April 26 – Benfica starlet Joao Neves is the most seasoned U20 player in world football according to data provided by the CIES Football Observatory.
19-year-old Neves ranked top of the CIES’s study, which used an index that weighted minutes played in official senior club or national team matches according to their ‘sporting level’ to decide the top 100 U20 players in that category.
The young Portuguese has featured across 4,500 minutes for Benfica this season and has quickly become a fundamental part of the team as they push for the league title.
Having started 97% of matches this term, he effectively replaced the outgoing €120 million asset Enzo Fernandez and looks far beyond his years in the middle of the park. His performances have materialised interest from Manchester United and Liverpool in the winter transfer window, with more big clubs lining up to dip into the Portuguese market this summer.
Completing the podium are PSG’s Warren Zaire Emery and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, who just creeps ahead of 16-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, who is enjoying one of the most astounding seasons in recent memory.
LOSC Lille’s Frenchman Leny Yoro, who has been tipped for a move to Real Madrid, completes the top five having played almost 4,000 minutes for his club at 18 years of age.
Barca feature twice in the top ten and four times overall, having built a reputation of trusting youth players after being met with financial difficulties that had restrictive implications on their transfer market strategy.
Lamal is joined by Pablo Gavi, Vitor Roque and Pau Cubarsí, who have each played over 2,000 minutes this campaign.
Brighton & Hove is the only other team represented by four players, spearheaded by young Irish striker Evan Ferguson.
This information is timely with the transfer window approaches, and the trend in big team transfers shifting towards targeting acquisitions around youth.
Real Madrid are world leaders in this category, having picked up Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham and now Endrick all before their 20th birthday.
To see the full ranking, click here.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734897537labto1734897537ofdlr1734897537owedi1734897537sni@g1734897537niwe.1734897537yrrah1734897537