Football Manager 26 Wonderkids: 10 Young Stars You Must Sign Before Everyone Else

Football Manager 26 Wonderkids: 10 Young Stars You Must Sign Before Everyone Else

The long-awaited release of a new Football Manager franchise game finally graced our computer screens when FM26 was officially released at the beginning of November.

Since then, there have been a lot of mixed opinions about the game, its user interface, and whether it is actually an upgrade on previous editions.

But no matter what you think about the game itself, the one thing that remains second to none is the wonderkids.

Football Manager is known for its extensive research on young players many have never even heard of, which has led to a host of professional clubs sometimes using it for scouting research.

So, let's talk about those young players you should be looking to sign early doors on this year's Football Manager who could well be gracing the world's stage before we know it.

Here is FootballPark's list of 10 wonderkids that should be on your radar in FM26.

Who Are the Best Wonderkids in FM26??

10. Joane Gadou - RB Salzburg

Finding wonderkids before they have made their big move is essential to success in FM, and that's exactly why Gadou makes this list.

Gadou currently plays for Salzburg as a centre back and is just 18 years old but has the profile and ability of someone far beyond his years.

Calm on the ball, strong and tactically sharp, Gadou is someone you should definitely be targeting at the beginning of your save.

The Frenchman costs around £13-18m at the start of the game and is a prospect you can get your hands on before the big boys if you sweeten him up with guaranteed minutes at a high level.

9. Ayman Kari - Free Agent

A wonderkid free agent? It's like the FM gods are smiling down upon us.

Kari has had spells at PSG and Lorient but costs zilch in the game and has the statistics to get you salivating.

With 14 passing, 14 technique and 13 first touch, Ayman Kari has the ability to dictate a midfield tempo from deep. Physically, Kari is very solid as well, giving him the profile to play as an advanced playmaker or as part of a double pivot.

You will likely face some competition if you do want to secure his signature, though, with a host of French clubs, including the likes of Lyon, often sniffing around for his services.

8. Assane Diao - Como

Como have been playing their own version of Football Manager under Cesc Fabregas over the past couple of years, and one of those assets they signed was Assane Diao.

Assane Diao [Como] vs Napoli pic.twitter.com/LrD4BmVzka

— 🇸🇳🎥 (@SenegalComps) November 2, 2025

But possibly the most enticing part of his starter stats is the 16 natural fitness, which makes him perfect for playing in those gegenpressing systems.

7. Guillame Restes - Toulouse

Trustworthy young goalkeepers aren't easy to come by in FM, so when you find one, they are priceless for many.

With nearly a century of senior appearances already under his belt at just 20 years of age, Restes does have a bit of a price tag on his head and will likely cost you around £20m.

But if you can secure the shopstopper's services, you can almost forget about the position and focus on more exciting areas for the rest of your save.

6. Santiago Castro - Bologna

Castro is a difficult one.

Given how good he is and becomes, he should, in theory, be higher on this list.

But at the start of the game it will set you back a huge sum of £60m to secure his services, which for me personally is just too much for a wonderkid.

🇦🇷😎 Santiago Castro (21) scored a 89th minute winner to send Bologna to the quarter-final of the Coppa Italia. ⚡️🏆 pic.twitter.com/W6L4eawDlE

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 6, 2025

Castro has 18 for both his work rate and determination, meaning you can rely on him to make the most of his abilities; pair that with some solid physical and technical skills, and Castro has everything you need from a striker.

5. Nathan de Cat - Anderlecht

Not only does de Cat have a generational name, but he also has generational potential and is one of the most exciting midfield prospects in the entire game.

The cost is quite high, with the Belgian likely setting you back somewhere in the region of £40m, but the 16-year-old is definitely worth it if you're looking at a long-term save.

At 6'4", de Cat is a hefty physical presence but has the technical ability to match and one of the highest potentials of any DM in the entire game database.

4. Saba Kharebashvili - Dinamo Tbilisi

The Georgian fullback is just 16 years of age in the game but already shows signs of becoming a future star even at such an early stage.

Kharebashvili is blessed with a resolute personality, which means consistent growth is almost guaranteed throughout his career.

His attributes lean towards an elite attacking fullback down the line, and his market value of £220k-£2.2m makes him an absolute no-brainer to bring into your club and nurture to the top of the game.

3. Rodrigo Mora - Porto

Mora is not only going to the very top in FM but will undoubtedly be one of the top names in real life before long as well.

Coming from the talent factory of Porto, Mora will likely cost you a good bit of dosh in-game, but there is no doubt whatever price you pay is worth it.

🤩🇵🇹 Porto's 18-year-old talent Rodrigo Mora. Excellent. 💎 pic.twitter.com/7dEadejadD

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) November 23, 2025

He's going to cost you an arm, a leg, your mortgage and probably a host of other valuable assets – but if you can get him through the door, you're in good stead for some serious success.

2. Ethan Nwaneri - Arsenal

As we get to the head of this list, we were always going to end up with some big names – and Ethan Nwaneri is one of those.

Another one who will cost some extreme funds and is only really plausible if you start with a massive club, but Nwaneri is one of the best wonderkids in the game.

Arsenal no doubt have an absolute gem on their hands, and if you can somehow prise him from Mikel Arteta's grasp, you are in for a very pleasurable time playing FM.

1. Estevao – Chelsea

Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue, and Kenan Yildiz are all big names missing from this list – but you already know about those, so we've got a few outside-the-box picks throughout this list.

But as it comes to a close, it was only right to get some of the big boys in there, which is exactly why we are ending with Estevao from Chelsea.

The 18-year-old has hit the ground running since his signing for the London side and has put the world on notice, showing just how good he is.

If you're an FM player, you'll have been signing him for years in your saves, and that should be no different this year, if you can stump up the funds, of course.

Will you get a deal over the line? Not unless you've got some serious money and pulling power.

But, even still, there is no doubt the Brazilian is a wonderkid you reall should be targeting this year.