When playing as a manager in FIFA 23’s Career mode, you’re in it for the long haul, and smart managers know to invest in young talent early on. Buying a ready-made superstar every time is too expensive, even for the biggest clubs, so you’re often better off buying young players with boatloads of potential. Below are some of the best young attackers, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers in FIFA 23.
Related: The highest-rated attackers in FIFA 23
Attackers
Ansu Fati
Age: 19
Position: LW
OVR: 79
One of the hottest prospects in Spanish Football, Ansu Fati is already being compared to his Barcelona forebear Lionel Messi.
Charles De Ketelaere
Age: 21
Position: ST/LW
OVR: 78
Belgium just won’t stop producing great footballers lately, and Charles De Ketelaere is the latest in a long line. He joined AC Milan for €32 million in August 2022, the highest fee ever paid for a Belgian top-flight player.
Dusan Vlahovic
Age: 22
Position: ST
OVR: 84
One of the higher-overall players on this list, Dusan Vlahovic came to Juventus after a very solid run with Fiorentina. The Serbian striker possesses a 91 OVR potential rating, one of the highest ones among strikers.
Joao Felix
Age: 22
Position: CF/ST
OVR: 83
Joao Felix hasn’t exactly lived up to his potential just yet, but perhaps the Portuguese attacker can get it going with Chelsea. Felix is currently on loan from Atletico de Madrid, as he recently joined a Chelsea club in need of some offense.
Vinicius Jr.
Age: 21
Position: RW
OVR: 86
At the age of 21, Brazilian sensation Vinicius Jr. has already morphed into a superstar with Real Madrid. Among wingers, Vinicius has the highest potential rating (92) in FIFA 23.
Youssoufa Moukoko
Age: 17
Position: ST
OVR: 75
If you’re looking for a long-term project, there might not be a better one than Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko. The 17-year-old possesses a very solid 89 OVR potential rating, but he has a long way to go in his development.
Antonio Nusa
Age: 17
Position: LW/RW/ST
OVR: 68
Much like with Moukoko, Club Brugge striker Antonio Nusa is one of the high-risk, high-reward prospects in FIFA 23. Nusa only is a 68 OVR, but his potential sits at 88 OVR.
Antony
Age: 22
Position: RW/RM
OVR: 82
Manchester United picked off Antony from Ajax in August, in the hopes that he can turn into a star attacker/midfielder in Old Trafford. Antony’s 88 OVR potential rating is on part of Nusa and Moukoko.
Rayan Cherki
Age: 18
Position: CAM/LW/RW
OVR: 73
OL’s Rayan Cherki can play both in the midfield, and on the wings in FIFA 23. Much like with Moukoko and Nusa, the Lyon winger is one of the lower-rated players on this list.
Gabriel Martinelli
Age: 21
Position: LW/LM
OVR: 77
Get used to hearing Arsenal’s name on this list, as the Gunners have multiple young studs on its roster. One such name is Gabriel Martinelli, a 77 OVR winger/midfielder that could jump up to an 88 OVR in FIFA 23.
Midfielders
Florian Wirtz
Age: 19
Position: CAM/CM
OVR: 82
This young Bayer Leverkusen star has already made his first appearances for the German national team at the tender age of 19. He’s known for his workrate and attacking mindset.
Jude Bellingham
Age: 19
Position: CM/LM
OVR: 84
Bellingham is both Birmingham City’s youngest-ever first-team player and the youngest-ever goalscorer for Borussia Dortmund. No wonder his international appearances for England are in double figures when he’s still in his teens.
Pablo Gavi
Age: 18
Position: CM/LW/RW
OVR: 79
It’s difficult to decide which Barcelona and Spain hot prospect is the most exciting, Ansu Fati or Pablo Gavi. But Gavi, being even younger, is garnering rather more attention. Buy him now, and he’ll be an asset to your team for many seasons to come.
