Rodri, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior are arguably the five finest players in Europe at the moment. These exceptionally talented soccer stars are making fans fall in love with the sport all over again, proving greatness prevails in Europe even after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Likewise, the streak of excellence will not end after this current crop fizzles out, as another batch of gifted individuals are already making waves across the continent. In this list below, we will analyze the data from the CIES Football Observatory to identify the 10 most highly rated players in the world. Continue reading to meet the players and explore how they have fared so far for their current teams.
#10 Kenan Yildiz (Juventus & Turkey): €72.3 million ($77.5 million)
Juventus youngster Kenan Yildiz, who is worth a cool €72.3 million ($77.5 million), is the most expensive U21 player in Serie A. The 19-year-old joined the club’s U19 side from FC Bayern U19 in July 2022. In November 2023, the Turkish second-striker earned his first professional contract with the Bianconeri. In August, Yildiz signed a new deal with Juve, committing to stay at the club until June 30, 2029.
Yildiz has been in top form this season. So far, he has played 16 games in all competitions for the Old Lady, scoring four goals and providing three assists. Overall, he has played 48 games for the Bianconeri, netting eight goals and claiming four assists. Yildiz has also become a regular for Turkey, scoring one goal and providing four assists in 16 games.
#9 Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United & England): €74.8 million ($80.2 million)
Manchester United academy star Kobbie Mainoo is in ninth place with a whopping €74.8 million ($80.2 million) valuation. The English central midfielder signed his first professional contract in January 2023. The following month, he extended his contract, agreeing to stay put until June 30, 2027.
Mainoo has played 44 games for the Red Devils in all competitions, scoring five goals and providing an assist. For England, meanwhile, he has taken part in 10 games. He has yet to score or assist for his country.
#8 Arda Guler (Real Madrid & Turkey): €76.7 million ($82.2 million)
One of the most creatively gifted U21 players in the world, Arda Guler is worth €76.7 million ($82.2 million). The 19-year-old joined Real Madrid from Fenerbahce in a €20 million ($21.4 million) deal last year, signing a six-year contract (June 2029).
Due to niggling injuries, Guler barely played in his first season. He has kept himself fit this season, but Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has not deployed him as frequently as the youngster would have liked. Since joining Los Blancos, Guler has played 24 games in all competitions, scoring six goals. Meanwhile, for Turkey, the 19-year-old has played 16 goals, scoring three goals and providing three assists.
#7 Rico Lewis (Manchester City & England): €87.2 million ($93.4 million)
Manchester City’s talented young right-back, Rico Lewis, who is valued at €87.2 million ($93.4 million), is the most valuable U21 defender in the Premier League. Lewis came through Man City’s academy to sign his first senior-team contract in the summer of 2022. The 19-year-old signed his last contract in August 2023, committing to stay until June 30, 2028.
With Kyle Walker on the treatment table, Lewis has been a regular for Pep Guardiola this season. He has played 17 games thus far, providing four assists. Overall, he has played 67 games for the Cityzens, scoring three goals and providing eight assists. Lewis has also represented the England senior team in four games.
#6 Endrick (Real Madrid & Brazil): €97.7 million ($104.7 million)
Real Madrid brought 18-year-old Endrick from Palmeiras for a sizable €47.5 million ($50.9 million) fee ahead of the 2024-25 season, signing him on a six-year deal (June 2030). Coach Carlo Ancelotti deployed him quite frequently in the first few weeks but minutes have become harder to come by for Endrick lately. The center-forward has played 10 games in all competitions, scoring two times and providing an assist.
Endrick has already played 13 games for Brazil, scoring three times.
#5 Joao Neves (PSG & Portugal): €99.8 million ($106.9 million)
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is pushing hard to build a team for the future, and Joao Neves is expected to be at the heart of it. The Portuguese defensive midfielder, who is one of the best in Ligue 1, joined the Parisians from Benfica for a whopping €59.9 million ($64.2 million) fee in August 2024. PSG tied the 20-year-old to a five-year contract (June 30, 2029).
Neves has been a regular under Luis Enrique this season. He has played 15 games in all competitions, scoring a goal and providing six assists. The Benfica academy graduate has also played 11 matches for Portugal.
#4 Savinho (Manchester City & Brazil): €101 million ($108.2 million)
Manchester City paid Ligue 1 side Troyes €25 million ($26.8 million) to sign Savio Morreira aka Savinho in the 2024-25 summer transfer window. The transfer was a masterstroke from City, as Savinho was worth €50 million ($53.6 million) at the time (via Transfermarkt). Savinho is contractually obligated to play for City until June 30, 2029.
Savinho has been like a breath of fresh air for City, always driving forward with intent. He has played 15 matches for the club in all competitions, providing five assists. The 20-year-old is slowly but steadily becoming an important player for Brazil. He has played nine international games, scoring one goal and providing three assists.
#3 Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG & France): €109 million ($116.8 million)
Worth €109 million ($116.8 million), PSG academy graduate Warren Zaire-Emery is the most valuable U21 player in Ligue 1. The Frenchman secured his professional contract with PSG in July 2022 and has not looked back since. He signed an improved contract in April 2024, committing his future to the club until June 30, 2029.
The central midfielder has played 88 games for PSG in all competitions so far, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists. The 18-year-old has also five matches for France, scoring one goal.
#2 Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United & Argentina): €114.8 million ($123 million)
Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho has claimed the second spot in the rankings, courtesy of his massive €114.8 million ($123 million) valuation. The 20-year-old, who joined Manchester United U18 from Atletico Youth in 2020, secured his senior-team contract in July 2022. His last extension came in April 2023, tying him to the club until June 30, 2028.
Garnacho has yet to cement his place as an undroppable member of the first team, but he undoubtedly has the quality to get there. So far, he has played 104 games for the Red Devils, scoring 22 goals and providing 14 assists. Garnacho has also played seven games for Argentina’s senior team, scoring one goal.
#1 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona & Spain): €180.9 million ($193.9 million)
Carrying a jaw-dropping €180.9 million ($193.9 million) valuation, Barcelona poster boy Lamine Yamal is by far the most valuable U21 player in the world. The 17-year-old earned his first professional contract with Barcelona in July 2023. In October 2023, he signed a better deal, which tied him to the club until June 30, 2026. Barca plans to give the Spaniard a much longer-term contract after he turns 18.
Yamal has been sensational for Barcelona so far, scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists in 67 games in all competitions. The teenager is already one of the first names on the team sheets for Spain and has recorded three goals and nine assists in 17 outings. He scored one goal and provided four assists as Spain won the 2024 European Championship, emerging as the Best Young Player of the Tournament.
