One of the most exciting things in football as a fan is seeing a young player burst onto the scene and become a star, despite their tender age.
It's fair to say that while some teams tend to lean on experience still, the saying, 'if you're good enough, you're old enough' has never been truer than it is currently, and that means some of the best players in the world are still teenagers.
With that said, GIVEMESPORT took a look at the most valuable teenagers in the game today, courtesy of CIES, and there are some surprising names on the list alongside some who are already household names.
20. Marc Guiu - Chelsea - €43.8m
Marc Guiu during a pre-match warm-up at Sunderland
A rogue name on the list that many may not expect is Chelsea striker Marc Guiu, who the Blues signed from Barcelona in the summer of 2024.
The Spanish striker netted seven times in 20 appearances for the Blues last season, and then joined Sunderland on loan this summer, before being instantly recalled to be part of Enzo Maresca's squad. The club are said to have a great belief in the 19-year-old, and it will be interesting to watch his development this season, and he will be keen to continue his development as one of the best young strikers in world football.
19. Lewis Miley - Newcastle - €45.2m
Lewis Miley
Lewis Miley
Another surprise name on the list, Newcastle United midfielder Lewis Miley burst onto the scene under Eddie Howe as a 16-year-old in 2023 and he has developed into a regular in their squad, playing both Champions League and Premier League football.
Coming through the club's academy, his connection with fans has helped him to settle, but it's his quality on the ball and engine that make him a top midfield prospect, and at the tender age of 19, there is still plenty of room for development to come.
18. Victor Froholdt - FC Porto - €48.9m
Victor Froholdt Porto
After shining as a youngster for FC Copenhagen, FC Porto made the decision to bring Victor Froholdt to Portugal this summer in a deal worth around €22m as a result of his performances.
A technically sound midfielder, the 19-year-old has already been capped six times by Denmark at the time of writing, and clearly has a huge future ahead of him.
17. Eli Junior Kroupi - Bournemouth - €49.2m
eli kroupi
After shining in France's second division for Lorient, Bournemouth moved to bring Eli Junior Kroupi to the Premier League and he has started the season in excellent form, scoring four goals in his first six games.
His explosive pace, excellent ability to retain possession with his back to goal and quality to beat a defender with the ball at his feet make him one of the most exciting attacking prospects in the world, and he's ranked 17th on this list as a result.
16. Leny Yoro - Manchester United - €50.5m
leny yoro
One of only four defenders on the list, Manchester United star Leny Yoro is living up to his billing as one of the best defensive prospects in the world.
After arriving from Lille in the summer of 2024, the young Frenchman has become a mainstay in the heart of the defence at Old Trafford and is tipped to have a huge future ahead of him. The Reds spent more than his €50.5m valuation to bring him in, showing how highly they rate him.
15. Senny Mayulu - Paris Saint-Germain - €51.6m
Senny Mayulu PSG
It's not always easy to make an impact in a star-studded team, especially as an attacking player, but Senny Mayulu has done just that since breaking into the Paris Saint-Germain side under Luis Enrique, and his development in the last 12 months has been exceptional.
The midfielder has managed to rack up regular minutes and appearances for the European champions, and even featured in the Champions League final as a substitute. A hugely talented footballer with a bright future, it's no shock that he's named in the top 15.
14. Archie Gray - Tottenham Hotspur - €54.0m
archie gray
One name that may surprise people is Tottenham Hotspur star Archie Gray, who comes in at number 14 on the list after a breakthrough campaign with Leeds United as a 16-year-old.
His technical ability saw Spurs splash the cash to sign him, and his quality has seen him play in both full-back positions, as a centre-back and in different midfield roles, despite his tender age. A future England international without question, Gray's talent is undeniable and Spurs have got a young superstar on their books.
13. Rodrigo Mora - FC Porto - €62.7m
rodrigo mora
Portugal have always been known for developing exciting attacking talents, and the next one to come off the conveyor belt is surely FC Porto star Rodrigo Mora.
The talented attacking midfielder broke into the team in the 2024/25 season, with his incredible vision and eye for a pass standing out among his best attributes. After the likes of Luis Figo, Manuel Rui Costa, Deco and Bernardo Silva, Mora looks to be next up to follow in their footsteps.
12. Can Uzun - Eintracht Frankfurt - €64.5m
Can Uzun Frankfurt
In a world full of outstanding, young, attacking talent, Can Uzun is a name who is undoubtedly going under the radar for many. After coming through the Nuremburg academy in Germany, the 19-year-old has now made the move to join Frankfurt and is shining in the Bundesliga.
Compared to players like Jamal Musiala and Mario Gotze, the number ten is seen as the future of the Turkey national team alongside Arda Guler, and he could be ready to explode in the coming seasons.
11. Jorrel Hato - Chelsea - €67.1m
jorrel hato chelsea
The youngest captain in Ajax history, defender Jorrel Hato made the switch to the Premier League to join Chelsea this summer and continues to cement himself as one of the best young defenders in Europe.
Already capped by the Netherlands senior team, the 19-year-old is capable of playing at both left-back and centre-back, and is well known for his excellent ability on the ball as well as his defensive instincts and leadership. Chelsea put him on a seven-year contract because they know his quality and potential, and watching him develop will undoubtedly be fun to see in the coming years.
