FIFA 23 Best Young Players: Star players about to hit their prime

Everyone wants to sign the next big thing in football, and these FIFA 23 best young players will allow you to do just that. The quality of young footballers has been growing recently, and some of the best players in football are young players.

FIFA 23's career mode offers players the chance to take their favourite team to ultimate footballing glory, but to do that you will need some of these players in your squad.

These players will be brilliant in EA Sports FC too, so you can get a step ahead of the competition here.

All ratings correct as of 21 April, 2023

FIFA 23 best young players

Just like wonderkids, we need to define what we mean by young players before we get started. Here you will find the very best players in FIFA 23 that start career mode aged between 20 and 24. That means they have aged out of our wonderkid lists, but are not yet in the prime of their career.

FIFA 23 MBAPPE
expand image
CERTIFIED STAR - Kylian Mbappe will be the best young talent in FIFA 23

However, it does mean they usually have some growing to do and a high potential to reach. With more game time and training these players can improve under your careful guidance and become even better.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at the FIFA 23 best young players!

Kylian Mbappe (91 OVR - 95 POT)

Team: PSG

Position: LW, ST

Age: 23

Nation: France

There isn't much that needs to be said about Kylian Mbappe. He burst onto the scene with Monaco and was quickly snapped up by PSG where he has been ever since. The French forward is well on his way to becoming an all-time great player, with 12 World Cup goals to his name already, just four short of the record.

Kylian Mbappe taking a shot in FIFA 23
expand image
GOLDEN BOOT - Mbappe is unstoppable

Mbappe is the best player in FIFA 23 along with being the best young player. He has an unrivalled 97 acceleration, 97 sprint speed, 93 dribbling, and 93 finishing. He'll run past any defender and beat any goalkeeper. He is inevitable.

Erling Haaland (89 OVR - 94 POT)

Team: Man City

Position: ST

Age: 21

Nation: Norway

Man City's brilliant summer signing Earling Haaland is next on our list. Haaland has been on every radar since his days at RB Salzburg and is perhaps the best out-and-out striker we have seen in a generation.

Earling Haaland in FIFA 23
expand image
FORCE OF NATURE - Earling Haaland is too much for defenders to handle

Somehow, Haaland's FIFA 23 attributes don't seem to do his play this season justice. He starts FIFA 23 with 94 shot power, 94 sprint speed, 94 finishing, 93 strength, and 92 positioning. He can physically out-muscle most centre backs and utilise his massive 6'5" frame. Haaland is game-breaking in the right hands.

Gianluigi Donnarumma (88 OVR - 92 POT)

Team: PSG

Position: GK

Age: 23

Nation: Italy

Gianluigi Donnarumma has always been destined for greatness. He was the archetypical wonderkid when he came through with AC Milan, a star even before making his first-team debut which he did at the age of 16. Shortly after that he won the #1 job with Italy and has never looked back.

Gianluigi Donnarumma in FIFA 23
expand image
BRICK WALL - Donnarumma is one of the best goalies in FIFA

Donnarumma is an excellent goalkeeper in FIFA 23. He has 90 diving, 89 reflexes, 85 reactions, and 85 positioning. His 36 short passing isn't great even for a goalie, but his 6'5" frame means he can claim crosses and makes him a great penalty stopper too.

Vinicius Jr (86 OVR - 92 POT)

Team: Real Madrid

Position: LW

Age: 21

Nation: Brazil

Of course Vinicius Jr features on this list! Real Madrid's electric winger is once again lighting up La Liga and the Champions League. He looks set to be the next geat Madrid icon.

Vinicius Jr celebrates in FIFA 23
expand image
SAMBA STAR - Vinicius Jr has delivered on his huge move to Madrid

In FIFA 23 Vinicius is a deadly left winger. He starts career mode with 95 acceleration, 95 sprint speed, 94 agility, 92 dribbling, and 84 finishing. He is right-footed, so just right for cutting in off the wing and driving toward goal.

Federico Valverde (86 OVR - 91 POT)

Team: Real Madrid

Position: CM

Age: 23

Nation: Uruguay

Here's one you might not have expected, but Federico Valverde has very quietly become an incredible player. Often overshadowed by his midfield partners Luka Modric & Toni Kroos, Valverde is one for the future of Real Madrid.

