14 Out of 16 Clubs Rank Him First: Matviy Ponomarenko Named UPL's Best Young Player.

Rising Stars Shine in Ukrainian Football

According to Novyny.live: A recent survey across the Ukrainian Premier League has crowned 20-year-old Matviy Ponomarenko as the 'Best Young Player' for the 2025/26 season. The voting involved all 16 league clubs, with Ponomarenko earning recognition from 15 teams—14 of which placed him at the very top of their ballots.

On the pitch, Ponomarenko delivered standout performances, scoring 13 goals in 15 matches while logging 1,056 minutes of play. His achievements also earned him a debut with the Ukrainian national team, where he marked the occasion with a goal in his very first appearance.

Top Three and What Lies Ahead

Joining Ponomarenko in the top three were:

• Karpaty goalkeeper Nazar Domchak
• Dynamo defender Taras Mykhavko

These results highlight the depth of young talent in Ukrainian football, signaling promising prospects for the sport's growth in the country.

Ponomarenko's recognition as 'Best Young Player' underscores the rising importance of youth in Ukrainian sports. — football expert

With talents like Ponomarenko emerging, Ukrainian football is well-positioned for further progress on the international stage. The success of these young players may also encourage other clubs to invest more heavily in their academies and youth development programs.