Vicky Lopez, Lily Johannes, and Michelle Agyeman have made headlines as some of the brightest talents in soccer today. However, many promising young players have yet to make significant strides on the international stage. This article highlights three teenagers who are poised for major career advancements in the near future.
Emerging Star: Kaylee Hunter from Canada
Kaylee Hunter’s journey with AFC Toronto began shortly after her 17th birthday when the club signed her in January. Billy Wilson, the sporting director, praised her as one of the nation’s most promising players. Fast forward, and it’s clear that Hunter has surpassed expectations, now considered one of Canada’s elite talents. Her senior national team debut came alongside a stellar season in the Northern Super League (NSL), where she contributed 16 goals in just 21 starts, earning the NSL Rookie of the Year award.
Hunter’s performance at the SheBelieves Cup showcased her rising prowess. After initially coming off the bench in the club’s first two matches, she quickly secured a starting position, logging over 2,000 minutes of playing time throughout the season. An impressive tally of 0.76 goals per 97 minutes placed her in the 91st percentile among attackers with significant playing time, highlighting her remarkable composure in front of goal. Hunter displays an ability to navigate challenging scoring situations with confidence, repeatedly finding the back of the net.
By August, following a streak of four consecutive games with goals, Wilson described her as “incredibly consistent.” This steady performance continued throughout 2025, with Hunter recently receiving a contract extension until 2027. However, fans anticipate that her ascendance may soon see her attract interest from clubs outside of Canada, giving her the opportunity to expand her talents on the international stage.
Justine Luque: Rising Talent from France
At just 18, Justine Luque made her presence felt at Montpellier, where she played limited minutes last season but began to find her footing, scoring twice in over ten substitute appearances. Heading into the 2025-26 season, her burgeoning confidence translated into early success, helping her secure four goals by November. Luque’s efforts earned her Montpellier’s Player of the Month award and signaled her transition from academy player to a key starter in just a single campaign.
Luque predominantly showcases her skill on the wing, expertly dribbling and creating scoring opportunities. Despite experiencing typical rookie growing pains, including occasional turnovers, she has proven her mettle against some of France’s top clubs. In critical matches against Lyon and PSG, Luque demonstrated her scoring potential and playmaking ability. Furthermore, she represents France at the Under-19 level, contributing in key matches during their recent European Championship run.
While there remains room for development, Luque’s rapid rise this season is likely to attract attention from scouts looking for emerging talent, positioning her for future opportunities in the sport.
Aira Aguirre-Zabala: A Spanish Sensation
Only 17 years old, Aira Aguirre-Zabala has already logged more minutes than many of her contemporaries, including Luque and Johannes. A product of Real Sociedad’s youth academy, Aguirre-Zabala made her debut at 16 and quickly established herself as a starter. In her first match of the current season, she scored twice against Madrid CFF, further adding to her tally with three additional goals and two assists—remarkable stats for a player typically positioned as a full-back.
Her average of 30.54 completed passes per game is commendable, with over a third being progressive passes that advance the ball significantly toward the goal. The teenager has transitioned effectively to a more attacking role, contributing considerably to Sociedad’s offensive play thanks to her remarkable passing ability, ranking her in the 91st percentile among midfielders.
Aguirre-Zabala is not just a playmaker; she poses an offensive threat herself. Her knack for scoring, particularly with her head, makes her an asset during attacking plays and positions her well for a future either in the midfield or in a forward role. Recently called up to Spain’s senior national team, although she has yet to play, her inclusion signals great promise for her future. With continued playing time in Liga F, Aguirre-Zabala’s potential is poised to blossom further.
