Finnish footballer Matias Siltanen named among world’s top young talents by The Guardian

The Guardian has included Finnish footballer Matias Siltanen among the world’s top young talents. Siltanen is currently in his debut season with Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) in the Finnish men’s top league, where he has made a significant impact. The publication has highlighted 60 of the most promising football talents born in 2007, and Siltanen is the only Finnish player on the list.

“This is a big deal; it feels great to be on this list,” Siltanen told Yle upon being nominated. The last Finnish player to be featured was Kaan Kairinen in 2015, who ranked among the top 50 players.

At just 17 years old, Siltanen has made a breakthrough as a league player this season, becoming a key player for KuPS under head coach Jani Honkavaara. He has been included in the team’s starting lineup for 23 matches this season, a breakthrough made easier by his good health, as he has managed to avoid injuries.

“I am very satisfied with my season. It has been a bit surprising to get this much playing time. I didn’t expect last winter that I would be a regular starter for KuPS,” Siltanen remarked.

Several foreign clubs have shown interest in Siltanen, who is under contract with KuPS until 2025. He acknowledges that a transfer to a bigger club could happen before the end of his current contract but emphasizes that there is no rush. “It’s possible that I might change clubs, but we’ll see. There’s no hurry,” he said.

In addition to his football career, Siltanen is currently in his second year of high school.