Jamal Musiala
Age: 19
Position: CAM/LM/RM
OVR: 83
No midfielder in football right now has a higher potential rating in FIFA 23 than Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala. Musiala is slated to be the next great Bayern Munich midfielder and already possesses a very serviceable 83 OVR rating.
Phil Foden
Age: 22
Position: CAM/LW/CF
OVR: 85
Manchester City’s Phil Foden has turned into a brilliant attacker/midfielder for both the City and the English national team. It’s hard to believe that Foden is only 22, and has more room for growth. Foden possesses a potential overall rating of 92, one of the highest in the game.
Bukayo Saka
Age: 20
Position: RM/RW
OVR: 83
Arsenal entered 2023 at the top of the Premier League table, thanks in large part to a strong unit. Part of that group includes Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who possesses fantastic Pace and a solid 90 OVR future rating in FIFA.
Vitinha
Age: 22
Position: CM/CAM
OVR: 79
PSG already has a dangerous core, but the team’s next wave of stars includes midfielder Vitinha. The Portuguese midfielder has an 89 OVR potential rating, one of the highest in the game.
Eduardo Camavinga
Age: 19
Position: CM/CDM
OVR: 79
Much like Vitinha, Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga is a symbol of the next wave of stars — this time in Real Madrid. The 19-year-old is also a big part of the future of the French football team, and he got his first taste of the World Cup this past December in Qatar.
Defenders
Alphonso Davies
Age: 21
Position: LB/LM
OVR: 84
Canada is generally better known for its hockey players than its football stars, but Bayern Munch’s Alphonso Davies is a notable exception. He’s one of the best attacking fullbacks in the world already and is yet to unlock his full potential.
Joško Gvardiol
Age: 20
Position: CB/LB
OVR: 81
If you’re looking for a young player with pure defensive prowess, then look no further than RB Leipzig and Croatia center-back, Joško Gvardiol.
Jeremie Frimpong
Age: 21
Position: RB/RWB
OVR: 80
Another young star from Bayer Leverkusen, this one Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong. He’s as much of an attacker as a defender, covering the full length of the pitch at lightning pace.
Destiny Udogie
Age: 19
Position: LWB/LM
OVR: 76
LWB Destiny Udogie possesses one of the lowest overalls on this list, but he is also one of the youngest players here. Udogie is currently on loan with Udinesse.
William Saliba
Age: 21
Position: CB
OVR: 81
Bukayo Saka isn’t the only youngster on Arsenal with star potential. 21-year-old William Saliba possesses one of the higher potential ratings (89 OVR) in FIFA 23 among defenders.
Goalkeepers
Giorgi Mamardashvili
Age: 21
Position: GK
OVR: 78
Mamardashvili was still playing for Georgian side Locomotive Tbilisi when he was spotted by the eagle-eyed talent scouts at Valencia. Since signing for the La Liga club in 2021, he’s been named Discovery of the Season by Spain’s leading sports newspaper, Marca.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Age: 23
Position: GK
OVR: 88
Already a superstar for both Italy and AC Milan, it’s hard to believe Gianluigi Donnarumma is still only 23. At his current rate, he might even surpass the legendary Gianluigi Buffon.
Gregor Kobel
Age: 24
Position: GK
OVR: 83
Alongside Jude Bellingham, Gregor Kobel is one of the most promising young stars at Borussia Dortmund, and already has his first international cap for Switzerland under his belt.
Diego Costa
Age: 22
Position: GK
OVR: 81
FC Porto has been a talent factory for the big clubs, and Diego Costa could join that list. The Portuguese keeper possesses a very solid 85 OVR potential rating.
Gavin Bazunu
Age: 20
Position: GK
OVR: 71
Things have not gone particularly well thus far for Southampton in the 2022-23 season. However, the club does have a promising goalkeeper in Gavin Bazunu. The Southampton goalkeeper has an 85 OVR future rating in FIFA 23.
Current and future ratings per SoFIFA.
