Best U23 Young Defensive Midfielders in the Brasileirão
8 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Best Young Defensive Midfielders in the Brasileirão (Apr 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Market Overview: Brasileirão Young Defensive Midfielders 2024-25
Our database tracked 8 Brasileirão Young Defensive Midfielders in the 2024-25 season, representing 8 clubs with a combined market value of €21.8M. The average market value for Brasileirão Young Defensive Midfielders was €2.7M, with the average age at 20.9 years old.
The most valuable young defensive midfielder in the Brasileirão was Evertton Araújo, worth €5.0M and played for CR Flamengo at 23 years old. The top 5 Young Defensive Midfielders averaged €3.9M in market value, including Facundo Bernal and Zé Lucas.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young defensive midfielder was Zé Lucas (18 years, Sport Club do Recife, €5.0M), while the oldest was Evertton Araújo (23 years, CR Flamengo, €5.0M). Research shows Young Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.
Historical analysis showed 8 Young Defensive Midfielders (100%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Brasileirão market for Young Defensive Midfielders remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2024-25 season.
💡 Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Explore Market Size by Position in Brasileirão
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Brasileirão Young Defensive Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 8 clubs with €21.8M combined value.
Age Distribution: Brasileirão Young Defensive Midfielders
The Brasileirão CDM market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (5 players, 63% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €14.0M, averaging €2.8M per player.
Top Young Defensive Midfielders by Age Bracket
U21 Years (3 players)
21-23 Years (5 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 1 Young Defensive Midfielders (13% of players) control €5.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with mid (€5-15m) tier representing 38% of the Brasileirão CDM pool.
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Brasileirão Young Defensive Midfielders
Among 8 Brasileirão clubs, CR Flamengo leads with 1 Young Defensive Midfielders worth €5.0M (averaging €5.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Defensive Midfielders.
CR Flamengo (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Fluminense Football Club (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Sport Club do Recife (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Sport Club Internacional (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Player Rankings
Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Evertton Araújo
CR Flamengo • 23 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €5.3M
53.0
Facundo Bernal
Fluminense Football Club • 22 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €5.5M
52.6
Zé Lucas
Sport Club do Recife • 18 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €6.4M
50.9
Luis Otávio
Sport Club Internacional • 19 years old
€2.2M
€2.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.1M
38.9
Ryan
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista • 22 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.2M
37.4
Patrick
Clube Atlético Mineiro • 22 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.7M
33.7
Felipe Negrucci
São Paulo Futebol Clube • 21 years old
€432K
€500K
+15.6%
Expected: €573K
19.4
Murilo Rhikman
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube • 20 years old
€216K
€250K
+15.6%
Expected: €298K
10.2
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Fluminense Football Club's Facundo Bernal at 22 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 2.50×. That means Evertton Araújo is valued 2.50× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket—representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is CR Flamengo's Evertton Araújo, who is 23 years old, with a 2.50× PPVE. Third is Zé Lucas of Sport Club do Recife, who is 18 years old with a 2.00× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 2.50× means the player is worth 150% more than typical players their age—making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Facundo Bernal Fluminense Football Club | 22 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €2.0M | 2.50× |
| #2 | Evertton Araújo CR Flamengo | 23 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €2.0M | 2.50× |
| #3 | Zé Lucas Sport Club do Recife | 18 | U21 | €5.0M | €2.5M | 2.00× |
| #4 | Ryan Sport Club Corinthians Paulista | 22 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €2.0M | 1.00× |
| #5 | Luis Otávio Sport Club Internacional | 19 | U21 | €2.5M | €2.5M | 1.00× |
| #6 | Patrick Clube Atlético Mineiro | 22 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €2.0M | 0.75× |
| #7 | Felipe Negrucci São Paulo Futebol Clube | 21 | 21-23 | €500K | €2.0M | 0.25× |
| #8 | Murilo Rhikman Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | 20 | U21 | €250K | €2.5M | 0.10× |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Understanding Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Sport Club do Recife's Zé Lucas at 18 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +48%. That means Zé Lucas is projected to appreciate 48% as they reach their peak age in 8 years—representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Sport Club Internacional's Luis Otávio, who is 19 years old, with a +44% RPP (7 years to peak). Third is Murilo Rhikman of Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, who is 20 years old with a +40% RPP (6 years to peak).
How RPP is calculated: RPP compares a player's current market value to their forecasted peak value, calculating the percentage appreciation potential. A 48% RPP means the player is expected to gain 48% value as they enter their prime—making them excellent growth investments.
