From Ronaldinho to Foden – The biggest stars to ever play at the U17 World Cup
Top 20 revealed
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The global and relentless nature of world football means that the stars of tomorrow are scouted and signed at the earliest opportunity. Whether they’re plucked from youth academies or convinced to depart their hometown club after a breakthrough season, many of today’s most valuable players were well known long before they received their driving licence. And while domestic football is an excellent setting for young players to thrive, there’s no stage quite like the U17 World Cup for a young talent to showcase their talent to the rest of the sport and demand attention from the biggest and richest clubs.
That is certainly the case with this year’s tournament, which is now well and truly in full swing as each nation looks to fight their way out of their groups. Whether it be Belgian duo Jorthy Mokio and Nathan de Cat, Brazilian midfielder Zé Lucas or German forward Wisdom Mike, there are undoubtedly plenty of young talents to get excited about at this competition. But which stars came before these young prospects and forged the path before them? Today Transfermarkt takes a look at the biggest stars to ever grace the game and that once had humble beginnings at the U17 World Cup and ranks them by their highest market value over the course of their career.
20. Aymeric Laporte – France
19. Pau Cubarsí – Spain
18. James Rodríguez – Colombia
17. Toni Kroos – Germany
16. Casemiro – Brazil
15. Ronaldinho – Brazil
14. Alisson – Brazil
13. Heung-Min Son – South Korea
12. Isco – Spain
11. Marc-André ter Stegen – Germany
10. Aurélien Tchouaméni – France
9. Trent Alexander-Arnold – England
8. Victor Osimhen – Nigeria
7. Jadon Sancho – England
6. Pedri – Spain
5. Phil Foden – England
4. Phillippe Coutinho – Brazil
3. Eden Hazard – Belgium
2. Raheem Sterling – England
1. Neymar – Brazil
