The most valuable teenagers in world football
Lamine Yamal played an instrumental role in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024, finishing as the best young player of the tournament. Turkiye’s hopes for something special at the continental forum were mainly linked with Arda Guler, while Kobbie Mainoo had to start England’s first three games on the bench before convincing Gareth Southgate that he deserved a starting spot in England’s line-up. One thing Yamal, Mainoo, and Guler have in common is that they are yet to turn 20 years of age. With the rise to prominence of such talents, Sportingpedia decided to investigate the most valuable teenagers in football. Currently, Yamal is the player yet to turn 20 years, holding the highest market value in the world at €120 million, while Mainoo ranks fifth. Another curious finding is that the Manchester United prodigy has seen the biggest rise compared to 12 months ago, with his estimate surging from just €0.8 million in 2023 to €55 million now. It is worth noting that only one of the 10 most valuable teenagers in the world is non-European. Eight of them have already made their senior international debuts, with only Leny Yoro and Mathys Tel yet to feature for France. Kobbie Mainoo has seen his stock rise by a staggering 6775% since last summer – the highest of all – while Gavi is the only footballer whose estimate has not changed one bit.
Key Takeaways:
- Lamine Yamal is the most valuable teenager in the world with a value of €120 million
- Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United each boast 2 players among the 10 most valuable teenagers
- Kobbie Mainoo has seen his value skyrocket by 6775% compared to last summer
- Endrick is the only non-European within the top 10
- France and Spain are the only nations boasting more than one player in the ranking
- Leny Yoro is the only defender on the list
- Leny Yoro and Mathys Tel are the only players in the ranking yet to record their international senior debuts
Lamine Yamal
Barcelona | 17 | Spain | Market Value: €120M (Increase: 380%)
Lamine Yamal enjoyed a breakthrough season with Barcelona during the 2023/24 campaign. He participated in 50 matches at the club level, scoring 7 goals and providing 10 assists in 2,957 minutes of game time. Since the summer of 2023, his market value has surged by 380%, rising from €25 million to €120 million. Yamal, who turned 17 as recently as July 13th, is now the most valuable teenager in football. He has already recorded 14 games and 3 goals for Spain’s senior national team after helping them to the gold medals at Euro 2024.
Gavi
Barcelona | 19 | Spain | Market Value: €90M (No Change)
Second in the ranking comes another Barcelona starlet, Gavi, whose valuation remains at €90 million. The midfielder did not have the best period over the previous 12 months, suffering from numerous injuries. Gavi featured in 15 games for the Catalan giants, scoring 2 goals and delivering 1 assist in 1,172 minutes of football. Despite missing Euro 2024 due to a knee injury, he has earned 27 international caps for Spain, with 5 goals.
Warren Zaire-Emery
Paris Saint-Germain | 18 | France | Market Value: €60M (Increase: 200%)
Warren Zaire-Emery had a standout season with PSG in the 2023/24 campaign. The French midfielder featured in 43 matches, scoring 3 goals and providing 7 assists in 3,326 minutes of game time. His market value surged by 200% over the past year, rising from €20 million to €60 million. He has represented France at senior level 3 times, scoring 1 goal. Zaire-Emery helped PSG secure a 1st place finish in Ligue 1, although the team was eliminated at the semi-finals stage of the Champions League.
Endrick
Real Madrid | 18 | Brazil | Market Value: €60M (Increase: 140%)
Endrick, the Brazilian wonderkid, showcased his potential during the 2023/24 season with Palmeiras. He participated in 22 matches, netting 4 goals and contributing 2 assists over 1,590 minutes. His market value increased by 140%, from €25 million to €60 million since last summer. Endrick has earned 10 caps for Brazil, scoring 3 goals. He spent the first half of the Brazilian championship with Palmeiras, leaving the team in 2nd place in Serie A before leaving for Real Madrid. Endrick will be presented as a new Los Blancos player on Saturday.
Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United | 19 | England | Market Value: €55M (Increase: 6775%)
Kobbie Mainoo experienced a meteoric rise in his market value, which increased by an astonishing 6775%, from just €0.8 million to a whopping €55 million. The young English midfielder played 33 matches for Manchester United throughout the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists in 2,495 minutes. Mainoo has already been capped 9 times for England’s senior team. He and Manchester United finished 8th in the Premier League but won the FA Cup after a brilliant 2-0 victory over cross-town rivals Manchester City in the final.
Joao Neves
Benfica | 19 | Portugal | Market Value: €55M (Increase: 450%)
Joao Neves had an impressive season with Benfica, participating in 55 matches and recording 3 goals along with 2 assists in a staggering 4,303 minutes of play. His market value saw a substantial increase of 450% across the past 12 months, rising from €10 million to €55 million. Neves has 9 senior caps for Portugal. He and Benfica finished in 2nd position behind Sporting in the Portuguese league during the 2023/24 season. Neves is strongly linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Leny Yoro
Manchester United | 18 | France | Market Value: €50M (Increase: 400%)
Leny Yoro made significant strides in his career last season, featuring in 44 matches for Lille and scoring 3 goals in 3,690 minutes. His market value increased by 400%, from €10 million to €50 million. Yoro has not yet made his senior international debut for France. During the previous Ligue 1 campaign, Yoro and Lille finished 4th. He recently joined Manchester United and is expected to quickly establish himself as a key figure in the Red Devils defence.
Evan Ferguson
Brighton | 19 | Ireland | Market Value: €50M (Increase: 67%)
Evan Ferguson had a mixed season with Brighton, playing in 36 matches and scoring 6 goals with 1 assist in 1,721 minutes. His market value grew by 67%, from €30 million last summer to €50 million now. Ferguson has represented Ireland at the senior level 12 times, scoring 3 goals. Brighton and Ferguson finished 11th in the Premier League.
Arda Guler
Real Madrid | 19 | Turkiye | Market Value: €45M (Increase: 200%)
Arda Guler had a remarkable season with Real Madrid, scoring 6 goals in just 12 matches over 440 minutes. Guler’s playing time was limited because of injuries, but his market value still doubled, increasing by 200% from €15 million to €45 million. Guler has earned 12 caps for Turkiye, scoring 2 goals. He won LaLiga and the Champions League with Real Madrid in his debut season with the club.
Mathys Tel
Bayern Munich | 19 | France | Market Value: €40M (Increase: 100%)
Mathys Tel enjoyed a successful season with Bayern Munich, featuring in 41 matches, scoring 10 goals, and providing 6 assists in 1,406 minutes. His market value increased by 100%, from €20 million to €40 million. Tel has not yet made his senior international debut for France. Despite his contributions, Bayern Munich finished 3rd in the Bundesliga.