Youth football valuations are soaring, with a new ranking from the CIES-Football Observatory highlighting the significant financial stakes in securing elite talent as Chelsea-bound Geovany Quenda emerges among the world’s most valuable players under 20.
The 18-year-old Sporting winger, already set to join English club Chelsea, is valued at approximately $86.6 million (€80.2 million). This places him 8th on the list, making him the only Portuguese player in the top 10.
The report, released Wednesday, underscores the immense economic value placed on young prospects by top clubs globally.
Leading the ranking is Spanish forward Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, whose valuation reaches an estimated $377.6 million (€349.6 million). This figure is nearly three times higher than the second-ranked player.
Brazilian Estêvão, another Chelsea acquisition, holds the second spot with a valuation of roughly $127.5 million (€118.1 million).
Other talents exceeding $100 million in value include Spanish defender Pau Cubarsí of Barcelona, estimated at $121.7 million (€112.7 million), and Argentine Franco Mastantuono, valued at around $110.6 million (€102.4 million).
The comprehensive list features 113 footballers under the age of 20, all valued at more than $10.8 million (€10 million).
Several other players from Portuguese clubs or with Portuguese connections also made the ranking. Rodrigo Mora of FC Porto is valued at approximately $67.7 million (€62.7 million). Victor Froholdt, also from FC Porto, is estimated at $52.8 million (€48.9 million).
Roger Fernandes, currently at Al Ittihad, carries an approximate value of $30.1 million (€27.9 million). João Simões of Sporting is listed at about $17.2 million (€15.9 million).
William Gomes of FC Porto is valued at around $16.7 million (€15.5 million). Gianluca Prestianni from Benfica and Martim Fernandes of FC Porto both have valuations of approximately $15.6 million (€14.4 million).