The top players from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have had a huge impact globally over the past 25 years.
Asia has produced the mercurial talents of Hidetoshi Nakata and Shunsuke Nakamura, the industry of Park Ji-Sung and the goalscoring of Son Heung-min.
More recently Lee Kang-in has played for Paris Saint Germain and Kaoru Mitoma has become a key attacking player for Brighton.
A number of players from the AFC countries seem ready to break out and become the next big stars from the continent.
Here are 10 of Asia’s brightest prospects.
Table of Contents
1. Yang Min-hyuk (South Korea and Tottenham Hotspur)
There has been huge buzz around the 18-year-old winger in his home country and he’s now hoping to help Tottenham Hotspur with a good year ahead after a disappointing 2024. Yang will be helped by the presence of his countryman Son Heung-min as he looks to become the next South Korean to shine in England, following in the footsteps of Son himself and Park Ji-sung, Ki Sung-yueng and Hwan Hee-chan.
Kim Byung-ji, CEO of Yang’s former club Gangwon FC told the BBC:
“He is quick, can play left and right, uses both feet and has similarities to Son but is more of a creator than goal scorer.”
Yang may not be able to turn Spurs’ fortunes around but given time all signs are he could be an asset for the North London club in the near future.
2. Abdukodir Khusanov (Uzbekistan and Manchester City)
Khusanov has impressed to such an extent that he has moved to English champions Manchester City. This transfer makes Khusanov the highest profile Uzbek footballer, surpassing Eldor Shomurodov who has been playing in Italy since 2020.
3. Zion Suzuki (Japan and Parma)
The 22-year-old goalkeeper has gone from backup at Urawa Reds in the J.League to number one for his country and Parma in under four years. His rapid rise to stardom may reach new heights if we are to believe the rumours that Bayern Munich are interested in him.
Suzuki apparently turned down Manchester United in 2023 as he knew he would be second choice to Andre Onana. Instead he went on loan to Belgian club Sint-Truiden where he impressed enough for Parma to take him to Serie A.
Whatever happens next it’s clear Suzuki’s career is on an upward trajectory and he may reach the very top.
4. Bae Jun-ho (South Korea and Stoke City)
Bae remains in the English Championship for now, despite being linked to many clubs in the summer of 2024. It was expected he would leave Stoke for Feyenoord or one of the many Bundesliga or English Premier League clubs interested in him including Fulham.
He was named Stoke City’s Player of the Year in 2023-24 after his move from Daejeon Hana Citizen in his home country. His current club won’t want to lose him in January as they are too close to the Championship relegation zone for comfort. However one of South Korea’s top prospects may be difficult to hold onto - if not now then certainly at the end of the season.
5. Thomas Waddingham (Australia and Brisbane Roar)
The 19-year-old has followed up seven goals in his debut A-League season with four goals in his first nine matches of the 2024-25 season.As interest grew in 2024 Brisbane Roar head coach Ruben Zadkovich was asked to comment and said,
“There’s interest everywhere to be honest. There’s interest in Australia, there’s interest in Asia but there’s big interest in Europe which is good. We know we have an asset, we know we have a great young player and we’ll keep working on him and bringing him to the top.”
It’s only a matter of time before Waddingham moves from Australia but his destination is unknown. Spurs and Stoke City have been linked to the striker.
6. Kota Takai (Japan and Kawasaki Frontale)
Kawasaki Frontale have not had the best season in 2024 but 20-year-old centre-back Kota Takai was a bright spark. Frontale were champions four times between 2017 and 2021 but consecutive 8th placed finishes have left them looking for inspiration from some younger players.
Despite the team’s underwhelming performance Takai won the J.League Best Young Player award. Previous winners include Shinji Ono, Takumi Minamino and Takuma Asano. Still 19 Takai made his competitive debut for the national team in 2024 as a sub in a 7-0 win over China. Takai is linked to Leicester City so may join Yang in the Premier League sooner rather than later.
7. Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Uzbekistan and CSKA Moscow)
Uzbekistan may be better known for their futsal team than their football team but the national side are in a strong position to qualify for their first ever World Cup finals, thanks in part to the 21-year old striker. He scored the winner in the key win over North Korea in November, putting the Uzbeks second in their qualifying group, a position that would see them go to the 2026 tournament.
Fayzullaev was named Asia’s Best Young Player of 2023 at the AFC Awards. His entry on the AFC website states,
“Able to play anywhere across midfield, his dazzling abilities were in full view at the AFC Asian Cup, where he scored twice on the Continent’s biggest stage in their run to the last eight.”
Fayzullaev’s development may be hindered by his club’s current suspension from UEFA competition but he could be a big hit elsewhere if he decides to move on.
8. Gaku Nawata (Japan and Gamba Osaka)
The striker shone at the 2023 AFC U-17 Championship as his country won the tournament. Nawata was the MVP and his head coach said his goal in the final against South Korea was the turning point.
Hoshiro Moriyama said:
“The first and second goals scored by (Gaku) Nawata were the key. He was important because the Koreans have good attacking players and can score with just one chance.”
Nawata also won the AFC Youth Player of the Year award for 2023 and his growing reputation had many thinking he would sign his first professional contract at a European club. But 18-year-old Nawata has chosen to sign for Gamba Osaka so he’ll start 2025 in the J.League with many eyes on him.
9. Arif Aiman Hanapi (Malaysia and Johor Darul Ta’zim)
The 22-year-old JDT winger has been a full international since he was 19 and his performances in the AFC Champions League have really caught the attention of the continent. In 12 games over the past two seasons he has scored 7 goals and 3 assists in the top club competition - impressive considering he plays for a Malaysian side and not one of Asia’s powerhouse teams.
It remains to be seen if he will be willing to leave his comfort zone and in July 2023 he told JDT fans, “I’m not good enough to play in Japan or South Korea”. But the last 18 months have only raised his profile and in November the New Straits Times newspaper reported Arif was being monitored by Rangers.
10. Jed Drew (Australia and Macarthur FC)
On New Year’s Day the A-League’s official X account highlighted the sudden rise to fame of the Australian winger.
“TEN goal contributions in nine games. Still only 21. Jed Drew is taking the Isuzu A-League by storm”.
Macarthur’s 3-2 win over West Sydney Wanderers on January 1st featured two goals from Drew, outshining Juan Mata on the other side. Drew’s improvement this season suggests he’s a young man on the rise and in high demand.
Final Thoughts
Asian football continues to redefine the global game—not only through the legendary exploits of icons like Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and Son Heung-min, but now also with a promising new generation of talents.
With players such as Yang Min-hyuk, Abdukodir Khusanov and Zion Suzuki already making waves on the international stage, the future of AFC football looks exceptionally bright. These rising stars are set to build on a storied legacy and further enrich the beautiful game worldwide.
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