The best wonderkid in every Football Manager across series history

Every year, there’s always one wonderkid who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Sometimes they’re unattainable, sometimes they’re easy to snap up, so everyone’s got them—and every time, they’re iconic. So, in the words of The Lathums, walk with me down memory lane as we relive the best wonderkid from every Football Manager game since Miles Jacobson and co. first launched this legendary franchise. (Older readers, don’t worry—Championship Manager legends will get their time to shine in a future article!)

I’ve trawled through forums, lists, and YouTube videos to nail down the definitive best wonderkid for each game. Sometimes, Football Manager crowns a wonderkid who doesn’t quite live up to their predicted heights. But more often than not, they absolutely smash it.

Football Manager 2005 – Freddy Adu

Freddy Adu is arguably the GOAT Football Manager wonderkid. He burst onto the scene around this time as the ultimate teenage prodigy. At just 14 years old, he was a global sensation in both the game and real life. While his real-life career didn’t pan out as expected, Adu became a cult figure among FM players and remains one of the game’s most iconic talents.

Football Manager 2006 – Anthony Vanden Borre

Anthony Vanden Borre was the perfect blend of affordability and potential in FM 2006. Capable of playing across the defense and midfield, he was every manager’s dream verstality man. He would always develop into a reliable world-class player, and was perfect for clubs on a budget. Despite a less glamorous real-life career, never quite living up to his wonderkid potential, Vanden Borre’s FM legacy is cemented, and every hardcore FM player knows exactly who this guy is.

Football Manager 2007 – Alexis Sanchez

Some wonderkids absolutely live up to the hype that the game gives them. ln FM 2007, Alexis Sánchez emerged as the quintessential perfect attacking wonderkid. The Chilean teenager had incredible pace, dribbling, and could play anywhere across the forward line, making him a nightmare for defenders. His rapid development into a world-class attacker mirrored his real-life rise to stardom, so it’s easy to forget he was one of FM’s greatest gems.

Football Manager 2008 – Karim Benzema

Fair play to Football Manager, they got this one absolutely spot on. Karim Benzema was the star of FM 2008, combining elite finishing, physicals and mentals. Those attributes tell you all that you need to know. Already showing promise at Lyon, Benzema’s in-game dominance foreshadowed his incredible real-life career, culminating in a Ballon d’Or and multiple Champions League wins with Real Madrid.

Football Manager 2009 – Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela stood out in FM 2009 as THE exciting forward you would buy. I mean just look at those attributes at 19 years old. He was an absolute fan favourite. While Vela never quite hit those heights in Europe or at Arsenal, his dominance in MLS ensured he left his mark on football, and didn’t squander his wonderkid potential completely.

Football Manager 2010 – Romelu Lukaku

Okay, forget what I just said about Carlos Vela, Romelu Lukaku’s attributes at 16 blow them out of the water. Romelu Lukaku was FM 2010’s definition of a wonderkid—a 16-year-old striker with ridiculous physical attributes and a knack for scoring goals. Affordable and quick to develop, he could transform into a world-beater who bullied defenders with his strength and speed. His FM reputation as an unstoppable force translated into real life as he became one of Europe’s best strikers. Just because a lot of people have gone off him now, doesn’t stop him from being one of the most uniquely unstoppable strikers on his day. Romelu Lukaku walked so that Erling Haaland could run.

Football Manager 2011 – James Rodriguez

James Rodríguez stole the spotlight in FM 2011. Whether playing centrally or on the wing, he consistently delivered match-winning performances. His rise in FM reflected his real-life breakthrough, culminating in a sensational 2014 World Cup that we all remember. It was between him and Gareth Bale for the best wonderkid in Football Manager 2011 and James Rodriguez just about takes it as Gareth was slightly too old at this point.

Football Manager 2012 – Carlos Fierro

It was an easy choice for this version of Football Manager. Carlos Fierro became a household name among FM players in 2012, thanks to his insane potential and affordability. Signed from Chivas, he was a bargain striker who could blossom into a goal-scoring machine. He was indispensable for any good, ambitious save, even if his real-life career didn’t reach the same heights. Carlos Fierro goes straight into the FM wonderkid hall of fame.

Football Manager 2013 – Stephan El Shaarawy

Stephan El Shaarawy dominated FM 2013. His pace, flair, and clinical finishing made him a must-buy. Although injuries hampered his real-life career, his in-game performances cemented his legacy as one of FM’s most beloved wonderkids. Although, he’s still probably more iconic for that haircut than anything he did in the game.

