Top 10 U19 players with most minutes played in all competitions during 2022-23 season

Two Barcelona players make it to the list

In the vast football universe, where seasoned veterans often dominate the headlines, a new constellation of U19 players has emerged, captivating audiences with their dazzling performances.

The 2022-23 season has witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon as these young prodigies have not only secured spots in their teams but have also defied expectations by amassing substantial playing time across various competitions.

This article embarks on an enchanting journey through the cosmos of football, shining a spotlight on the brightest stars who have played remarkable minutes on the hallowed turf for their respective teams. From the depths of their passion to the heights of their soaring talent, witness the birth of a new football era, where the brightest stars are yet to reach their zenith.

Let's look at the top 10 U19 players with the most minutes played in all competitions during the 2022-23 season.

Top 10 U19 players most minutes played

10. Giorgio Scalvini - Atalanta

Defender Giorgio Scalvini plays for Atalanta and has taken part in the vast majority of their Serie A matches in 2022-23, the Italy international played 2,471 minutes of football in all competitions, the young defender scored two and assisted for two goals for Atlanta in the 2022-23 Serie A season. He already has made one appearance in the UEFA Euro qualifiers for Italy and Roberto Mancini.

9. Arthur Vermeeren - Royal Antwerp

Enjoying a fine breakthrough season, Vermeeren played 2,771 minutes for Royal Antwerp this season, becoming a regular for his side as they finished third in the regular season of the Jupiler Pro League. Barcelona are looking for Sergio Busquets replacement for the upcoming season and are not the only club that has been linked with Vermeeren, with Manchester United and Newcastle United being mentioned as interested parties in the 18-year-old too.

8. Alejandro Balde - Barcelona

Alejandro Balde Martínez is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for LaLiga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. Balde joined FC Barcelona in 2011 at the age of eight; ten years later, in July 2021, he signed a contract renewal with Barcelona until 2024 with a release clause of 500 million euros. This season, he played 3,110 minutes of football as Jordi Alba's backup, and after his exit this season, Balde can put up more minutes for Xavi's Barcelona side.

7. Gavi - Barcelona

The notoriously short-heightened youngster is not afraid of anybody; he has impressed everybody in world football. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has made seven goal contributions in the 3,527 minutes that he has played this season. His midfield partnership with Pedri for Barcelona is settled for years to come; both are known as modern-day Iniesta and Xavi.

6. Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund

Jude Bellingham has been in the spotlight since his time at Birmingham City, then at Dortmund, and now as the third-highest signing in Real Madrid's history. In his impressive last season for Dortmund, he played 3,557 minutes in all competitions, scoring some vital goals and assisting some; he would have put up some more minutes, but his injury sidelined him for a couple of games. He will wear the number 5 in the upcoming season for Madrid, which was earlier worn by his idol Zidane.

5. Alex Scott - Bristol City

The central midfielder played a pivotal role in Bristol City’s season in the EFL Championship, making 42 appearances and contributing to five goals by registering four assists and scoring one himself. Contributing in the final third is a bonus to the attributes that the Guernsey-born gem possesses; he has played 3,786 minutes for the Championship club. The 19-year-old is being watched by Premier League clubs; Tottenham and Wolves are the front-runners to sign the young midfielder.

4. Callum Doyle - Sunderland

Callum signed for Manchester City in 2014 and has made huge progress in his time with the club, developing into a fine defender. Manchester City scholar in 2020, he was sent on loan to Sunderland in the 2021–22 season before joining Conventry City on a season-long loan this (2022–23) season.

This season has seen the 19-year-old step up a level to the Championship and becomes a regular in Mark Robins’ back three. The City loanee has played 3,819 minutes this season, and in all the matches that he has played this season, he has managed to assist only one goal.

3. Antonio Silva - Benfica

The 19-year-old is already a regular starter at Benfica and played at last year’s World Cup for Portugal. He is considered to be one of the best young defenders in Europe and "The Next Van Dijk". He has all the makings of a world-class defender in the future.

Despite being 19, he already looks like a fantastic football player, and his statistics back that up. He averages over two tackles per game as well as 1.32 interceptions in the 3,982 minutes that he has played. Despite being so young, he is highly watched in Portugal, and across the world, Europe's best clubs want to sign him.

2. Milos Kerkez - AZ Alkmaar

Milos Kerkez has gone from an AC Milan youth prospect to a brilliant full-back in the Dutch league, attracting the interest of several clubs. Earlier this season, according to CIES, he was among the top 10 most promising U20 footballers in the world.

Kerkez had immense faith and confidence in his talent, a key reason for his incredible rise. While improving physical skills is easy if the player has talent, mental toughness is hard to find and grow, making him a rare player. He managed to play 4,197 minutes for AZ Alkmaar, making him the second youngster to put up over 4,000 minutes under his belt.

1. Zeno Debast - Anderlecht

The 19-year-old Belgian defender plays for the Belgian club Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League. He played 4,332 minutes of football this season, and leads the list of U19 players most minutes played 2022-23. The central defender was not able to contribute to any goal that was scored by his side, but his physical presence and his defensive abilities allowed him to play all these minutes for his club, and he also helped his side reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Conference League.