While we probably won’t see two footballers as talented as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo emerge from the next generation, there are still a host of gifted young players to get excited about.
Many of them have already made an impact for their clubs over the past couple of seasons.
But who are the most valuable footballers born in 2000 or later?
The CIES Football Observatory have answered that very question.
They’ve conducted a study and worked out the estimated transfer values of every young player from Europe’s top leagues.
We’ve decided to take a closer look at the top 30. Some of the estimate values for the best youngsters are astronomical.
Among those who made the top 100 but missed out on the top 30 include Liverpool’s Neco Williams (€10.1 million), Manchester United’s recent signing Facundo Pellistri (€12.4 million) and Manchester City’s Eric Garcia (€18 million).
Now for the top 30…
30. Hamed Traore (2000) | Sassuolo
Estimated transfer value: €19 million
The 20-year-old midfielder is currently on loan at Sassuolo from Empoli.
29. Sandro Tonali (2000) | AC Milan
Estimated transfer value: €20.3 million
Midfielder who has already been capped three times by Italy.
28. William Saliba (2001) | Arsenal
Estimated transfer value: €20.9 million
Joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in 2019.
27. Marash Kumbulla (2000) | AS Roma
Estimated transfer value: €21.6 million
Albanian defender who has made three appearances for his national team.
26. Gabriel Martinelli (2001) | Arsenal
Estimated transfer value: €26.3 million
Talented Brazilian striker who netted 10 goals in his first season with Arsenal.
25. Jeremy Doku (2002) | Rennes
Estimated transfer value: €27.5 million
The 18-year-old has already been capped five times by Belgium and scored his first goal against Iceland.
24. Sergino Dest (2000) | Barcelona
Estimated transfer value: €27.5 million
Exciting full-back who recently signed for Barcelona from Ajax.
23. Pedri (2002) | Barcelona
Estimated transfer value: €28.3 million
The 17-year-old, who arrived at Camp Nou from Las Palmas in 2019, is now forcing his way into the Barcelona first team.
22. Moise Kean (2000) | PSG
Estimated transfer value: €31.2 million
The Italian forward struggled at Everton but his loan spell at Paris Saint-Germain has started well.
21. Wesley Fofana (2000) | Leicester City
Estimated transfer value: €33.2 million
The French defender signed a five-year contract with Leicester City last month following his arrival from Saint-Etienne.
20. Pedro Neto (2000) | Wolves
Estimated transfer value: €34.3 million
Winger Pedro Neto scored five goals in 44 games for Wolves last season.
19. Ozan Kabak (2000) | Schalke
Estimated transfer value: €35 million
Reportedly on Liverpool’s radar, the Turkey international joined Schalke from Stuttgart in 2019.
18. Brandon Williams (2000) | Manchester United
Estimated transfer value: €36.4 million
Determined left-back who played 36 times in his breakthrough season with Manchester United last term.
17. Benoit Badiashile (2001) | AS Monaco
Estimated transfer value: €40.2 million
The 6ft 4in Monaco defender currently represents France’s Under-21 side.
16. Jonathan David (2000) | Lille
Estimated transfer value: €43.6 million
Has struggled to score goals at Lille following his summer move from Gent but his international record is impressive. In 12 games for Canada, the 20-year-old has bagged 11 goals.
15. Jude Bellingham (2003) | Borussia Dortmund
Estimated transfer value: €44.5 million
One of English football’s most promising young talents, Jude Bellingham was so impressive at Birmingham City that the Championship club retired his No. 22 shirt after he joined Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
14. Callum Hudson-Odoi (2000) | Chelsea
Estimated transfer value: €47.1 million
Callum Hudson-Odoi signed a five-year contract with Chelsea in February but that doesn’t seem to have deterred Bayern Munich from upping their interest in the winger.
13. Takefusa Kubo (2001) | Real Madrid
Estimated transfer value: €48.4 million
Technically-gifted Japanese playmaker who is currently out on loan at Villarreal.
12. Vinicius Junior (2000) | Real Madrid
Estimated transfer value: €58.5 million
Unstoppable on his day, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior needs to become a little more consistent in order to fulfil his massive potential.
11. Eduardo Camavinga (2002) | Rennes
Estimated transfer value: €61.5 million
The 17-year-old recently netted his first international goal for France and became the country’s youngest scorer since 1914 in the process.
10. Rodrygo Goes (2001) | Real Madrid
Estimated transfer value: €69.9 million
The Brazilian made headlines last season after netting a hat-trick for Real Madrid against Galatasaray in the Champions League.
9. Phil Foden (2000) | Manchester City
Estimated transfer value: €70.3 million
Pep Guardiola’s words from 2019 speak volumes about the midfielder: “Phil is the most, most, most talented player I have ever seen in my career as a manager.”
8. Dejan Kulusevski (2000) | Juventus
Estimated transfer value: €75.1 million
The Sweden international joined Juventus from Atalanta earlier this year.
7. Bukayo Saka (2001) | Arsenal
Estimated transfer value: €95.8 million
Exciting winger who made his England debut against Wales last month.
6. Ferran Torres (2000) | Manchester City
Estimated transfer value: €106 million
The first player valued at over €100 million on this list, Ferran Torres joined Manchester City from Valencia in August.
5. Mason Greenwood (2001) | Manchester United
Estimated transfer value: €115.3 million
Naturally-talented striker who looks set to play many games for both Manchester United and England over the coming years.
4. Erling Haaland (2000) | Borussia Dortmund
Estimated transfer value: €120.3 million
Prolific young goalscorer blessed with pace and power who could go down as one of the best players of his generation.
3. Ansu Fati (2002) | Barcelona
Estimated transfer value: €122.7 million
Ansu Fati, who turned 18 on October 31, has all the tools required to become a world-class forward.
2. Jadon Sancho (2000) | Borussia Dortmund
Estimated transfer value: €125.6 million
The 20-year-old has scored goals and registered assists for fun since leaving Man City for Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
1. Alphonso Davies (2000) | Bayern Munich
Estimated transfer value: €180.4 million
But in top spot, worth an astonishing €180.4 million, it’s Bayern Munich’s brilliant left-back Alphonso Davies. The 19-year-old Canadian has already won a host of major honours including the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League.
