Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal has been ranked as the most valuable football player in the world, according to the latest transfer value report released by the CIES Football Observatory.
The 18-year-old winger tops the global rankings with an estimated market value of €343 million, underlining his rapid rise as one of football’s brightest young talents.
The figure places him comfortably ahead of some of the sport’s biggest names, including Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé.
Haaland is ranked second with a value of €255 million, while Mbappé occupies third place at €201 million. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is fourth with an estimated value of €153 million, followed by Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise at €137 million.
The CIES Football Observatory uses a statistical model that takes into account several factors, including age, contract length, performances, playing time, club status and future potential.
The rankings do not represent official transfer fees but rather an estimate of what players could be worth in the current market.
Yamal’s rise has been remarkable. Having established himself as a regular starter for Barcelona at a young age, he has become one of the most exciting attacking players in world football.
His performances for both club and country have attracted widespread praise, with many experts tipping him to dominate the game for years to come.
The latest ranking also highlights the growing importance of youth in modern football. Several players in the top ten are under the age of 25, reflecting clubs’ willingness to invest heavily in young talents with long-term potential.
Bellingham, who topped the same ranking last year, has dropped to fourth place despite remaining one of the most highly rated midfielders in the game.
Meanwhile, Olise’s inclusion in the top five reflects his impressive development and growing influence at Bayern Munich.
With his value now higher than any other player in world football, Yamal’s position at the top of the list further cements his status as one of the game’s most sought-after stars.