Federico Valverde in FIFA 23
expand image
HIDDEN GEM - Valverde is often overlooked

In FIFA 23 Valverde is a perfect do-in-all midfielder. He's got 91 sprint speed, 89 stamina, 87 long passing, 86 short passing, and 82 standing tackle. He can play at the base as a stopper or more advanced and create centrally. He's even got 76 finishing to bang in a few goals too.

Even more FIFA 23 best young players

Player
Team
Position
Age
OVR
POT
Christopher Nkunku
RB Leipzig
CAM, LW, CF
24
86
89
Gregor Kobel
Borussia Dortmund
GK
24
86
89
Theo Hernandez
AC Milan
LB
24
85
90
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal
CAM, CM
23
85
89
Matthijs de Ligt
Bayern Munich
CB
22
85
89
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool
RB
23
85
88
Lautaro Martinez
Inter
ST
24
85
88
Marcus Rashford
Manchester United
LW, ST
24
85
88
Dusan Vlahovic
Juventus
ST
22
84
91
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal
RW
20
84
90
Rafael Leao
AC Milan
LW, CF, ST
23
84
90
Phil Foden
Man City
LW, RW
22
84
90
Victor Osimhen
Napoli
ST
23
84
90
Alphonso Davies
Bayern Munich
LB
21
84
89
Alessandro Bastoni
Inter
CB
23
84
89

Still not enough? We've broken down the best young players by position below, so you can find exactly what you need!

Best young goalkeepers

There is a nice selection of FIFA 23 young goalkeepers kicking around who are yet to make a big move to an elite European team. While keepers usually peak in their late 20s or early 30s, grabbing one young can be a great way to save money.

Name
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Gianluigi Donnarumma
PSG
23
88
92
Gregor Kobel
Borussia Dortmund
24
86
89
Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal
24
82
86
Diogo Costa
Porto
22
82
87
Lucas Mantela
Palmerias
22
82
82
Alban Lafont
Nantes
23
80
85
Giorgi Mamardashvili
Valencia
21
79
85
Robert Sanchez
Brighton & Hove Albion
24
79
82
Luis Maximiano
Lazio
23
78
84
Justin Bijlow
Feyenoord
24
78
82

Best young right backs

Speedy fullbacks are a must, so these FIFA 23 young right backs will help you dominate the game down the right flank.

Player
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool
23
85
88
Reece James
Chelsea
22
84
88
Achraf Hakimi
PSG
23
84
87
Jeremie Frimpong
Bayer Leverkusen
21
82
88
Noussair Mazraoui
Bayern Munich
24
82
85
Diogo Dalot
Manchester United
23
80
86
Alexander Bah
Benfica
24
79
83
Ridle Baku
VFL Wolfsburg
24
79
83
Nahuel Molina
Atletico Madrid
24
79
84
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Arsenal
23
79
84

Best young centre backs

Securing a top-quality FIFA 23 young centre back for years to come will be a hard task for any manager in FIFA 23, but these options will make that challenge easier.

Name
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Matthijs de Ligt
Bayern Munich
22
85
89
Jules Kounde
Barcelona
23
84
89
Eder Militao
Real Madrid
24
84
89
Alessandro Bastoni
Inter
23
84
89
Fikayo Tomori
AC Milan
24
84
89
William Saliba
Arsenal
21
83
89
Ronald Araujo
Barcelona
23
83
89
Sven Botman
Newcastle
22
83
88
Lisandro Martinez
Manchester United
24
83
88
Cristian Romero
Tottenham Hotspur
24
83
88

Best young left backs

Just light right backs, left backs often peak early in their career so this FIFA 23 young left back list includes some of the best in the world.