Recovery Potential by Player
| Rank | Player | Age | Years to Peak | Current | Peak Forecast | RPP % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Zé Lucas Sport Club do Recife | 18 | 8 | €5.0M | €9.6M | +48% |
| #2 | Luis Otávio Sport Club Internacional | 19 | 7 | €2.5M | €4.5M | +44% |
| #3 | Murilo Rhikman Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | 20 | 6 | €250K | €415K | +40% |
| #4 | Felipe Negrucci São Paulo Futebol Clube | 21 | 5 | €500K | €773K | +35% |
| #5 | Ryan Sport Club Corinthians Paulista | 22 | 4 | €2.0M | €2.9M | +30% |
| #6 | Facundo Bernal Fluminense Football Club | 22 | 4 | €5.0M | €7.2M | +30% |
| #7 | Patrick Clube Atlético Mineiro | 22 | 4 | €1.5M | €2.2M | +30% |
| #8 | Evertton Araújo CR Flamengo | 23 | 3 | €5.0M | €6.7M | +25% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Sport Club do Recife's Zé Lucas has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 79.0. That means Zé Lucas has 28% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Sport Club Internacional's Luis Otávio with a 68.9 RAU (23% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Murilo Rhikman of Cruzeiro Esporte Clube with a 58.0 RAU (19% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 79.0 means the upside is 79.0× greater than the uncertainty—making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.
Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player
| Rank | Player | Expected | Range | Upside % | RAU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Zé Lucas Sport Club do Recife | €6.4M | €5.5M-7.3M | +28% | 79.0 |
| #2 | Luis Otávio Sport Club Internacional | €3.1M | €2.7M-3.5M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #3 | Murilo Rhikman Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | €298K | €257K-339K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #4 | Felipe Negrucci São Paulo Futebol Clube | €573K | €494K-652K | +15% | 46.3 |
| #5 | Patrick Clube Atlético Mineiro | €1.7M | €1.5M-1.9M | +10% | 38.7 |
| #6 | Facundo Bernal Fluminense Football Club | €5.5M | €4.9M-6.2M | +10% | 38.7 |
| #7 | Ryan Sport Club Corinthians Paulista | €2.2M | €1.9M-2.5M | +10% | 38.7 |
| #8 | Evertton Araújo CR Flamengo | €5.3M | €4.7M-5.9M | +6% | 23.0 |
Roster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
What This Shows
Z-Score explained: Measures how many standard deviations a player's strength is from the position average. Z-Score = 0 means average, +1.0 is one standard deviation above average, -1.0 is below average.
How to use: RPI < -1.0 indicates critical depth shortage. These positions need immediate reinforcement. RPI > +1.0 suggests strong depth, allowing selective, high-value additions only.
Current market: young defensive midfielder position shows strong depth (avg Z-score: 0.00). RPI: 0.00.
Position Depth Analysis
Highest Z-Scores
Lowest Z-Scores
Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista's Ryan in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +1.9%. That means Evertton Araújo captures 64.4% of total market value while representing only 62.5% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.
In second is Clube Atlético Mineiro's Patrick with a +1.9% ASC (64.4% value share vs 62.5% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Facundo Bernal of Fluminense Football Club with a +1.9% ASC (64.4% value vs 62.5% players in 21-23 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +1.9% ASC means the player captures 1.9% more market value than their numerical representation—indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.
Value Concentration by Player
| Rank | Player | Age Bracket | Value Share | Player Share | ASC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ryan Sport Club Corinthians Paulista | 21-23 | 64.4% | 62.5% | +1.9% |
| #2 | Patrick Clube Atlético Mineiro | 21-23 | 64.4% | 62.5% | +1.9% |
| #3 | Facundo Bernal Fluminense Football Club | 21-23 | 64.4% | 62.5% | +1.9% |
| #4 | Evertton Araújo CR Flamengo | 21-23 | 64.4% | 62.5% | +1.9% |
| #5 | Felipe Negrucci São Paulo Futebol Clube | 21-23 | 64.4% | 62.5% | +1.9% |
| #6 | Murilo Rhikman Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | U21 | 35.6% | 37.5% | -1.9% |
| #7 | Luis Otávio Sport Club Internacional | U21 | 35.6% | 37.5% | -1.9% |
| #8 | Zé Lucas Sport Club do Recife | U21 | 35.6% | 37.5% | -1.9% |
Buy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
What This Shows
How to use: "Buy Now - High Upside" = immediate priority targets. "Watch List" = monitor for 6-12 months. "Peak" = pay premium for proven performers. "Aging" = short-term depth only.
Current market: 3 immediate targets, 5 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
PEAK Players
No players in this category
Price vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
What This Shows
How to use: Z-score < -1.5 = significantly undervalued (potential bargain). Z-score > +1.5 = premium pricing (requires strong justification). Within ±1.0 = fair market value.
Current market: Position median is €5.0M. 0 undervalued, 0 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Murilo Rhikman Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | €250K | €2.5M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Felipe Negrucci São Paulo Futebol Clube | €500K | €2.5M | -0.67 | Good Value |
Patrick Clube Atlético Mineiro | €1.5M | €2.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Luis Otávio Sport Club Internacional | €2.5M | €2.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Zé Lucas Sport Club do Recife | €5.0M | €2.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Facundo Bernal Fluminense Football Club | €5.0M | €2.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Evertton Araújo CR Flamengo | €5.0M | €2.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Ryan Sport Club Corinthians Paulista | €2.0M | €2.5M | +0.33 | Fair Value |