10 Lucas Bergvall - Tottenham Hotspur - €68.0m
Lucas Bergvall in action for Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur made the leap to sign one of the top Scandinavian talents two years ago, and his development since moving to the Premier League has seen him grow into one of the world's top midfield prospects.
While his game relies around his technical quality, he also has a great engine and is never afraid to get stuck into a challenge. A complete midfielder, and a total package, and it's no surprise to see him ranked this highly.
9 Endrick - Real Madrid - €73.2m
Endrick at his Real Madrid unveiling
Brazil has a magical history of developing exciting and sensational attacking players, and Endrick is one of the next to join the list. As a 16-year-old, the young striker was starring for Santos before eventually joining European giants Real Madrid.
While he has struggled for regular game time since that move, his talent is undeniable, and at just 19, he still has almost his entire career ahead of him. His ball striking is terrific, and he has a throwback style to his centre-forward play to go with his pace, which makes him someone who will always be exciting to watch, and it would be a real surprise to see him not reach his potential.
8 Geovany Quenda - Sporting CP/Chelsea - €80.2m
Geovany Quenda
With Sporting CP winning the last two Portuguese league titles, a lot of their success has come from young academy talent being given a chance. But one of the biggest success stories is undoubtedly the development of winger Geovany Quenda, whose explosive pace and trickery have made him a top attacking prospect.
His performances were enough to convince Chelsea to sign him a year in advance, and his progress has continued this season. He's yet to make his senior Portugal debut, but he has been named in squads before, and at 18 the room for improvement is scary.
7 Myles Lewis-Skelly - Arsenal - €84.8m
myles lewis-skelly-1
A central midfielder by trade, Myles Lewis-Skelly has become a mainstay in the Arsenal first-team in the last 12 months after breaking into the side as a left-back, and that has earned him global recognition.
The 19-year-old has played for England and Arsenal regularly since making his debut, with his technical quality and composure being his stand-out attributes, along with his passing. He has earned praise to be a player wise beyond his years, and it's exciting to think of where he could end up - especially if he ends up moving back into midfield.
6 Ethan Nwaneri - Arsenal - €88.1m
Ethan Nwaneri
It's crazy to think that there is a teenager at Arsenal with a higher ceiling of potential than Lewis-Skelly, but Ethan Nwaneri absolutely falls into that category of player. Having made his Premier League debut at the age of 15, Nwaneri has developed into a well-rounded attacking midfielder who is capable of running a game with his passing, can beat a player with skill and also has a terrific eye for goal.
The 18-year-old has the skill and quality to reach the very top, and there is no reason he won't make it. With a valuation of €88.1m, he falls just outside the top five.
5 Warren Zaire-Emery - Paris Saint-Germain - €92.3m
Zaire-Emery
Another incredibly talented central midfielder who broke into the first-team of his club at the tender age of 16, Zaire-Emery has fallen down the pecking order at PSG in recent times, but his talent is still unbelievable.
The France international is competing with the likes of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz for regular first-team football, but whenever he plays it's clear to see how good he is. A fine dribbler with great pace, he's also a very good passer of the ball and someone who gets around the pitch, his €92.3m valuation puts him in the top five.
4 Franco Mastantuono - Real Madrid - €102.4m
franco mastantuono
Not many people had heard of Franco Mastantuono 12 months ago, but after a fine campaign with River Plate last year before a mega-money move to Real Madrid in the summer, he's now becoming a household name under Xabi Alonso's guidance.
A technical superstar with a rocket of a right foot, Mastantuono makes up for a lack of explosiveness with a brilliant footballing brain and a determination to be the best, which see him valued at €102.4m in fourth place.
3 Pau Cubarsi - Barcelona - €112.3m
Pau Cubarsi Barcelona
The highest-ranked defender on this list, Barcelona star Pau Cubarsi has already emerged as one of the best defenders in the world, regardless of age.
His passing ability is second-to-none in his position, but he's also a physical monster, is quick, dominates in the air and also has an ability to read the game to avoid danger. There's a reason he's the first defensive name on Hansi Flick's teamsheet at the Camp Nou, and he could be around for years to come at the top of the game.
2 Estevao - Chelsea - €118.1m
estevao
After shining with Palmeiras as a baby-faced forward in Brazil, Chelsea splashed the cash once again to secure the signature of one of the top young players in the world, and Estevao is already showing why it was the right decision.
With exhilarating pace, a wand of a left foot and the traditional Brazilian flair that comes with being their attackers, he is already becoming a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge for his performances and the room for growth is scary - with Gilberto Silva believing that he can go on to become one of the best in the world.
1 Lamine Yamal - Barcelona - €349.6m
lamine yamal
It will come as a surprise to absolutely nobody that the man at the top of the list is Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, and there is clearly nobody even close to him.
The Spain international has been one of the first names on the teamsheet at the Camp Nou since he was 16, and he has already won the Spanish league title and the European Championships with his country, while he finished 2nd in the Ballon d'Or in 2025 too. Barcelona believe he could be one of the club's greats, and have handed him Lionel Messi's famous number ten shirt to prove it.
His value of €349.6m is just under three times the value of second place, proving just how big the gap is between him and the rest of the pack.