Football Manager 2014 – Adnan Januzaj

There were such high hopes when he signed for Manchester United. Adnan Januzaj captured FM 2014 players’ imaginations after breaking through at Manchester United. Managers loved his ability to turn games around single-handedly. While his real-life career never reached FM’s lofty predictions, Januzaj’s virtual success made him unforgettable. Manchester United fans are still asking ‘What if…’ he had become World Class to this very day.

Football Manager 2015 – Martin Odegaard

FM 2015 introduced Martin Ødegaard as the epitome of a wonderkid. Signed by Real Madrid at just 16, his technical stats were off the charts. Unlike many FM wonderkids, Ødegaard has gone on to fulfill his potential, now captaining Arsenal and thriving. Although, his potential was so high in this game he still might not have reached the hype that they gave him. Nevertheless, he’s done pretty well for himself!

Football Manager 2016 – Anthony Martial

It’s easy to forget now, but in this game, Anthony Martial had by far the highest potential. Once upon a time, Anthony Martial was the ultimate wonderkid attacker in the world, especially in FM 2016. His combination of speed, flair, and finishing made him an absolute menace to defenders. Signed by Manchester United, he was easy to develop into a world-class striker or winger. Martial’s in-game performances made him an FM favorite, even though since his real-life form has fluctuated massively. No wonder they put a Ballon d’Or clause into his contract when he signed!

Football Manager 2017 – Gianluigi Donnarumma

I could have chosen Gianluigi Donnarumma for about five different versions of Football Manager. That’s how long he was one of the best wonderkids in the game. Donnarumma became THE go-to goalkeeper in FM 2017 and was an an absolute freak of nature in goal. At just 17 years old, he was already a world-class shot-stopper. Managers loved his consistency and ability to anchor their defense for well over a decade. Donnarumma’s FM dominance mirrored his real-life rise, where he’s now one of the world’s best goalkeepers playing for the enemy, Paris Saint-Germain.

Football Manager 2018 – Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappé was already a household name when FM 2018 rolled around, so I’m not going to give them much credit for this one, but his in-game stats made him unstoppable. His pace, finishing, and versatility meant he could play literally anywhere in the attack. Managers loved building their teams around him, knowing he’d deliver for over a decade. Bringing plenty of Ballon d’Ors along the way. Mbappé’s real-life success, especially performances in World Cup finals, has validated his status as one of FM’s greatest wonderkids.

Football Manager 2019 – Pietro Pellegri

This guy was the GOAT striker in this game. Pietro Pellegri stood out in FM 2019 as a bargain wonderkid with incredible potential. The young Italian striker could develop into the perfect complete forward, combining physicality with a keen eye for goal. While injuries have hindered his real-life career, Pellegri’s FM performances made him a cult favorite among managers.

Football Manager 2020 – Joao Felix

There’s a reason why Atletico Madrid paid over £100 million for him. João Félix took center stage in FM 2020 as the best attacking talent. His technical abilities and flair made him easily one of the most exciting players in the game. Occasionally, Félix’s his real-life promise has mirrored his in-game ability, even if consistency has sometimes eluded him off-screen. It could have easily been Erling Haaland this year as well, but the next one is the game where he truly broke out…

Football Manager 2021 – Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland was FM 2021’s ultimate cheat code. He was affordable for the best teams and guaranteed to develop into the world’s best player. Haaland’s dominance in FM directly translated to real life, where he’s now regarded as of football’s greatest striker. Breaking every single Premier League goalscoring record. But Football Manager 2021 was the year when he truly started ruining everyone’s saves by being virtually unstoppable.

Football Manager 2022 – Youssoufa Moukoko

Borussia Dortmund just know how to play the wonderkid game don’t they, making serious money along the way. FM 2022 introduced Youssoufa Moukoko as a record-breaking teenage striker with limitless potential. While his real-life career is still in its early stages, FM fans loved molding him into a generational talent. Let’s hope he reaches the potential he has in the game.

Football Manager 2023 – Endrick

He’s turned into a bit of a meme on Twitter over recent times, but there’s absolutely no doubting that this boy is going straight to the very top. Endrick was FM 2023’s teenage sensation, wowing managers with his potential. The Palmeiras striker was a bargain wonderkid who developed into one of the best players in the game every single damn time. Real Madrid saw this, and his YouTube compilations and instantly decided to snap him up.

Football Manager 2024 – Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal is the latest wonderkid to capture FM players’ attention. With his real-life career already taking off, Yamal genuinely has the potential to become one of the best wonderkids FM has ever seen. Some are even saying he has the potential to become better than Lionel Messi, although that might be a step too far. The wonderkid who just missed out was Mikey Moore, but Lamine’s current ability just blows any other player out of the water.

There were so many iconic Football Manager wonderkids who were unlucky not to make the cut. It was absolutely brutal having to choose just one from each year. What do you think? Would you make any changes to my list of the best wonderkid from each year?