After Real Madrid’s El Clásico loss and Yamal’s viral jab, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal’s values have skyrocketed to the top of world football’s charts.
Sportingpedia has released a new report spotlighting the most valuable U23 football players from England and around the world.
Football clubs have always competed for emerging talent, but the stakes are higher than ever. The financial value of young players has skyrocketed, and some countries are investing more than others. Sportingpedia analyzed the top 10 most valuable U23 players from the 50 highest-ranked FIFA nations, revealing that England is leading the charge in terms of youth investment.
The country’s top 10 U23 players are now collectively valued at €815 million. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, 21, tops the list with a market value of €180 million, making him England’s most valuable player. He ranks third globally, following Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, also valued at €180 million, joins Bellingham in third place.
England dominates the rankings, with three players in the global top 10. Alongside Bellingham and Yamal, Bukayo Saka ranks fourth with a value of €150 million, while Cole Palmer is sixth at €130 million. Notably, eight of the top 10 English players are based in domestic clubs, with the exceptions being Bellingham and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who plays for Borussia Dortmund.
Spain comes in second globally, with its top 10 U23 players valued at €770 million. France follows with a total of €580 million, while Germany and the Netherlands round out the top five, valued at €510 million and €422 million, respectively.
Among English clubs, Manchester City leads with a total U23 market value of €391 million, thanks to standout players like Saka, Palmer, Moisés Caicedo, and Josko Gvardiol.
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