The CIES Football Observatory released its list of the most valuable teenage footballers globally, with Barcelona’s 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal topping the rankings.
Among the top 100 players under 23, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer stands out after an impressive debut season at Stamford Bridge, valued at £100 million. Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Man City’s Jeremy Doku are also prominent, rated at £110 million and £91.5 million, respectively.
In other news from the Premier League, Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund holds the fifth position as the most valuable player, rated at £92.4 million. Meanwhile, Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has been valued at £83 million.
Sports Buddy takes a look at the most valuable teenagers, according to Daily Mail.
First XI of the most valuable teenage footballers currently
Guillaume Restes (Toulouse): GOALKEEPER
Age: 19
Value: £24m
Restes, a product of Toulouse’s academy, has become the club’s primary goalkeeper at just 19 years old after signing his first professional contract at 16. Drawing comparisons to Toulouse’s former keeper Alban Lafont, he has started all 28 Ligue 1 games this season out of a total of 35, contributing to the team’s solid defensive record and securing a mid-table position.
Leny Yoro (Lille): RIGHT BACK
Age: 18
Value: £37m
Yoro, hailed as one of Europe’s top defensive talents, is attracting interest from clubs like Real Madrid. At 18 years old, he has started 26 Ligue 1 games this season, scoring twice, showcasing his prowess. Emerging from an illustrious academy that produced stars like Eden Hazard and Franck Ribery, he has become a key player for his team, making 37 total appearances this season.
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona): CENTRE-BACK
Age: 17
Value: £21m
Pau Cubarsi, a 17-year-old center-back, has rapidly ascended to a regular starting role at Barcelona under manager Xavi. With ten starts in LaLiga and two in the Champions League, including a historic appearance as the youngest starter in a quarter-final against PSG, Cubarsi has earned significant trust despite his age, showcasing his immense talent and potential.
Jorrel Hato (Ajax): CENTRE-BACK
Age: 18
Value: £68m
Despite Ajax’s challenging season, 18-year-old defender Jorrel Hato has emerged as a standout player and a beacon of promise for the future. With Ajax’s struggles, including conceding 55 goals, Hato’s resilience and development have been evident. Becoming a regular starter this season, he has made 42 appearances, including wearing the captain’s armband on occasion, following Jurrien Timber’s departure to Arsenal.
Rico Lewis (Manchester City): LEFT BACK
Age: 19
Value: £70m
Lewis, an England international, has become a well-established player at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. His breakthrough occurred last season when he made 23 appearances and contributed to the treble-winning side. In the current campaign, he has made 24 outings, starting seven times in the Premier League and six times in the Champions League. Although he hasn’t cemented a regular starting position yet, Lewis has shown promise by scoring two goals and providing three assists. With time on his side, his future looks bright as he continues to progress.
Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG): CENTRE MID
Age: 18
Value: £67m
Zaire-Emery, PSG’s youngest-ever player in Ligue 1, is setting records at a remarkable pace. At just 18 years old, he holds the records for youngest goalscorer and youngest player to start a Champions League knockout game in UEFA history. He has quickly become a first-choice central midfielder at PSG, playing 36 games this season, with three goals and five assists to his name. Additionally, he has earned two caps for the French national team, scoring on his senior debut against Gibraltar.
Joao Neves (Benfica): CENTRE-MID
Age: 19
Value: £90m
Neves, at just 19 years old, has already made significant strides in his football career. Having joined his boyhood club at the age of 11, he has amassed 67 appearances for them. Now, both Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly vying for his signature this summer, indicating his growing reputation in the football world. This season, he has started 23 times in the Portuguese Liga, contributing three goals and one assist. Additionally, he has been a consistent starter in both the Champions League, where Benfica exited at the group stage, and the Europa League, featuring in four games.
Endrick (Palmeiras/Real Madrid): ATTACKING-MID
Age: 17
Value: £77m
Endrick, at just 17 years old, has already made a significant impact on the international stage, scoring his first two goals for Brazil against England and Spain. His mature performances for Palmeiras have caught the attention of Real Madrid, where he is set to move this summer. Despite not yet playing in a major league, he has won the Brazilian Serie A twice with Palmeiras and the Supercopa. This experience will undoubtedly benefit him as he transitions to European football with Madrid.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): RIGHT WING
Age: 16
Value: £124m
Yamal, aged just 16, has become a crucial player for Barcelona, valued at £124m by CIES. With five goals and four assists across all competitions, his talent is evident, earning the trust of coach Xavi. Despite his youth, he has already earned six caps for the Spanish national team. Having signed a contract extension until 2026 with a buyout clause of £857m, it appears his future lies with Barcelona for the foreseeable future.
Evan Ferguson (Brighton): STRIKER
Age: 19
Value: £80m
Ferguson attracted attention from top clubs at the start of the season with his goal-scoring exploits for Brighton, leading their charge after the departure of key players. While he scored four goals in his first four Premier League games, his form has since dipped, with only two goals up to November. Despite a current goal drought since November, Ferguson, still a teenager, has room to develop his game, with Tottenham showing interest last summer.
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United): LEFT WING
Age: 19
Value: £92m
