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The British daily The Guardian has announced its annual “Next Generation 2025: 60 of the best young talents in world football,” spotlighting the most promising players born in 2008 or later. This year, two young names from Türkiye have made the list: Furkan Kocak from Galatasaray and Deniz Donmezer from Zecorner Kayserispor.
The Guardian praised Furkan Kocak for his versatility in attack, noting that the young forward can play across all offensive positions.
The newspaper underlined his rapid development, stating that “With a star-studded team ahead of him, the challenge is immense, but if he keeps up his current pace of development it won’t be long before the first-team squad – and perhaps a move abroad – is on the cards.”
Deniz Donmezer, the 1.90-meter-tall goalkeeper of Zecorner Kayserispor, also received strong praise.
The Guardian described him as a player with a maturity and confidence far beyond his age, noting that “Unsurprisingly, this rapid ascent has put him firmly on the radar of scouting departments across Europe. Currently establishing himself as the future of Turkish goalkeeping, he is already proving himself at the highest level of football in the county and is definitely a player worth keeping a close eye on.”
The inclusion of both players places Türkiye alongside football nations producing top-tier youth talent. The Guardian’s annual selection, followed closely by scouts and football analysts, often highlights names who later make it to elite European clubs.
Other players featured in this year’s 60-person list include Thomas de Martis (Lanus), Jorthy Mokio (Ajax), Francesco Camarda (Lecce), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Dro Fernandez (Barcelona), and Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls), reflecting the global reach of emerging football talent.
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