Goal counts down the top talents born on or after January 1, 2002 from all around the world
Goal10Maika Hamano | Cerezo Osaka Sakai
Maika Hamano may have only celebrated her 16th birthday two months before the Nadeshiko League kicked off, but she went on to start all but one of Cerezo Osaka Sakai’s games as they finished fourth last year.
Her clever movement saw her turn up in the right place at the right time on a regular basis too, racking up six goals in 18 appearances.
After showing her potential with Japan’s youth teams, with whom she top-scored at the 2019 AFC Under-16 Women's Championship as her country lifted the title, this was an exciting season that saw the teenager prove she can shine at senior level, too.
Cerezo Osaka Sakai will not compete in the new Women Empowerment League – Japan’s first fully-professional women’s league which launches later this year – but Hamano, who cites Lionel Messi as her biggest idol, is likely to be one of many picked up by those involved after her exploits in 2020.
AdvertisementGoal9Juliet Nalukenge | Kawempe Muslim
Before the Covid-19 pandemic forced most youth tournaments to be cancelled, Juliet Nalukenge had Uganda dreaming of their first Women’s World Cup participation at any level.
The forward had captained her team to the second round of qualifying for the Under-17 edition, where a win over giants Cameroon would have secured a ticket to India for her team.
Nalukenge was also eyeing up the top scorer accolade, leading the charts with five goals in four games. Her goalscoring had already fired Uganda to victory at the CECAFA U17 Cup as well as the COSAFA U17 Girls Championship, where she netted a staggering 18 goals in just five games.
The 2019 Uganda Women’s Footballer of the Year is already capped at senior level and harbours her own dreams of playing professionally in Europe. At this rate, it will not be long before she realises them.
Goal8Haley Bugeja | Sassuolo
Not many people in Italy had heard of Haley Bugeja when the 16-year-old joined Sassuolo last summer, but when she started her Serie A career with six goals in her first seven games, suddenly everyone knew her name.
And it is not just in Italy that she is making waves, either.
After going viral for a sensational solo goal against Napoli, the young forward wrote her name into the history books in November when she scored a hat-trick for Malta in a UEFA Women’s Euro qualifier.
Not only did she become the first Maltese woman to score a hat-trick in an international competition, she also became the youngest player ever to score three in a European qualifier, while also sealing Malta’s first ever away win at that level.
An ambidextrous, pacey forward with brilliant dribbling abilities, her future could hardly be brighter.
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NXGN exclusive: Bugeja on taking inspiration from Liverpool legends
Goal7Maya Le Tissier | Brighton
Defenders do not often get the credit they deserve but Maya Le Tissier is turning plenty of heads for her performances with Brighton.
The 18-year-old broke into the first team last season as a centre-back and has started every game in the Women’s Super League this campaign, showing her versatility by regularly excelling as a right-back.
She has not only been one of the Seagulls’ best players this term, but one of the league’s stand-out performers.
“I don't feel like I'm playing with a kid,” Brighton defender Victoria Williams said of Le Tissier. “She's advanced beyond her years in terms of her positional awareness and the professional attitude she has.
"Brighton are very fortunate to have her and I personally believe she has a very promising career ahead of her at club and England level.”
Full NXGN Profile: Maya Le Tissier (October 2020)