FM24: Unearthing the Next Cristiano Ronaldo - Top 7 Wonderkids to Watch (2024)

Unveiling FM24's top wonderkids poised to follow Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy. Dive into the latest on FM Blog.

Every new edition of Football Manager has us asking the same question: who are the best new wonderkids? FM24 is no different, and players all over the world are looking for the best wonderkids to lead their club to glory on their new FM saves. This guide takes a look at players who look capable of following in the footsteps of one of the greatest players of all time: Cristiano Ronaldo.

What are we looking for?

With a simply incredible record of scoring goals throughout his career, the first thing we’re looking for is great finishing. Later in his career, Ronaldo was best known for his off-ball movement and anticipation, always popping up at the right place at the right time to provide the finish. However, in his early days, Ronaldo lit up the Premier League on the wing for Man U, using his incredible dribbling skills to embarrass opponents. So in addition to great movement and intelligence, we’ll be looking for good technical ability. He was also a very well-rounded striker, so we’ll need to consider that as we search for his heir.

Marcos Leonardo

This one feels like a bit of a no-brainer. Marcos Leonardo has been attracting a lot of attention for his performances for Santos, and looks like a serious goalscorer in FM24. A product of Santos’ fabled academy, I love his movement and his composure in front of goal, which makes him a talented inside forward from the left side. He also has good enough technique, dribbling and flair, all which can be developed to replicate Ronaldo. This makes him an ideal candidate to replicate Ronaldo’s role at Real Madrid, cutting inside from the wing to attack space left by Karim Benzema. The only downside to Leonardo’s game is his height, which leaves him lacking that ability to provide an aerial presence that Ronaldo could. That said, with the way he attacks space and how well he anticipates challenges, he could well rack up a serious tally of goals in the right system.

READ ALSO: Unveiling FM24’s Dream Wonderkid XI: Your Path to Ultimate Glory

Benjamin Sesko

It’s hard to write something new about this goal-machine that hasn’t already been said. Basically, he’s the complete package. He’s athletic, he’s great in the air, he’s great with his feet, his movement is phenomenal, and his finishing is one of the very best in the game. What’s not to love? In my opinion, he almost perfectly represents Ronaldo’s time at Juventus: just a phenomenal all-round goalscorer, who does his best work in the penalty box. Build a team around him who will create chances, and Sesko will score by the hatful.

Elye Wahi

Wahi was a name that flew under the radar a little during the FM23 cycle, but rest assured we won’t be making that mistake again. Starting at Montpellier, Wahi is a fearsome goalscorer who uses his blistering pace and intelligent movement to find himself on the end of a chance. Like Sesko, he does his best work in the box, so I like him as a striker, but his pace and technique make him a worthy option as an inside forward.

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Ben Doak

A right-footed winger arriving at one of England’s biggest clubs from a small country with a rich footballing history? Ben Doak’s story sounds a little familiar, but so far, that’s where the similarities end. There’s plenty of time for Ben Doak to deliver on his undoubted promise, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ronaldo comparisons come to fruition. His dribbling ability on the right wing is reminiscent of Ronaldo when he first came to Man U, and his eye for goal matches that. Despite his height, Doak lacks aerial ability, and his movement needs to develop further, but with the ball at his feet there’s plenty of reason to consider Doak able to follow in Ronaldo’s footsteps.

Nico Williams

Easily the most costly option on this list, Nico Williams more than justifies his price tag. The Basque winger is still only 20, but it’s easy to see why he’s become key to everything that happens at Athletic Bilbao. Crucial to this is his phenomenal intelligence and anticipation, and his ability to find space from the inside left is second to none. Factor in his pace, finishing and dribbling ability, and it’s easy to compare him to late-00s Ronaldo: the one who earned a £80m move to Real Madrid. In addition, he’s decent in the air and, with training, could become a deadly striker as well as a winger.