Over the next 12 months, a fresh crop of footballers will establish themselves atop the men's game. Here, theScore looks at some talented youngsters – aged 21 and under – who are set to flourish in 2022, while deliberately excluding those who made our lists in previous years.

Yacine Adli ????

Club: AC Milan | Age: 21 | Position: Attacking midfielder

AC Milan quietly executed a shrewd piece of business by signing Adli this past summer. You can see why. The Frenchman, who's spending the season on loan at Bordeaux to continue his development, can take you by surprise with the kind of mesmerizing quick feet that you don't typically associate with someone of his rangy physique.

Julian Alvarez ????

Club: River Plate | Age: 21 | Position: Forward

Alvarez trained with Real Madrid before he was a teenager, but it's at River Plate where he's exploded with 19 goals and seven assists over his last 16 appearances. The attacker seemed destined to use Major League Soccer as a stepping stone into Europe, but his influential role in River's league triumph may mean he bypasses North America on his way to the top.

Ander Barrenetxea ????

Club: Real Sociedad | Age: 20 | Position: Winger

Alexander Isak (22) isn't the only rising star at the Anoeta right now. Barrenetxea, a tricky dribbler who typically operates on the left wing, has caught the eye in limited action for Real Sociedad this season. Able to cut inside and beat multiple defenders with one mazy run, the Spanish youth international is the latest to emerge from the Basque club's famed academy.