GOAL selected the 10 best talents in women’s football born on or after January 1, 2002 – but where are they now?
Since the first women's NXGN list was released in 2020, GOAL has highlighted the best female wonderkids in the world on an annual basis. Many of the players chosen have gone on to do remarkable things, despite still being so young, while others are still waiting to have that breakthrough moment.
And so after the NXGN 2025 list was revealed, let's take a look at where the stars of 2021 are today:
Every NXGN list
Dembele, Tielemans & 2016's best wonderkids
Mbappe, Donnarumma & 2017's best wonderkids
De Ligt, Kluivert & 2018's best wonderkids
Haaland, Sancho & 2019's best wonderkids
Saka, Rodrygo & 2020's best wonderkids
James, Oberdorf & 2020's best women's wonderkids
Pedri, Ansu Fati & 2021's best wonderkids
Bellingham, Musiala & 2022's best wonderkids
Dumornay, Fowler & 2022's best women's wonderkids
Gavi, Garnacho & 2023's best wonderkids
Shaw, Thompson & 2023's best women's wonderkids
Yamal, Mainoo & 2024's best wonderkids
Caicedo, Moultrie & 2024's best women's wonderkids
10Maika Hamano (Cerezo Osaka Sakai)
2021: After spending several years with Cerezo Osaka Sakai, Hamano changed clubs in 2021 when she joined INAC Kobe Leonessa in the newly-founded WE League. She started with a bang, too, scoring twice on her debut in the league.
2022: Hamano was part of the Japan team that reached the final of the U20 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica. She was named the tournament's best player, picking up the Golden Ball award, and also claimed the Silver Boot after scoring four goals in six games. In October, she made her senior international debut as Japan beat Nigeria.
2023: In the January transfer window, Hamano signed for Chelsea on a contract until the summer of 2027 and, simultaneously, joined Hammarby on loan for the year. She helped the Swedish club win the league and also represented Japan at her first senior World Cup.
2024: In her first season with Chelsea, Hamano would have to wait patiently for her opportunities but she would make some big contributions before the end of the 2023-24 season, to help the Blues win yet another league title. The 19-year-old also became an Olympian in the summer.
2025: Hamano is now a regular starter for Chelsea and a regular game-changer for one of the best teams in Europe.
Advertisement9Juliet Nalukenge (Kawempe Muslim)
2021:After impressing in her home country, Nalukenge earned a move abroad when she joined Apollon Limassol. She was on the bench for the club in the Champions League before signing on loan at AMOK Chrysomolia.
2022:Nalukenge returned to her parent club and was among the goals when the 2022-23 season began, but an injury in December halted her progress. She had a successful surgery before Christmas.
2023:The Uganda star spent most of 2023 working her way back from injury and returned to the pitch late in the year.
2024: Nalukenge certainly made up for lost time and got back among the goals as she helped Apollon win yet another league title.
2025: Sadly Nalukenge will not be at this summer's Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda, with the Crested Cranes failing to qualify for the event in Morocco.
8Haley Bugeja (Sassuolo)
2021: Bugeja ended her first senior campaign with 12 goals in Serie A for Sassuolo. She was her team's top scorer as they finished third, just one point off the Champions League places, and was named Serie A's Young Player of the Season.
2022: Injuries limited Bugeja's impact in her second season at Sassuolo, but she still shone when fit, scoring three goals despite just seven starts. In the summer, it was announced that the young forward had signed for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL.
2023: Bugeja struggled for game time during her time in the U.S. and returned to Italy in the summer, joining Inter. She ended the year in flying form, with only Israel's Sharon Beck scoring more goals than her in the inaugural Women's Nations League.
2024: Though she remains a key player for Malta, Bugeja has struggled for starts in her second season with Inter. She will be keen to upgrade her frequent substitute appearances before the campaign is out.
7Maya Le Tissier (Brighton)
2021: Le Tissier played every single minute of Women’s Super League action for Brighton across 2021, underlining her status as a key player for the team. In fact, she missed only two minutes in total over both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
2022:The defender took the next step in her career when she ended her four-year stay with the Seagulls and signed for Manchester United, for a fee, in the summer window. She quickly became as important a player for her new club, with her form so good it was rewarded with a senior England debut in November.
2023:Le Tissier ended the 2022-23 season strongly, helping United reach a first ever Women's FA Cup final, and was unlucky to miss out on a place in the Lionesses' World Cup squad.
2024: The young centre-back continued her good form in the 2023-24 season and was named Players' Player of the Year at Man Utd after helping them to win the FA Cup. When Katie Zelem departed in the summer, Le Tissier was named club captain.
2025: Le Tissier has settled into that leadership role and is helping the Red Devils to have a much better WSL campaign this time around. She is also firmly in the picture for England's Euro 2025 squad.