Messi Names Boca Prospect Tomas Aranda in Adidas Future Stars List
Lionel Messi has selected 10 teenage players for the latest edition of his Adidas-backed future-talent campaign, with Boca Juniors prospect Tomas Aranda the only Argentine included. The Inter Miami forward’s choices span men’s and women’s football, taking in clubs in Europe and North America rather than concentrating on the game’s biggest traditional academies.
What changed for the club
Aranda’s inclusion places the Boca youngster among Messi’s chosen emerging players after he had already made his senior Argentina debut. He is the sole representative from Messi’s home country in the group.
That leaves out two other highly rated Argentines: Real Madrid player Franco Mastantuono, who is on loan at Fiorentina, and Como’s Nico Paz. Neither was selected for this 10-player group.
The remaining seven male players named are:
- Max Dowman of Arsenal
- Gilberto Mora of Tijuana
- Can Uzun of Eintracht Frankfurt
- Zavier Gozo of Crystal Palace
- Jesus Rodriguez of Como
- Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar
- Tomas Aranda of Boca Juniors
Messi also picked three players from the women’s game: Chloe Sarwie of Nordsjaelland, Lyon’s Brazilian player Giovanna Waksman, and Hamburg youngster Lotta Wrede.
Competition context
The initiative is Messi’s third set of selections since the project began six years ago. It is intended to identify young players viewed as capable of shaping football’s next generation.
Earlier editions included players who later became established senior professionals, among them Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Mason Mount. This latest group again combines players from leading European development systems with talent from outside the usual major-league focus, including Mexico’s Mora.
The selection also continues to include women’s football, reflecting the increasing depth of young professional talent across the women’s game. Sarwie, Waksman and Wrede make up three of the 10 places.
What is scheduled next
No match schedule or further selection date was attached to the campaign announcement. The immediate outcome is recognition for the 10 players, who will now carry the attention that comes with being identified by Messi at an early stage of their professional development.
