Two Premier League talents feature on Lionel Messi's latest list of 10 rising stars to watch across the world.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been picking out players who he believes will shape the next era of football since 2015 in partnership with Adidas.
Rebranded in 2024, the latest list is Messi's sixth and comes shortly after the Argentine bid farewell to the international scene following his 126th and final goal for his country earlier this month.
Arsenal's teenage sensation Max Dowman heads the list of Messi's future talents in a glowing endorsement for the Hale End academy star.
Dowman made his senior debut in August 2025 and become the Premier League's youngest goalscorer when he netted Arsenal's second goal in the 2-0 win over Everton last season.
Comparisons have been drawn to Messi by the likes of John Terry and Dowman has already showcased his exceptional abilities this campaign with a brace against Ipswich Town in the EFL Cup.
The winger is accompanied by Crystal Palace's Zavier Gozo on Messi's future stars list.
Palace signed the highly-rated American prospect from Real Salt Lake for a reported £11.1million in August after a breakthrough season where he scored six goals and contributed four assists in just 16 MLS games.
His impressive form resulted in Mauricio Pochettino naming the forward in his USMNT side during the international break and Gozo made his debut in the 4-1 win over Peru.
Gozo's appearances in the Premier League have been fleeting so far as he's come off the bench twice in defeats to Manchester City and Ipswich Town, accumulating 28 minutes of action.
Also featuring on the list is Como winger Jesus Rodriguez, who delivered 11 goal contributions for Cesc Fabregas' side in Serie A last season, and AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, who made his senior Netherlands debut in March 2026.
England fans that stayed up to watch the Three Lions' iconic 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca will be aware of Gilberto Mora and the Tijuana midfielder is also included.
Aged 20, Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Can Uzun is one of the more senior names on Messi's list, while Boca Juniors ace Tomas Aranda is the only Argentine to be included, albeit one that Messi knows extremely well.
Three female players complete Messi's top 10 with Chelsea's Chloe Sarwie earning recognition.
The precocious defender made her professional debut last season and featured for England in the Under-20 World Cup.
Accompanying Sarwie from the women's game is OL Lyonnes' Brazilian youth international Giovanna Waksman and Frauen-Bundesliga star Lotta Wrede.
Lionel Messi's top 10 future stars
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
- Zavier Govo (Crystal Palace)
- Jesús Rodríguez (Como)
- Tomas Aranda (Boca Juniors)
- Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar)
- Gilberto Mora (Tijuana)
- Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea Women)
- Giovanna Waksman (OL Lyonnes)
- Lotta Wrede (Hamburger Frauen)
