Best U23 Young Attacking Midfielders in the Liga Portugal
13 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Attacking Midfielders in the Liga Portugal (Jul 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
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.
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Rodrigo Mora
FC Porto • 19 years old
€34.6M
€40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €49.6M
83.5
Gustavo Sá
FC Famalicão • 21 years old
€6.9M
€8.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €8.8M
57.5
João Rego
SL Benfica • 21 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.3M
41.7
Vasconcelos
SC Braga • 21 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.7M
33.1
Hugo Félix
CD Tondela • 22 years old
€865K
€1.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.1M
28.6
Antonis Papakanellos
Rio Ave FC • 20 years old
€432K
€500K
+15.6%
Expected: €573K
18.8
Marco Cruz
Vitória Guimarães SC • 22 years old
€389K
€450K
+15.6%
Expected: €476K
18.7
Foe Ondoa
GD Estoril Praia • 20 years old
€346K
€400K
+15.6%
Expected: €459K
16.0
Berna
Boavista FC • 22 years old
€259K
€300K
+15.6%
Expected: €318K
13.6
Rafinha
SC Farense • 20 years old
€259K
€300K
+15.6%
Expected: €344K
12.4
Monsuru Opeyemi
FC Vizela • 22 years old
€173K
€200K
+15.6%
Expected: €212K
8.6
Kauã Oliveira
Sporting CP • 22 years old
€173K
€200K
+15.6%
Expected: €212K
8.6
André Simões
Gil Vicente FC • 22 years old
€130K
€150K
+15.6%
Expected: €159K
5.0
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Explore Market Size by Position in Liga Portugal
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 13 clubs with €56.0M combined value.
Age Distribution: Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders
The Liga Portugal CAM market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (9 players, 69% of market). The U21 age group holds the most value at €41.2M, averaging €10.3M per player.
Top Young Attacking Midfielders by Age Bracket
U21 Years (4 players)
21-23 Years (9 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 2 Young Attacking Midfielders (15% of players) control €48.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with premium (€30-50m) tier representing 8% of the Liga Portugal CAM pool.
Premium (€30-50M)
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders
Among 13 Liga Portugal clubs, FC Porto leads with 1 Young Attacking Midfielders worth €40.0M (averaging €40.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 77% of tracked Young Attacking Midfielders.
FC Porto (1 Young Attacking Midfielders)
FC Famalicão (1 Young Attacking Midfielders)
SL Benfica (1 Young Attacking Midfielders)
SC Braga (1 Young Attacking Midfielders)
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)
FC Porto's Rodrigo Mora at 19 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 80.00×. That means Rodrigo Mora is valued 80.00× higher than the median player in the U21 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is FC Famalicão's Gustavo Sá, who is 21 years old, with a 17.78× PPVE. Third is João Rego of SL Benfica, who is 21 years old with a 6.67× 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 80.00× means the player is worth 7900% 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 | Rodrigo Mora FC Porto | 19 | U21 | €40.0M | €500K | 80.00× |
| #2 | Gustavo Sá FC Famalicão | 21 | 21-23 | €8.0M | €450K | 17.78× |
| #3 | João Rego SL Benfica | 21 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €450K | 6.67× |
| #4 | Vasconcelos SC Braga | 21 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €450K | 3.33× |
| #5 | Hugo Félix CD Tondela | 22 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €450K | 2.22× |
| #6 | Marco Cruz Vitória Guimarães SC | 22 | 21-23 | €450K | €450K | 1.00× |
| #7 | Antonis Papakanellos Rio Ave FC | 20 | U21 | €500K | €500K | 1.00× |
| #8 | Foe Ondoa GD Estoril Praia | 20 | U21 | €400K | €500K | 0.80× |
| #9 | Berna Boavista FC | 22 | 21-23 | €300K | €450K | 0.67× |
