Arsenal attacker Max Dowman has been named as the sixth-best teenage footballer in the world on GOAL’s NXGN list for 2026.
Dowman announced himself to the footballing world with his goal against Everton as he ran from inside his own half to seal a huge three points for Arsenal two weeks ago.
How closely do you think Max Dowman will follow in Lamine Yamal’s footsteps?
The 16-year-old is now the Premier League’s youngest-ever goal scorer and has even been compared to Lamine Yamal.
A list of the 50 best teenage talents in the world has now been released, and the youngster has come in at sixth place, with five players ahead of him.
Max Dowman named sixth-best teenage footballer
GOAL have ranked Arsenal winger Max Dowman as the sixth-best teenage footballer on their latest NXGN 2026 list.
Given he’s only just turned 16, Dowman will be hoping to top that list in the next few years, but for now, he has five youngsters still ahead of him.
Yamal has unsurprisingly come out on top of the list following another explosive season at FC Barcelona, who Arsenal could meet in the Champions League semi-finals.
Chelsea winger Estevao takes second spot; meanwhile, Yamal’s Barca teammate Pau Cubarsi is ranked in third.
Real Madrid attacker Franco Mastantuono is fourth, and then Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl comes in at fifth, with the teenager having scored against Arsenal this season.
Yamal aside, there is a strong case to be made that Dowman could soon surpass all of the others in terms of potential, with Dowman being eased into the first team.
Should Max Dowman go to the World Cup with England: Too soon, or just right?
Arsenal had to rely on Dowman to help them beat Everton, and there is a sense that Mikel Arteta should have played him in the Carabao Cup final.
Although given the media hype around him, protecting him needs to be Arsenal’s main priority whilst he adjusts to his new surroundings at the Emirates Stadium.
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