Top 5: Most valuable U-18 footballers in the world [2025]

Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi are the most valuable U-18 footballers in the world currently. Read the full article to know the full list.

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Football, the most beautiful sport in the world, often gets dominated by youngsters and teenagers. The raw talent, skills, and dare to do the impossible attitude make them a fan favourite and one of the most marketable footballers in the world. In this article, OTTplay will present you with the list of the five most valuable U-18 footballers in the world.

Please note that the list has been made with the help of transfermarkt, and OTTplay does not own the data.

#1 Lamine Yamal | €200.00m

The sensational Lamine Yamal is not only the most valuable U-18 footballer in the world, but he is also the most valuable footballer in the world currently, with a price tag of €200.00m.

Yamal, the Spanish international and La Masia graduate, has been one of the best players since he became the Euro 2024 Young Player of the Tournament. He then went on to win the Kopa Trophy for the best young player at the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

After a sensational season for FC Barcelona, where he helped the club win a domestic treble, Yamal is a contender for the Ballon d'Or 2025.

Read Also: WATCH: 'Insane' Lamine Yamal scores a half-time brace against Seoul

#2 Pau Cubarsi | €80.00m

Whenever we talk about the best young players in the world, FC Barcelona always dominates as a club, just because of their world-class academy, La Masia.

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi is one of the highest-paid defenders in the world at the moment and the most valuable U-18 defender at €80.00m. Cubarsi, the 18-year-old center-back, debuted under Xavi Hernandez in the 2023-24 season. Since then, he has been one of the key players for the Catalan Club and made 56 appearances in the 2025/26 season.

Last season, he claimed his first trophy as an FC Barcelona player, winning the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and the league.

#3 Estavao | €60.00m

Now, this name can come as a surprise to many of you. Estavao, the Brazilian right winger, who has been signed by the Premier League club Chelsea, is one of the brightest prospects of South American football at the moment. The left-footed winger showcased his class for Brazilian club Palmeiras, scoring 27 goals in 83 appearances for them.

Read Also: Football transfer news: Atletico interested in Casado, United want Fermin

Estavao was signed by Chelsea last season for a whopping £29 million and will make his debut for the Blues this season when the Premier League starts. He is also the second youngest player to debut for Brazil this century.

#4 Ethan Nwaneri | €55.00m

Nwaneri, the Arsenal winger, is one of the best teenage players in the Premier League currently. With a market value of €55.00m, the England U21 international 1is the fourth most valuable U18 player in the world at the moment.

Ethan is a product of the Arsenal Academy and has been playing for the club since his U18 days. In 2024, he was signed by the senior team, and since then, he has scored 9 goals in 39 games for Arsenal.

#5 Geovany Quenda | €45.00m

Geovany Quenda is a Portuguese U21 winger who will join Chelsea FC from the Sporting CP club this summer. Since 2017/18, he has been part of both Sporting CP and Benfica Youth systems and made his senior debut for the Sporting CP club last season, when he became Sporting’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the league.

Although the right winger has scored only three goals in 55 matches for the Portuguese club, Chelsea were very much interested in having the player. The Blues signed him for €50.78m last season.

"He is magic. He has a spectacular future with the national team," Roberto Martinez, Portugal head coach, said of the 18-year-old winger.

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