A huge number of young players have made their mark in the footballing world within the past few seasons. Some already winning a host of trophies and are playing in the biggest of matches. Here’s a list of the most valuable young footballers in 2021.
10. Phil Foden – $78.7 Million
Age: 20
Position: Central Midfield
Nationality: England
Club: Manchester City
Stockport’s Iniesta, as he has been nicknamed, Phil Foden is one of the most exciting English prospects. With a few trophy-laden years already in the bag for him with his club Manchester City, the 20-year-old will look to add the Champions League title to his name this season.
9. Pedri – $78.7 Million
Age: 18
Position: Attacking Midfield
Nationality: Spain
Club: Barcelona
First, of the two Barcelona wonderkids on our list, Pedri has made huge strides towards greatness this season. The 18-year-old has made a mark in every Barcelona fan’s heart by playing top-quality football at this young age.
8. Matthijs De Ligt – $84.375
Age: 21
Position: Centre Back
Nationality: Netherlands
Club: Juventus
Former captain of Ajax Amsterdam, Matthijs De Ligt, hasn’t had the best of times at his new Italian club. Even though he has won the Serie A in his first season, the second season has been a total failure as of now amidst rumours of him moving to Barcelona under Dutch coach Ronald Koeman.
7. Alphonso Davies – $84.375 Million
Age: 20
Position: Left-Back
Nationality: Canada
Club: Bayern Munich
Bayern’s roadrunner, Alphonso Davies burst on the scene last season due to his frightening pace and amazing footballing ability. Already a Champions League winner, the 20-year-old has had another decent season with the Bavarians this year.
6. João Félix – $90 Million
Age: 21
Position: Centre-Forward
Nationality: Portugal
Club: Atlético Madrid
In his second season at Atletico, João Félix has scored 10 goals and assisted 5. With his club at the top of the La Liga table, he would be hoping to guide the Madrid side to the title by playing his best in the last few games of this season.
5. Ansu Fati – $90 Million
Age: 18
Position: Winger
Nationality: Spain
Club: Barcelona
The second Barcelona wonderkid, Ansu Fati, just 18 years of age and carrying the weight of the Catalan club’s faithful. After scoring eight goals in all competitions, Fati made a name for himself last season. This season he has been out due to injury since last November.
4. Trent Alexander-Arnold – $111.7 Million
Age: 22
Position: Right-Back
Nationality: England
Club: Liverpool
Liverpool’s young right-back, Trent Alexander Arnold, is not having the best of seasons. Weak performances from him have shown in the club’s performance as they will go trophyless this season. However, he has kept his value up due to the amazing performances in the past seasons which have seen him win the Champions League and the Premier League.
3. Jadon Sancho – $111.7 Million
Age: 21
Position: Winger
Nationality: England
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Jadon Sancho picked up form midway through the season and bagged 12 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. Dortmund is not destined for huge success this season either, so it remains to be seen whether Sancho moves to another club or not.
2. Erling Haaland – $123 Million
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Nationality: Norway
Club: Borussia Dortmund
The second-most valuable young player, Norway’s Erling Haaland burst onto the scene last year with his deadly finishing skills. This year, he has not disappointed while playing for his new club Dortmund. He has scored 37 goals and given 11 assists in all competitions this season.
1. Kylian Mbappe – $178.76 Million
Age: 22
Position: Centre-Forward
Nationality: France
Club: Paris Saint Germain
The most valuable young footballer in 2021 as well as the most valuable footballer overall, Kylian Mbappe, has had another emphatic season with 37 goals and 10 assists in all competitions. The young World Cup winner has a task on his hands as he faces Manchester City next week after going down 1-2 to the English team in Paris in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
