Who are the best under-23 Bundesliga players right now?

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Every summer, younger stars from around the world move to the Bundesliga, with German teams having an excellent history of giving stars the minutes that they require to make a name for themselves in the sport.

But, who are the standout players in the Bundesliga under the age of 23?
 

Jamal Musiala

There are few more exciting young talents in European football than Jamal Musiala. The German-born star came through the youth ranks in England with Southampton and Chelsea, before signing for Bayern Munich in 2019.

The attacking midfielder is regarded for his passing and technical skills, and he also picked up the golden boot at EURO 2024. His excellent progression has continued in 2024-25, scoring an impressive eleven goals, meaning that he is only one away from emulating his best scoring season to date in 2022-23.

This season, he has been an integral part of the all-conquering Bayern Munich side, who according to Bovada’s sports website is the favorite to reconquer the Bundesliga title.

Plus, his influence could yet play its part in Bayern achieving success in the Champions League. He has signed a new contract with the Bavarians so you can expect to see him at the Allianz for a few more years.
 

Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz is also regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in world football, despite being just 21. Wirtz came through the youth ranks at FC Koln, before signing for Bayer Leverkusen in 2020.

He made his senior debut in May 2020, becoming the youngest player to ever represent the club. He would also make further history before the end of the season, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history.

His influence was apparent in the 2023-24 season, as he recorded 40 goal involvements as Leverkusen won their first ever Bundesliga title. To this point in 2024-25, the German has scored nine in 25 games, and has also registered ten assists.
 

Benjamin Sesko

One of the hottest properties in European soccer plays his trade in the Bundesliga, as Benjamin Sesko has been a dominant force in the final third of the field since joining RB Leipzig in 2023.

Sesko spent the first four years of his professional career with RB Salzburg, winning three Austrian Bundesliga titles before moving to Germany. Since signing for Leipzig, his scoring feats have caught the eye of clubs from around the world, netting a staggering 35 goals in just 78 appearances across all competitions.

The striker looks set to have a bright future, and a transfer to Arsenal this summer is reportedly on the table.
 

Enzo Millot

Stuttgart have once again been one of the success stories in the Bundesliga this season, and they will have their sights set on a second straight finish in a Champions League spot.

A huge reason for their upturn in fortune has been the emergence of 22-year-old midfielder Enzo Millot. The midfielder signed for the club in the summer of 2021, and he has scored nine goals in 84 appearances. His dominant performances on the field saw him handed an improved contract in January 2024, with the new deal expected to keep Millot at the club until June 2028.

His excellent club performances also saw him named in Thierry Henry’s Olympic squad for France last summer, where he won a silver medal.
 

Hugo Larsson

Eintracht Frankfurt have an excellent eye for potential, and that has been evident in recent history after snapping up Hugo Larsson from Malmo in Sweden.

The 20-year-old midfielder has been an integral part of Frankfurt’s success this season, which could yet see them finish in the Champions League spots.

Larsson scored his first goal from Frankfurt in October 2023, and his performances in the Bundesliga have seen him become a mainstay in the Swedish national team since 2023. So far this season, the midfielder has scored six goals across all competitions, but much of his main work is done breaking up the attacks of opposing sides.
 

Nelson Weiper

Germany have long had an issue in the number nine position at international level, but the emerging Nelson Weiper could be a star that could set the World Cup alight in 2026.

The 19-year-old has been with Mainz throughout his youth career, and he finally made his breakthrough in the senior team as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat against Freiburg in October 2022. He was awarded the U17 Fritz Walter Medal in 2022, and his progression has continued to catch the eye.

Weiper’s standout performances came during the 2024-25 season, scoring two goals in 15 Bundesliga appearances. Mainz are currently enjoying their best-ever season in the competition, and having European football could help them keep hold of the talented young striker for at least once more season.