Football is going through a rebuilding period. The likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema are all reaching the twilight of their careers. Gareth Bale, who is at least two years younger than the youngest of those three, has already retired. And now, a new crop of superstars such as Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland has taken over the mantle as the planet’s greatest players. Oddschecker, which compares football odds and offers, has made that duo’s respective teams, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, two of the favourites for Champions League glory this season. While they may go on to achieve plenty of success, following in the footsteps of Messi and Ronaldo will not be easy.
And while it feels that those two have only just burst onto the scene, both of them are already in their twenties and approaching the peaks of their careers. According to Transfermarkt Haaland is valued at €170m while his rival for best player in the world honours, Kylian Mbappé, is valued at €180m. But who are the most valuable up-and-comers in the world? Let’s take a look.
Jude Bellingham – €110m
Has any footballer risen to greater heights quicker than Jude Bellingham? Despite being just 19 years of age, the former Birmingham City academy product has already racked up over 160 senior appearances. He has also appeared 22 times for England and truly burst onto the scene at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. And as if that wasn’t enough, he has captained Bundesliga league leaders Borussia Dortmund on a number of occasions this season.
For the first time this campaign, however, Bellingham and his Schwartzgelben teammates have suffered disappointment. They threw away a 1-0 lead in the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Goals from Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling and secured a 2-0 victory on the night, and a 2-1 aggregate victory overall, for The Blues, securing their progression through to the quarter-finals of European club football’s number one competition. Bellingham and Dortmund must lick their wounds and get back to domestic matters, with a league and cup double very much a possibility for the first time in over a decade at Signal Iduna Park.
It remains to be seen how long the teenage sensation will remain in North Rhine-Westphalia. A number of clubs are sniffing around looking for the youngster’s signature, including European heavyweights Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Liverpool.
Gavi – €90m
Gavi – just like the aforementioned Bellingham – also burst onto the scene with his national team. Back in September 2021, the then-17-year-old had just 200 minutes of senior football under his belt. Despite that, Spanish national team manager Luis Enrique called the teenage prodigy up to Spain’s national team for the 2021 UEFA Nations League finals.
Many thought that he was there to simply get a feel for life in the senior squad however, he then shockingly started the semifinals against Italy and was the star of the show as Las Rojas won 2-1 and secured their spot in the final against France. He would also start against Les Bleus in the San Siro showpiece, however, on this occasion, his side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.
Following his impressive performances with the national team, Gavi became a mainstay in the Barcelona setup, firstly under Ronald Koeman and then under current manager Xavi. He will turn 19 in August and already has over 80 appearances to his name. He has played in all but one game for the Blaugrana this term and they currently sit at the top of the La Liga table, a massive nine points clear of Real Madrid.
As such, Gavi may well be on his way to his first Spanish championship and his club’s first title in four years. After he won the FIFA Golden Boy award last October, the 2022/23 season could be a special one for Barcelona’s wunderkind.
