Lionel Messi has named Como winger Jesus Rodriguez among his 10 young players to watch in 2026.
As noted by Marca, the Spaniard features in the latest edition of the “Backed by Messi” campaign with Adidas, which first ran in 2015 and was relaunched two years ago.
Rodriguez joined Como from Real Betis in the summer of 2025, in a deal reportedly worth more than $31m. He has continued his development under Cesc Fabregas as the Lariani make their Champions League debut this season.
Rodriguez joins Paz and Yildiz on Messi’s list
He follows Como teammate Nico Paz, who made the list last year, and Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, who was picked in 2024 alongside Lamine Yamal. Davide Calabria, named in 2016, is the other Serie A link to the campaign.
Arsenal’s 16-year-old Max Dowman, Crystal Palace’s Zavier Gozo, AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Can Uzun, Boca Juniors’ Tomás Aranda and Tijuana’s Gilberto Mora make up the rest of this year’s men’s selections. Chelsea’s Chloe Sarwie, OL Lyonnes’ Giovanna Waksman and Hamburg’s Lotta Wrede also feature.
Not every pick has lived up to the billing, though. Messi’s first list in 2015 included Timo Werner and James Wilson.