This Spanish talent could be the next soccer legend. Still under 18 years old, Lamine Yamal is, by far, the most valuable player in the world, according to data from the Football Observatory of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES). With an estimated transfer value of $402.3 million, the Barcelona star has already proven to be a key figure on the pitch.
The young prospect’s valuation surpasses that of other major names in the sport—such as Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior combined ($192.5 million and $130.4 million, respectively). Whether Yamal is the best player on the field may be up for debate, but his market value is not.
At just 17 years old, the forward has already won LaLiga and the Copa del Rey with Barcelona, and the UEFA Euro with Spain, where he scored the goal of the tournament. In 2024, he became the youngest player in history to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or—and he’s expected to make the list again this year.
Yamal signed a contract extension with FC Barcelona last month through 2031, reportedly worth around $21 million per year. His age, the club he plays for, and Spain’s strong standing in international soccer all contribute to his remarkable valuation.
On the list of the most valuable soccer player in the world, second place goes to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland at $272 million, followed by Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham at $266 million in third.
So far, only five players in the ranking have contracts that run longer than Yamal’s—including Erling Haaland (through 2034) and four Chelsea players, among them Estevao Willian.
