The landscape of football is shifting, and young talents are earning staggering sums at an early age. With clubs investing heavily in the next generation, some of the sport’s brightest prospects are already raking in millions. Here’s a look at the top 15 highest-paid young footballers in 2025, ranked by their annual salaries.
15. Ethan Nwaneri – £149,000 per year (£2,865 per week) – Arsenal, England
Nwaneri, Arsenal’s youngest-ever Premier League debutant, has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi at his age. While he has yet to sign a full professional contract, his talent is undeniable, and his wages are expected to rise significantly in the near future.
14. Myles Lewis-Skelly – £169,000 per year (£3,250 per week) – Arsenal, England
One of the most promising left-backs in England, Lewis-Skelly is yet to sign a professional contract. However, the demand for his services is reportedly around £200,000 per week—an astronomical figure for a teenager.
13. Tyler Dibling – £260,000 per year (£5,000 per week) – Southampton, England
A rising talent at Southampton, Tyler Dibling is earning a solid wage despite still being in the development phase of his career.
12. Kobbie Mainoo – £960,000 per year (£18,461 per week) – Manchester United, England
Once hailed as one of Manchester United’s future midfield stars, Mainoo has struggled with consistency. Despite his dip in form, his salary remains impressive.
11. Rico Lewis – £1.5 million per year (£28,846 per week) – Manchester City, England
Manchester City’s highly-rated full-back has carved out a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Even with the club’s immense wealth, they see Lewis as a crucial part of their future.
10. Lamine Yamal – £1.3 million per year (£25,000 per week) – Barcelona, Spain
Arguably the best teenager in world football, Yamal is already earning a hefty wage despite not yet signing a full professional contract. His rapid rise suggests an even bigger payday is on the horizon.
9. Endrick – £2 million per year (£38,461 per week) – Real Madrid, Brazil
The Brazilian wonderkid, who joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, has made a habit of scoring whenever he plays. His high salary reflects the immense potential he possesses.
8. Marc Gui– £2.4 million per year (£46,154 per week) – Chelsea, England
After moving from Barcelona to Chelsea, Gui has struggled to find regular playing time. Despite this, his wages remain significant.
7. Désiré Doué – £2.7 million per year (£51,923 per week) – PSG, France
The former Rennes midfielder is one of France’s most exciting young talents. Since joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, he has maintained his form while securing a higher salary at a young age.
6. Mathys Tel – £3.3 million per year (£63,462 per week) – Tottenham, France
Tel recently joined Tottenham on a last-minute loan from Bayern Munich and has already made an impact, scoring his first goal for the club.
5. Vitor Roque – £3.5 million per year (£67,308 per week) – Real Betis, Brazil
After struggling to find form at Barcelona, Roque was loaned to Real Betis for two years. His high wages reflect the club’s long-term faith in his abilities.
4. Pau Cubarsí – £4 million per year (£76,923 per week) – Barcelona, Spain
Cubarsí has surpassed expectations at Barcelona, emerging as a crucial defender. With club legends like Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol proving difficult to replace, the Catalan side believes they may have found their solution.
3. Leny Yoro – £5.5 million per year (£105,769 per week) – Manchester United, France
Yoro is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in world football. After his move to Manchester United, he has secured generational wealth at an early age.
2. Arda Güler – £5.6 million per year (£107,692 per week) – Real Madrid, Turkey
Signed by Real Madrid in 2023, Güler has shown glimpses of his immense talent. Injuries have hampered his development, but his high wages underline the club’s belief in him.
1. Warren Zaïre-Emery – £8 million per year (£153,846 per week) – PSG, France
With the departures of Mbappé, Messi, and Neymar, PSG has turned to Zaïre-Emery as a key figure for their future. Already capped for France, his maturity and ability in midfield have made him one of the most exciting young players in world football.
