Discover the rising stars set to succeed Ronaldo and Messi in football's ever-changing landscape. Meet the most valuable players under 21: Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Florian Wirtz, Alejandro Garnacho, and Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Football is an ever-changing game. As superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi reach the twilight of their careers, new stars must rise to take their place. The former of that duo is now aged 39 and finds himself collecting eye-watering cheques in Saudi Arabia, while the latter is now 37, and has recently been shockingly eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs after a record-breaking regular season stateside.
But while the two all-time greats that have dominated on the pitch for the better part of the last two decades are now on their way out, young hungry lions have risen to the fore to take their throne. Here are the most valuable players under 21 years of age on the planet according to the highly reputable Transfermarkt.
Jude Bellingham's journey from Birmingham City to becoming one of Real Madrid's galacticos has been nothing short of remarkable. Valued at €180 million, the gifted Englishman has established himself as one of the most versatile midfielders in the game. His ability to control the tempo in midfield as well as contribute with goals and assists in attack has seen him excel since making the move to the Santiago Bernabeu 18 months ago.
The former Blues academy hotshot originally left St. Andrew's for Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2020, with the German club forking out a premium €30m to secure his services. Many thought that Die Schwarzgelben had overpaid for the teenager, but they were about to make a huge profit on their investment. Bellingham took BVB to the brink of a first Bundesliga title in over a decade in the 2022/23 season, ultimately falling at the final hurdle before he made the move to the Spanish capital for a whopping €113m.
Since then, however, the Three Lions' talisman has gone from strength to strength. He racked up a mighty 23 goals and provided a further 13 assists in 42 appearances in his first campaign with Los Blancos, helping his new side to a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double. He was then in scintillating form throughout the summer as he helped England reach the final of Euro 2024, scoring a stunning 96th-minute overhead kick in the Round of 16 to keep his country in the tournament.
This season, he has started somewhat slower than he did last term, taking a backseat to Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr, as well as new signing Kylian Mbappe. Despite that, though, Bellingham is still expected to have a trophy-laden year, with the latest online sports betting odds making Real Madrid a +500 second favorite to win the Champions League once again next term.
17-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has arrived seemingly out of nowhere to rack up a massive €150m valuation. The La Masia academy product has taken the football world by storm over the last year, with his incredible talent and maturity beyond his years resembling a certain left-footed right winger by the name of Lionel Messi, who also emerged out of Barca's famed academy.
Barely a year ago, Yamal was an unknown quantity. Since then, he has broken into the Blaugrana's first team and provided 16 goal involvements in his breakthrough campaign. His electrifying pace and technical ability make him a constant threat, so much so that he was thrust into Spain's first team at just 16 years of age. However, he wouldn't let his young years deter him and he was arguably the star of the show as La Roja claimed the European Championships in the summer, with Yamal's rocket in the semifinals against France arguably being the goal of the tournament.
This season, the now 17-year-old has taken his performance to another level. He has provided six goals and eight assists in just 16 games so far this term, helping Barcelona to the top spot in La Liga. He scored in an embarrassing 4-0 victory against archrivals Real Madrid in the Bernabeu installment of El Clasico earlier this season, and further performances will surely take the title away from the capital and into Catalonia.
It's scarcely believable that Florian Wirtz is still just 21 years old considering how long he has been in the Bayer Leverkusen first-team setup. He broke into the starting line-up in the 2020/21 season at just 17 years of age, replacing the outgoing fellow academy product Kai Havertz, who departed for Premier League giants Chelsea. Since then, Wirtz has gone from strength to strength, making almost 170 appearances in all competitions and seeing his market value soar to €130m.
Known for his vision, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, the attacking midfielder has become an indispensable asset both at the BayArena and for the German national team. His performances were crucial as Leverkusen claimed the Bundesliga for the first time last season, and with manager Xabi Alonso remaining at the club despite a host of Europe's heavyweights sniffing round, they may well claim the Meisterschale once again this term.
Alejandro Garnacho has swiftly risen through the ranks at Manchester United to become one of the most promising talents in world football. Valued at €25 million, the Argentine-Spanish winger has caught the eye with his explosive pace, dribbling skills, and ability to change the course of a game in an instant. Garnacho's journey began in the youth academies of Atlético Madrid before making a move to Manchester United's academy in 2020.
Since breaking into the first team at Old Trafford, Garnacho has made significant strides. He made his senior debut in the 2021/22 season and quickly became a fan favorite due to his fearless approach and knack for scoring crucial goals. His performances have not only solidified his place in United's squad but have also earned him a call-up to the Argentine national team, where he has begun to make his mark alongside established stars like Lionel Messi.
Garnacho's 2022/23 season was a breakthrough, as he contributed significantly to Manchester United's attacking prowess, recording several goals and assists in all competitions. His ability to take on defenders and create opportunities has made him a vital asset for both club and country. With his career trajectory on a steep upward curve, Garnacho is poised to become one of football's next big superstars.
Warren Zaïre-Emery is another prodigious talent making waves in European football. At just 17 years old, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has been turning heads with his composure, vision, and tactical intelligence that belies his young age. Valued at €15 million, Zaïre-Emery is already being touted as the future of France's midfield.
A product of PSG's renowned youth academy, Zaïre-Emery made his senior debut during the 2022/23 season. Despite stiff competition for places in a star-studded squad, he has managed to carve out a role for himself, impressing both fans and critics alike with mature performances in domestic and European competitions. His ability to control the midfield, break up play, and initiate attacks has drawn comparisons to some of the game's greats.
Internationally, Zaïre-Emery has represented France at various youth levels and is seen as a key figure in the nation's next golden generation. His rapid development has not gone unnoticed, and many expect him to become a mainstay in both PSG's lineup and the French national team in the years to come.
