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Cavan Sullivan is turning heads throughout U.S. soccer, but it is his teammate Zavier Gozo who is carrying the torch in Lionel Messi's latest selection of 10 young talents to watch around the world.
The initiative dates back to 2015, when an adidas campaign called "Backed by Messi" ran for two years before being put on hold, only to be relaunched in 2024 — making this the sixth edition in which Messi has thrown his support behind 10 promising youngsters.
The USMNT had no shortage of candidates for this list following a camp that showcased several exciting young players. Sullivan may have grabbed most of the attention, but having already appeared on Messi's list two years prior, it is 19-year-old winger Gozo who earns the recognition this time.
Crystal Palace shelled out $15 million to secure Gozo's services in the summer, a reward for an outstanding 18-month stint in Major League Soccer with Real Salt Lake. During the 2026 season, Gozo netted six goals and added four assists in just 16 MLS appearances before making the leap to Europe.
Much like Sullivan, Gozo's strong form earned him a spot in the USMNT's September-October squad, and he marked his international debut with a substitute appearance in the 4–1 victory over Peru.
The 10 Rising Stars Backed by Lionel Messi in 2026
One player from Messi's native Argentina makes the cut. Boca Juniors playmaker Tomás Aranda, 19, has worked his way up through the club's youth system to claim the iconic No. 10 shirt for the first team.
European fans will be well acquainted with Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman, the record-setting 16-year-old hovering on the edge of the England national team. He joins Gozo as the two representatives from the Premier League.
Como winger Jesús Rodríguez has already made a significant impact at senior level, having moved to the Serie A club from Real Betis in a deal worth more than $31 million in the summer of 2025. Likewise, AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit has become a familiar name following months of transfer speculation linking him to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The rumor mill has also zeroed in on 17-year-old Tijuana midfielder Gilberto Mora, widely regarded as Mexican soccer's next great prospect. Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Can Uzun rounds out the male players on the list.
Messi's list also features three female players, beginning with 17-year-old Chelsea left back Chloe Sarwie, who is similarly on the cusp of a major first-team breakthrough. OL Lyonnes midfielder Giovanna Waksman also earns a spot, with the 17-year-old Brazilian having spent three years developing her game in Florida before securing a high-profile move to France.
The versatile Lotta Wrede of Hamburg brings the total to 10.
Messi's Mixed History With Wonderkid Predictions
A look back at Messi's previous selections makes it clear that being included is no guarantee of future stardom.
Timo Werner stands out as the biggest name from the 2015 list, alongside former Manchester United striker James Wilson and ex-Chelsea pair Kenedy and Jeremie Boga. Gyasi Zardes and Khiry Shelton both went on to build solid MLS careers.
A year later, Messi put forward the likes of Davide Calabria and Kasper Dolberg as players to watch, with two MLS talents also featured — Alex Muyl and Kekuta Manneh. Former Chelsea midfielder Nathan and Muangthong United's Chanathip Songkrasin are among those who ultimately fell short of the lofty expectations.
The series was then paused until 2024, when Lamine Yamal headlined the group alongside Philadelphia Union's Sullivan. Juventus winger Kenan Yıldız also featured in that highly regarded cohort.
In 2025, Messi shone a spotlight on a group of youngsters who continue to make an impact today. Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, Como's Nico Paz, Paris Saint-Germain winger Mika Godts, and 19-year-old USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes all received the Inter Miami forward's endorsement, as he looks to put the misses from a decade ago firmly behind him.