Emmanuel Michael: Golden Eaglets star named in list of 60 best young talents in football for 2023

Nigerian youngster Emmanuel Michael has been listed as one of the hottest young players of the next generation.

A 60-man list released by the Guardian UK featured many promising young footballers born in 2006. 

Top European club sides like Barcelona, Athletico Madrid, and Borrusia Dortmund were ably represented, while football clubs and academies in Africa also have players featured. 

South American football powerhouse Brazil has the most representatives, with four on the list, closely followed by Spain, France, and Germany, who all have three.

Golden Eaglets defender Emmanuel Michael is a defender who plays as a left-back for Simoiben FC Academy in Kaduna, Nigeria.

The 17-year-old, in addition to excelling at his defensive duty, is an asset whenever there is a set piece in and around the opposition box.

At the WAFU B U-17 tournament in Ghana in 2022, Emmanuel Michael won three Man-of-the-man (MOTM) awards for his brilliant displays, especially converting set pieces.  

Emmanuel Michael scored three free-kicks during the tournament, including two against Cote d’Ivoire in the semifinal.

Lagos-state-born striker George Ilenikhena who has represented France at the junior level, also makes the list. 

Marc Guiu - Spain- Barcelona

Jon Martín - Spain- Real Sociedad

Jorge Rajado - Spain- Atletico Madrid

Moslem Anatouf - Algeria- Mouloudia Club of Algiers

Claudio Echeverri - Argentina - River Plate

Gianluca Prestianni - Argentina - Velez Sarsfield

Nestory Irankunda - Australia - Adelaide United

Oliver Lukic - Austria - Liefering

Julien Duranville - Belgium - Borussia Dortmund

Kaua Elias - Brazil - Fluminense

Endrick - Brazil - Palmeiras

Luis Guilherme - Brazil - Palmeiras

Vitor Reis - Brazil - Palmeiras

Valentin Yotov - Bulgaria - Bayern Munich

Ousmane Camara - Burkina Faso - Rahimo FC

Brayan Mateo Caicedo Ramos - Colombia - Cyclones de Cali

Noa Skoko - Croatia - Hajduk Split

Tobias Slotsager - Denmark - Odense

Allen Obando - Ecuador - Barcelona de Guayaquil

George Ilenikhena - France - Royal Antwerp

Eli Junior Kroupi - France - Lorient

Warren Zaire-Emery - France - PSG

Aleksandre Peikrishvili - Georgia - Dinamo Tbilisi

Paris Brunner - Germany - Borussia Dortmund

Noah Darvich - Germany - Barcelona

Almugera Kabar - Germany - Borussia Dortmund

Stefanos Tzimas - Greece- PAOK

Áron Yaakobishvili - Hungary - Barcelona

Daniel Gudjohnsen - Iceland - Malmo

Mattia Mannini - Italy - Roma

Tommaso Martinelli - Italy - Fiorentina

Simone Pafundi - Italy - Udinese

Gaku Nawata - Japan - Kamimura Gakuen High School

Divine Teah - Liberia - Massa Football Academy

Gael Álvarez - Mexico - Pachuca

Fidel Barajas - Mexico - Charleston Battery

Vasilije Adzic - Montenegro - Buducnost Podgorica

Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal - Morocco- Académie Mohamed VI

Jorrel Hato - Netherlands - Ajax

Tygo Land - Netherlands - PSV

Emmanuel Michael - Nigeria - Simoiben FC

Sverre Nypan - Norway - Rosenborg

Valentino Delgado - Peru - AD Cantolao

Karol Borys - Poland - Slask Wroclaw

Martim Fernandes - Portugal - Porto

Gonçalo Ribeiro - Portugal - Porto

Enes Sali - Romania - Farul Constanta

Matija Popovic - Serbia - Partizan

Sallieu Bah - Sierra Leone - Central Parade FC

Luka Topalovic - Solvenia - NK Domzale

Kim Myung-jun - South Korea - Pohang U-18

Lucas Bergvall - Sweden - Djurgarden

Emre Gökay - Turkey - Sivasspor

Yunus Emre Konak - Turkey - Sivasspor

Yasin Özcan - Turkey - Kasimpasa

Diego Kochen - USA - Barcelona

Cruz Medina - USA - San Jose Earthquakes

Ihojan Pérez - Uruguay - River Plate

David Martínez - Venezuela - Monagas SC

Le Dinh Long Vu - Vietnam - Song Lam Nghe An