2025/26 breakout stars: Vuskovic’s dominance, Diomande’s rise, and Thiago’s Premier League explosion | OneFootball

Each season new faces burst onto the scene and the 2025/26 campaign was no different. We've profiled six of the biggest breakout stars from across Europe's top five leagues.

Luka Vuskovic - Hamburg

The on-loan Spurs centre-back made a name for himself in theBundesliga with a series of commanding performances at Hamburg. Vuskovic earned inclusion in the Bundesliga Team of the Season for 2025/26, after helping the promoted side keep clear of trouble.

The Croatian's towering presence saw him score six goals, a league-leading total by a defender, while ranking in the top five percent of Bundesliga defenders for duels won, defensive contributions, blocked shots, and clearances. The 19-year-old is a massive talent and could be ready to be integrated into thePremier League.

Yan Diomande - RB Leipzig

Few footballers saw their stock rise more thanYan Diomande in 2025/26. The Ivorian signed for RB Leipzig from Spanish Segunda side Leganes and enjoyed an explosive campaign.

Diomande scored 12 league goals and added eight assists, and ranks among the top 10% of wingers in Europe for non-penalty goals, progressive carries, chances created, and successful dribbles. Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are leading the chase to sign him.

Igor Thiago - Brentford

Igor Thiago bounced back from an ACL injury that scuppered his first season at Brentford to explode in output. The Brazilian scored 22 goals in the Premier League, form which saw him make his international debut in March and book a place in Brazil's World Cup squad.

Brentford continue to unearth goalscorers with unerring regularity and Thiago is the latest Bee that is proving a pest to Premier League defences.

Eli Kroupi Junior - Bournemouth

Bournemouth acted quickly to wrap up a deal for Eli Kroupi Junior last January, with the teenager making the move last summer. Fresh from firing Lorient to promotion as Ligue 2's leading scorer, Kroupi Junior took to top-tier football with ease.

His 13 goals set a new record for a teenager in their debut Premier League season, surpassing Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane. The 19-year-old's goals helped Bournemouth to a top-six finish and European football for the first time.

Nico Paz - Como

Como are another side celebrating European qualification for the first time after sealing their place in theChampions League.

Cesc Fabregas's side upset the established order in Italy to secure a top-four finish, with Nico Paz their leading light. Paz scored 12 goals and assisted six more, as Como finished above AC Milan and Juventus in the table.

Real Madrid have a low-cost buy-back options on the Argentine ace, understood to be around just €9m.

Lennart Karl - Bayern Munich

When Jamal Musiala went down with a serious injury at last summer's Club World Cup, there was widespread anxiety among theBayern Munich fanbase. While undoubtedly a blow, it could have been a sliding doors moment in the career of Lennart Karl.

The teenager was thrust into the first team as a result, and took his chance with both hands. At the tender age of 18, Karl scored nine goals and laid on seven assists, as part of a Bayern team that strolled to a German double. He's made it into Germany's World Cup squad as a result.