moukoko (Germany, 20, ex-Borussia Dortmund / now Copenhagen)
Few names in world football have carried the “wonderkid” tag as long as Youssoufa Moukoko. Bursting onto the scene at Borussia Dortmund at just 16, he showed glimpses of brilliance but struggled for consistent minutes. As of late 2025, he remains with Borussia Dortmund, despite past rumors about a move away — a reminder that even highly rated Bundesliga prospects followed on CafeScore face ups and downs in their development.
- Strengths: quick release finishing, intelligent movement in the box, link-up play.
- Why watch: Still only 20, Moukoko has years to rediscover the hype that once surrounded him – and the Bundesliga education has shaped him into a more complete striker.
Maximilian Beier (Germany, 22, Borussia Dortmund)
Mobile, energetic, and intelligent in his runs, Beier has impressed with consistent goal contributions in the Bundesliga. Known for his ability to stretch defenses and deliver in clutch moments, he has quickly become a standout forward.
Why watch: At 22 years old, Beier possesses the tools to develop into a top striker and is already attracting interest from major European clubs following his impressive performances with Borussia Dortmund since his transfer in 2024.
He scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in 2025 and has also been called up to the German national team, showcasing his growing potential on both the club and international stage.
La Liga: Spain’s Creative Spark in Attack
Lamine Yamal (Spain, 17, Barcelona)
While traditionally deployed as a winger, Lamine Yamal has occasionally operated closer to central attacking positions and could evolve into that role in the future. His creativity, flair, and ability to decide games at such a young age have made him one of Barcelona’s crown jewels.
- Strengths: dribbling, vision, unpredictable attacking patterns.
Why watch: At only 17, he’s already a Spanish international. His potential evolution into a central striker role would make him one of the most complete attacking players in Europe.
Other names to keep an eye on
- Abel Ruiz (Braga / ex-Barcelona) returning to Spain could reignite his career.
- Academy talents from Girona, Villarreal, or Real Sociedad who are being groomed as future No. 9s.
Comparing Styles Across the Leagues
- Ligue 1: Focus on technical finishing, agility, and tactical awareness. A perfect launchpad for exports.
- Bundesliga: High-intensity pressing and physical demands accelerate development but test consistency.
- La Liga: Emphasis on flair, creativity, and tactical intelligence, producing strikers who can link play and score.
This explains why strikers like Wahi and Ekitike often start in France, refine themselves in Germany, and eventually become transfer targets for Spanish or Premier League giants.
The Role of Data & Scouting
Modern recruitment doesn’t rely on goals alone. Advanced analytics and scouting networks have transformed how strikers are assessed:
- xG (Expected Goals) reveals hidden efficiency or underperformance (e.g., Ekitike’s gap between chances and goals).
- Heatmaps & pressing stats show off-ball contributions crucial in modern systems.
- Scouting platforms like Wyscout or InStat give clubs deeper insights beyond raw numbers.
For readers, following these analytics platforms or academy reports is a great way to track tomorrow’s stars before they hit the headlines.
What to Expect by 2026
- Elye Wahi: Could become a 20-goal striker in a top-five league.
- Hugo Ekitike: On track to return to the Champions League spotlight.
- Eli Kroupi: Likely to secure a big-club move if his form continues.
- Moukoko: A comeback story still being written.
- Lamine Yamal: The next global superstar- whether as a winger or striker.
Final Thoughts
European football is entering a new striker era. While the likes of Haaland and Mbappé dominate the global stage, the next wave is already here: Wahi, Ekitike, Kroupi, Moukoko, and Yamal. Each represents not only raw talent but also the evolution of their respective leagues’ philosophies.
For scouts, fans, and analysts, keeping an eye on these players could mean watching the birth of the next Ballon d’Or candidate. For clubs, investing early might be the smartest move of the decade.