Player
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Theo Hernandez
AC Milan
24
85
90
Alphonso Davies
Bayern Munich
21
84
89
Nuno Mendes
PSG
20
81
89
Wellington Dano
Atletico Mineiro
22
81
81
Marc Cucurella
Chelsea
23
80
84
David Raum
RB Leipzig
24
79
84
Tyrell Malacia
Manchester United
22
79
83
Pervis Estupinan
Brighton & Hove Albion
24
79
84
Borna Sosa
VFB Stuttgart
24
79
83
Renan Lodi
Nottingham Forest
24
79
82

Best young CDMs

Every team needs a midfield anchor, and these FIFA 23 young CDMs can give you the solidity you need in the middle of the park.

Player
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Sandro Tonali
AC Milan
24
84
88
Declan Rice
West Ham
23
84
87
Aurelien Tchouameni
Real Madrid
22
83
89
Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle
24
83
87
Ismael Bennacer
AC Milan
24
83
87
Manuel Locatelli
Juventus (Loan)
24
82
86
Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea
24
81
88
Ibrahim Sangare
PSV
24
81
86
Xaver Schlager
RB Leizig
24
81
84
Rosival Jailson
Corinthians
22
81
81

Best young CMs

These FIFA 23 young CMs can do a bit of everything. Some are better going forward and some going back, but they are all natural in the heart of the team.

Player
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Federico Valverde
Real Madrid
23
86
91
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal
23
85
89
Sandro Tonali
AC Milan
24
84
88
Declan Rice
West Ham
23
84
87
Aurelien Tchouameni
Real Madrid
22
83
89
Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle
24
83
87
Ismael Bennacer
AC Milan
24
83
87
Manuel Locatelli
Juventus (Loan)
24
82
86
Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea
24
81
88
Orkun Kokcu
Feyenoord
21
81
86

Best young CAMs

When it comes to offensive creativity, these FIFA 23 young CAMs are the future of football.

Player
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Christopher Nkunku
RB Leipzig
24
86
89
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal
23
85
89
Kai Havertz
Chelsea
23
83
89
Dani Olmo
RB Leipzig
24
82
87
Mason Mount
Chelsea
23
82
85
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Napoli
21
81
90
Dominik Szoboszlai
RB Leipzig
21
81
87
Orkun Kokcu
Feyenoord
21
81
86
Lucas Paqueta
West Ham
24
81
86
Rosival Jailson
Corinthians
22
81
81

Best young RWs

Wingers are highly flexible, and some of these FIFA 23 best young right wingers can play deeper or more central roles too depending on your formation.

Player
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal
20
84
90
Phil Foden
Man City
22
84
90
Federico Chiesa
Juventus
24
84
87
Jadon Sancho
Manchester United
22
83
87
Rodrygo
Real Madrid
21
82
89
Pedro Goncalves
Sporting CP
24
82
87
Antony
Manchester United
22
81
87
Dejan Kulusevski
Tottenham Hotspur (Loan)
22
81
86
Marcus Edwards
Sporting CP
23
80
85
Nicolo Zaniolo
Galatasaray
22
80
84

Best young LWs

Just like on the right side, these FIFA 23 young left wingers can play all over the park.

Player
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Vinicius Jr
Real Madrid
21
86
92
Marcus Rashford
Manchester United
24
85
88
Rafael Leao
AC Milan
23
84
90
Cody Gakpo
Liverpool
23
83
88
Ferran Torres
Barcelona
22
82
88
Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal
21
81
88
Khvicha Kvaratskelia
Napoli
21
81
90
Marcus Edwards
Sporting CP
23
80
85
Christian Pulisic
Chelsea
23
80
84
Nicolas Gonzalez
Fiorentina
24
80
83

Best young strikers

If you are looking for goal scorers that are just coming into their prime then these FIFA 23 young strikers are the ones for you.

Name
Team
Age
OVR
POT
Kylian Mbappe
PSG
23
91
95
Erling Haaland
Man City
21
89
94
Marcus Rashford
Manchester United
24
85
88
Lautaro Martinez
Inter
24
85
88
Dusan Vlahovic
Juventus
22
84
91
Victor Osimhen
Napoli
23
84
90
Joao Felix
Chelsea (Loan)
22
83
89
Darwin Nunez
Liverpool
23
82
89
Ferran Torres
Barcelona
22
82
88
Randal Kolo Muani
Eintracht Frankfurt
23
82
86