Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal is undoubtedly the most exciting 17-year-old in the world right now. After enjoying a breakout campaign with his boyhood club in the 2023-24 season, Yamal helped La Roja to the 2024 European Championship (EURO 2024), emerging as the Best Young Player of the Tournament. Many believe Yamal has the potential to be as good or even better than Lionel Messi, as even the Argentine icon was not as impactful at 17.
Of course, Yamal is not the only one who has shown his quality in his teens. Quite a few have reached lofty valuations in their 17s, with a few proving their mettle while others losing the spark that helped them stand out. Today, we will meet some players who have reached insane valuations in their 17s and check out how they fared down the road. Here are the 10 most valuable 17-year-old players in soccer history:
Data: Transfermarkt
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#10 Pedri (Barcelona): €30 million ($32.65 million)
Pedri Is Barcelona’s Midfield General After impressing for Las Palmas U19, Pedri joined Barcelona for a basic fee of €5 million + €18 million in add-ons in September 2019. In November 2020, he emerged as one of the most valuable 17-year-olds in history, with his valuation reaching a lofty €30 million ($32.65 million). Pedri became an integral part of Barca’s future in the 2020-21 season…
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#9 Vinicius Jr. (Flamengo): €35 million ($38.10 million)
Vinicius Jr. Celebrating After Scoring A Goal For Flamengo Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. became the most valuable 17-year-old in Brazilian soccer during his time with Flamengo. The left-winger’s market value soared to a whopping €35 million ($38.10 million) in May 2018 — a couple of months before he signed for Real Madrid. Vinicius Jr. has developed…
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#8 Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen): €45 million ($48.98 million)
Florian Wirtz Is Bayer Leverkusen’s Most Valuable Player Florian Wirtz touched €45 million ($48.98 million) market valuation at the tender age of 17 in February 2021 — roughly a year after he joined Bayer Leverkusen from FC Koln. Wirtz has steadily developed into one of the finest attacking midfielders in the game, capable of…
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#7 Eduardo Camavinga (Stade Rennais): €50 million ($54.43 million)
Real Madrid Beat Liverpool For Eduardo Camavinga’s Services Eduardo Camavinga reached a valuation of €50 million ($54.43 million) as a Stade Rennais player in October 2020. At the end of the 2020-21 season, Camavinga signed for Real Madrid for a reported €31 million ($33.73 million) fee. Camavinga, who has served not only as a defensive…
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#6 Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund): €55 million ($59.87 million)
Jude Bellingham Spent Three Years At Dortmund Jude Bellingham earned plaudits for his performances at Birmingham City. But he truly started his development after he joined Borussia Dortmund in July 2020. In May 2021, he became the most valuable 17-year-old in Bundesliga history, with Transfermarkt valuing him at €55 million ($59.87 million). Bellingham…
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#5 Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG): €60 million ($65.31 million)
Warren Zaire Emery Is The Future Of PSG Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) academy graduate became the most valuable 17-year-old in French soccer history when his valuation climbed to €60 million ($65.31 million) in December 2023. Zaire-Emery, who has been with PSG’s senior team since July 2022, is one of the cornerstones of the team’s…
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#4 Endrick (Palmeiras): €60 million ($65.31 million)
Real Madrid Youngster Endrick Is One Of The Most Valuable Player Playing Outside Europe Brazilian sensation Endrick broke Vinicius Jr.’s record as a Palmeiras player in June 2024, with his valuation creeping up to €60 million ($65.31 million). Endrick had agreed to join Real Madrid by then, but could not move to the Spanish capital…
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#3 Gavi (Barcelona): €60 million ($65.31 million)
Gavi, 19, Has Already Played Over 100 Games For Barcelona La Masia graduate Gavi is the third name on the list, having reached a valuation of €60 million ($65.31 million) in June 2022. Gavi, who joined Barcelona’s youth system from Real Betis in July 2015, earned the official promotion to Barca’s first team in July 2021…
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#2 Ansu Fati (Barcelona): €80 million ($87.08 million)
Ansu Fati Was Once The Most Valuable 17-Year-Old In The World Ansu Fati emerged as the most valuable 17-year-old in history in October 2020, with his estimated market valuation s0aring to €80 million ($87.08 million). The La Masia graduate spent three seasons with the senior team (2020/21–2022-23) but niggling injuries and underwhelming performances led to a loan spell away…
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#1 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): €120 million ($130.62 million)
Lamine Yamal Is Soccer’s Youngest International Trophy Winner Lastly, we have Lamine Yamal, by far the most valuable 17-year-old in the history of the sport. The €120 million ($130.62 million) man shook the world in his first full season at Barcelona, recording six goals and 10 assists in 49 matches across competitions. He carried his heroics over to EURO 2024, chipping…
