You've loaded up a new game on Football Manager 27 and you have a vision: build the best young team in the world and dominate for years. Unless you have one of the best academies in football, the only way you can do this is by recruiting as many wonderkids as possible.

A wonderkid is a young talent who possesses high potential and, with the right attitude, support and training, will evolve into a world-class player. You're looking for the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, two of the greatest football players of all time. You're scouting for youth prospects who have what it takes to become the next big thing in football, whether that's in the mould of a swashbuckling centre-back such as Paolo Maldini, a formidable goalkeeper like Manuel Neuer or an all-action midfield dynamo akin to the Ballon d'Or-winning Rodri.

Here, GIVEMESPORT brings you the best wonderkid goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers, aged 20 and under, based on potential ability.

(Key: CA = Current Ability, PA = Potential Ability)

Best Wonderkid Goalkeepers in FM 27

German duo Dennis Seimen and Florian Hellstern are the two best young goalkeepers in Football Manager 27, closely followed by Japanese prospect Rui Araki. Of that trio, Araki is the most affordable, and could mature into one of the best goalkeepers in the world if nurtured well by the right manager.

Dutch shotstopper Quenten Attigah has a very high ceiling, but may take some time to reach his potential given that he is only 17, but if you want to land a talented young netminder who can do a job straight away, you should consider scouting Pierce Charles.

Romario Cunha would be a decent signing for a team looking to climb divisions and would be affordable too, while Brazilian youngster Joao Pedro (not that one) is also a bargan at under £1 million.

Best Wonderkid Defenders in FM 27

It will come as little surprise to learn that Pau Cubarsi is top of the pile when it comes to wonderkid defenders in FM27 and he is virtually not for sale with Barcelona placing a mammoth valuation on his head. So it will take a lot of money and a lot of convincing to land his services in the game.

Brighton's centre-back Luka Vuskovic, one of the nominees for the 2026 Golden Boy award, is a more achievable target, but he will still command a hefty fee. If you're limited when it comes to budget, have a look at Inter Milan's Leondaro Bovio or Coventry City's Stephen Mfuni. If you're in the market for a left-back, do what you can to sign Saba Kharebashvili, who is primed to be one of the best left-backs in the world, according to FM's stats gurus.

Best Wonderkid Midfielders in FM 27

Lamine Yamal is the player with the highest potential in the game, and the best midfielder, but, much like his compatriot and team-mate Cubarsi, is practically unattainable, unless you're a manager who is capable of unsettling big-name stars and convincing them to join your crusade. Yamal is joined by the likes of Estevao and Yan Diomande, as well as Rio Ngumoha and Ayyoub Bouaddi, all among the best young players in world football, at the top of the list.

A little bit further down in terms of potential ability is Luca Williams-Barnett, who is more suited to an attacking role, while Mahdi Nicoli-Jazuli could morph into one of the best Number 10s in the game. Reggie Walsh, meanwhile, will be up there with Bouaddi as one of the best defensive midfielders around, should he reach his potential.

Best Wonderkid Strikers in FM 27

Aston Villa's imposing young striker Brian Madjo looks well placed to grow into the best out-and-out strikers in the game alongside Endrick, who has been a fixture of these lists for the past few years. It is worth looking to France and Italy for upcoming wonderkid strikers, with 16-year-old Montpellier prospect Lacine Megnan appearing particularly impressive. Roma have Antonio Arena in their ranks, while AC Milan's Francesco Camarda boasts similar potential.

Best Wonderkids Valued Under £10m

If you are managing a club that is somewhat strapped for cash, here is a selection of the top wonderkids valued at £10 million or less.

The aforementioned Megnan features, but the best of the bunch looks to be Joshua Abe, Liverpool's exciting young winger. The United States is represented by Christopher Cupps and Gabriel Wesseh, both of whom would represent decent business.

Of course, in some cases, a loan move might be the only option, but there is satisfaction to be had in playing a part in a player's development. Indeed, if a young starlet has a positive experience at your club, who is to say they won't be inclined to stick around, or return at a later date?