Teenagers in footballers are no longer viewed as future stars waiting for their moment. They are already delivering on the biggest stages, driving their teams forward, and collecting salaries that reflect just how valuable they have become.
The modern game has changed, and Europe’s top clubs are investing heavily in youth by offering contracts that would have been unthinkable for players under 20 just a decade ago.
From Barcelona to Chelsea, Real Madrid to PSG, the new generation of talent is not just part of the future, it is shaping the present. Teenagers are now leaders, match-winners, and global names, with clubs prepared to pay millions each year to secure their services.
Here is a ranking of the 11 highest-paid teenagers in world football in 2025, with their wages confirmed and their rise explained.
1. Lamine Yamal – £575,000 per week – Barcelona
At just 18, Lamine Yamal has become Barcelona’s crown jewel and the club’s highest-paid player. The left-footed prodigy is versatile enough to feature as a winger, attacking midfielder, or even a false nine. His dazzling dribbling, vision, and creativity have made him untouchable, both on the pitch and at the negotiating table.
Yamal recently signed a six-year extension running until 2031, earning a staggering £575k per week. Barcelona’s decision to make him their top earner reflects not only his present value but also the belief that he is the future face of the club.
2. Warren Zaïre-Emery – £135,705 per week – PSG
At 17, Warren Zaïre-Emery has already become the heartbeat of PSG’s midfield. With Messi and Mbappé gone, the Paris giants needed a new leader, and Zaïre-Emery has stepped up without hesitation.
His mix of steel and flair earns him just over £7 million annually, making him the most highly paid teenager in Ligue 1. Many believe he’s destined to dominate France’s midfield for the next decade.
3. Leny Yoro – £115,000 per week – Manchester United
Manchester United’s summer move for Leny Yoro is already paying off. The 19-year-old centre-back plays with maturity beyond his years, offering composure and confidence at the back.
United rewarded him with a £115k-per-week contract worth nearly £6m annually, securing their defensive line for the future.
4. Archie Gray – £75,000 per week – Tottenham Hotspur
Archie Gray’s meteoric rise from Leeds United academy graduate to Premier League mainstay has been remarkable. After 52 senior appearances and a Young Player of the Year award, Spurs snapped him up for £40m.
Now earning £75k weekly, the 18-year-old midfielder looks set to become one of England’s brightest midfielders for years to come.
5. Endrick – £67,206 per week – Real Madrid
Endrick hasn’t even turned 18 yet, but he’s already living under the spotlight. The Brazilian wonderkid will officially join Real Madrid this summer, arriving with massive expectations.
Madrid are paying him £67k per week (around £3.5m a year), underlining their belief that he can be the long-term replacement for Karim Benzema.
6. Pau Cubarsí – £64,621 per week – Barcelona
Barcelona’s academy continues to deliver, and Pau Cubarsí is their latest defensive revelation. Composed on the ball and strong in duels, the 19-year-old centre-back is already drawing comparisons to Gerard Piqué.
Earning £64k per week (£3.36m annually), he looks set to be the rock in Barça’s backline for the next decade.
7. Marc Guiu – £50,000 per week – Chelsea
Marc Guiu shocked fans by leaving Barcelona for Chelsea at 18. The powerful striker signed a lucrative contract worth £50k a week (£2.6m annually).
With his physique and predatory instincts in the box, Chelsea see him as a long-term number nine.
8. Jorrel Hato – £40,000 per week – Chelsea
Chelsea’s investment in youth continued with the capture of Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax. The 18-year-old centre-back, highly regarded for his composure, leadership, and ball-playing ability, signed a contract worth £40k per week (£2m annually).
Hato was already Ajax captain at just 17, a testament to his maturity on and off the pitch. Now at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea see him as a cornerstone of their defensive rebuild, pairing long-term potential with immediate quality.
9. Ethan Nwaneri – £40,000 per week – Arsenal
Ethan Nwaneri recently signed a new five-year deal (2025–2030) worth £40k per week (£2m annually).
Arsenal clearly view the 17-year-old midfielder as one of their brightest prospects. With his intelligence and flair, the Gunners are backing him to be a central figure in their future.
10. Myles Lewis-Skelly – £40,000 per week – Arsenal
Alongside Nwaneri, Arsenal also tied down Myles Lewis-Skelly with a significant wage increase. The teenager signed a long-term contract worth £40k weekly (£2m annually), up from just £4k previously.
This deal reflects Arsenal’s determination to keep their academy talents at the heart of their project.
11. Estêvão Willian – £30,000 per week – Chelsea
The Brazilian prodigy nicknamed “Messinho” joined Chelsea on a seven-year contract (2025–2033). His starting wage is £30k per week, but the deal includes performance-based triggers that could see his salary double to £60k without a formal extension.
Chelsea are confident he will justify the hype and become their next South American superstar.
