But who will be lined up in the future edition of the trophy?
European elite clubs have made sure not to miss out on people who can move quickly this summer and can quickly grow into some of the biggest young stars of football.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/05/image-eb48b6a7-c6a2-4602-ac6b-a2d566b5e877-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Man City “want to challenge ourselves and do our best” – Guardiola
Video Credits: SNTV
Franco Mustantouno
Mustang Toono officially joined the Xabi Alonso team when he turned 18 on August 14th, and while it may take time for the young talent heading for the elite club to adapt, the attacking midfielder will soon be able to work with 15 Champions League winners.
In June, Mastantuono made Argentine senior team the youngest and competitive player. Whose records did he break? You guessed it.
Messi was only 13 when he joined the La Macia Academy in Barcelona, but Mustantouno continues to play in his home country through his development.
He scored 10 goals and seven assists after breaking into the River Plate senior team in the 2024 campaign. He surprised seven goal contributions (5G, 2A) in eight games this year between April and May.
More than Messi, Langer’s cultured left foot is certainly comparable, and his surprising ability from deadball situations already has a full of young highlight reels.
Will Mustantino break into Alonso’s first team this season? He may have things like Arda Guler or Brahim Diaz as a direct competition, but it is possible to imagine Mastantuono getting some solid minutes – especially with the ever-growing workload of modern football that requires rotation.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/06/10/image-1e734082-671c-4ea1-b6ca-9116b49dae9b-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
“He must walk his own path” – Mastentutiono’s Scaroni link to Real Madrid
Video Credit: TNT Sports
Rooney Bardozi
Bardghji has been touted as one of Europe’s great young talents for the past few years, but his progress was severely hampered by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he sustained in May 2024.
The Winger returned to action in March, putting out four alternatives and two starts before acquiring the transition to Barcelona. There, he wants to invade Europe’s most violent attacks.
Barcelona scored an astounding 102 goals in 38 LA La Liga matches last season. I worked out at nearly 2.7 goals per game. That fatal forward line was led, largely by three fronts of Ramin Yamal, Robert Lewandowsky and Rafinha, along with notable contributions from others such as Dani Ormo and Ferran Torres.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2023/11/08/3822253-77677988-2560-1440.jpg)
Remember the name, Rooney Bardoji! Teenagers win a spectacular victory for Copenhagen
Video Credit: TNT Sports
So, is Bardozi likely getting game time with the upcoming campaign?
Operating primarily on the right wing, Swedish U21 International faces tough competition with his main target, current Kopa trophy holder Yamal. However, Bardghji has played in all Barca’s pre-season tests so far, and is a score against Vissel Kobe, and at least it appears to be a substitution look.
Bardghji – 12 goals in Denmark’s 60 top flight appearances – join Marcus Rashford on Barcelona’s summer arrival list. Club president Joan Laporta said he is “confident” when the club finds funds to register all new signatures for next season.
However, there is no doubt that Camp Nou is a hub that will thrive young players. Over the past four years, Barcelona players have won the Copa Trophy.
Sverre Nypan
Nypan is another that moves to elite European clubs with very high inventory.
Upon arriving at Etihad this summer, the club’s new football director said Nipan would “be an important asset for Manchester City in the coming years.”
And all the early signs certainly show an incredibly high ceiling promise.
Nypan really pushed his mark on Norway’s top flight. At just 18 years old, he already plays many first-team soccer – 70 appearances for Rosenborg’s senior side. He scored 14 goals and 11 assists in the meantime.
The midfielder put his name in style last summer. He trained with Rosenborg’s first team from the age of 14, and made his first team debut at the age of 15.
City’s midfield options are actively stacked this season. A positive NYPAN can find it difficult to get time for the game as a result, but as we saw last season, injuries can hit Pep Guardiola’s team and the climate can change almost instantly.
Nypan’s path in the game so far is more extensive than his age suggests, and as a result there is no normal (mostly physical) challenge that young players who earn a few minutes of the first team do not apply to Norwegian youth.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/05/image-d82d412f-dc8f-4b05-9d15-934e11f01f09-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
“We’ve set our stomachs on fire and come back” – the stone eyes return to glory
Video Credits: SNTV
Charalanposcostos
Brighton & Hove Albion spent the summer as they secured the signature of 18-year-old forward Charalanposcostoslas. And the Seagulls’ track record of securing relatively unknown talent makes this a truly exciting effort.
The Athenians are comfortable leading the line and retaining width on the right side, but many in Greece believe he is in the most effective play behind the recognized striker.
The attackers were a key part of the success of Olympiacos’ historic UEFA Youth League in 2023/24.
He had a significant percentage of injuries in the previous term, but when he fitted, Kosturas held back the senior side’s starting spot as the Piraeus-based outfit claimed a sparkling league and a cup double.
It’s also not unreasonable to suggest that Costless could be set to a good run for Brighton’s first team.
He competes with Giorginio Rutter (which can also run behind the strikers) and Danny Welbeck for a spot in the starting lineup, but Greek teenage striker Stefanos Timas also joined the club this summer.
“I chose this club, so they have great plans for younger players as well, and I think it’s the best way to get into the Premier League, making a good first appearance.
Joao Pedro set out from Amex this summer for the reported £55 million. We’ve added another opportunity to Brighton’s batch of strikers.
Brighton was denied a European spot in one league as he finished eighth in the Premier League last season.
Joining Brighton, Kosturas headed for the club and in recent years developed amazing tips for building young talent. Pedro, Moises Caiceto, Ben White, and Alexis Mac Allister left the club with all worthy transfers after becoming regulars on East Sussex’s first team.
Esteva O’Willian
In the much-anticipated move, the 18-year-old joins the Palmeiras teenager growth list heading for Europe.
Enzo Maresca’s side moves quickly into the summer windows to secure services from Liam Dellup from Ipswich Town, Pedro from Brighton and Jamie Gittens of Chelsea.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/07/05/image-c4cd365d-5a41-489f-a10c-616bcfe406c0-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Maresca claims that “huge talent” Estevao will become a “very important player” for Chelsea.
Video Credits: SNTV
But amid the demands of the Champions League campaign, is there space for Estebao? His versatility could prove a useful asset in that respect.
Estebao was primarily operated on the right wing of Palmeiras, but also appeared in the middle, left and front. His output was similarly strong in each position.
Estebao, who has already won five international caps for the Brazilian senior team, is clearly highly regarded and currently has the ability to showcase it on the European stage.
Is it too early to bet his claims on the Copa Trophy in the near future? perhaps. However, with Yamal appearing in the conversations of the Main Baron Door Trophy over the next few years, the U21 Award could be present in the next up-and-coming star who hopes to follow a similar path.
Past winners of the Copa Trophy
Trophy was first introduced in 2018