| #10 | Rafinha SC Farense | 20 | U21 | €300K | €500K | 0.60× |
| #11 | Kauã Oliveira Sporting CP | 22 | 21-23 | €200K | €450K | 0.44× |
| #12 | Monsuru Opeyemi FC Vizela | 22 | 21-23 | €200K | €450K | 0.44× |
| #13 | André Simões Gil Vicente FC | 22 | 21-23 | €150K | €450K | 0.33× |
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)
FC Porto's Rodrigo Mora at 19 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +40%. That means Rodrigo Mora is projected to appreciate 40% as they reach their peak age in 7 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Rio Ave FC's Antonis Papakanellos, who is 20 years old, with a +35% RPP (6 years to peak). Third is Foe Ondoa of GD Estoril Praia, who is 20 years old with a +35% 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 40% RPP means the player is expected to gain 40% 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 | Rodrigo Mora FC Porto | 19 | 7 | €40.0M | €66.5M | +40% |
| #2 | Antonis Papakanellos Rio Ave FC | 20 | 6 | €500K | €773K | +35% |
| #3 | Foe Ondoa GD Estoril Praia | 20 | 6 | €400K | €618K | +35% |
| #4 | Rafinha SC Farense | 20 | 6 | €300K | €464K | +35% |
| #5 | Gustavo Sá FC Famalicão | 21 | 5 | €8.0M | €11.5M | +30% |
| #6 | Vasconcelos SC Braga | 21 | 5 | €1.5M | €2.2M | +30% |
| #7 | João Rego SL Benfica | 21 | 5 | €3.0M | €4.3M | +30% |
| #8 | Hugo Félix CD Tondela | 22 | 4 | €1.0M | €1.3M | +25% |
| #9 | Berna Boavista FC | 22 | 4 | €300K | €401K | +25% |
| #10 | André Simões Gil Vicente FC | 22 | 4 | €150K | €201K | +25% |
| #11 | Kauã Oliveira Sporting CP | 22 | 4 | €200K | €267K | +25% |
| #12 | Marco Cruz Vitória Guimarães SC | 22 | 4 | €450K | €602K | +25% |
| #13 | Monsuru Opeyemi FC Vizela | 22 | 4 | €200K | €267K | +25% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
FC Porto's Rodrigo Mora has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 64.6. That means Rodrigo Mora has 24% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is SC Farense's Rafinha with a 42.8 RAU (15% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Antonis Papakanellos of Rio Ave FC with a 42.8 RAU (15% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 64.6 means the upside is 64.6× 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 | Rodrigo Mora FC Porto | €49.6M | €42.2M-57.0M | +24% | 64.6 |
| #2 | Rafinha SC Farense | €344K | €293K-395K | +15% | 42.8 |
| #3 | Antonis Papakanellos Rio Ave FC | €573K | €488K-659K | +15% | 42.8 |
| #4 | Foe Ondoa GD Estoril Praia | €459K | €390K-527K | +15% | 42.8 |
| #5 | Vasconcelos SC Braga | €1.7M | €1.4M-1.9M | +10% | 31.1 |
| #6 | João Rego SL Benfica | €3.3M | €2.8M-3.8M | +10% | 31.1 |
| #7 | Gustavo Sá FC Famalicão | €8.8M | €7.5M-10.1M | +10% | 31.1 |
| #8 | Berna Boavista FC | €318K | €276K-359K | +6% | 21.2 |
| #9 | André Simões Gil Vicente FC | €159K | €138K-179K | +6% | 21.2 |
| #10 | Kauã Oliveira Sporting CP | €212K | €184K-239K | +6% | 21.2 |
| #11 | Monsuru Opeyemi FC Vizela | €212K | €184K-239K | +6% | 21.2 |
| #12 | Hugo Félix CD Tondela | €1.1M | €921K-1.2M | +6% | 21.2 |
| #13 | Marco Cruz Vitória Guimarães SC | €476K | €414K-538K | +6% | 21.2 |
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 attacking 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)
GD Estoril Praia's Foe Ondoa in the U21 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +42.8%. That means Rodrigo Mora captures 73.6% of total market value while representing only 30.8% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is SC Farense's Rafinha with a +42.8% ASC (73.6% value share vs 30.8% player share in U21 bracket). Third is Antonis Papakanellos of Rio Ave FC with a +42.8% ASC (73.6% value vs 30.8% players in U21 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +42.8% ASC means the player captures 42.8% 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 | Foe Ondoa GD Estoril Praia | U21 | 73.6% | 30.8% | +42.8% |
| #2 | Rafinha SC Farense | U21 | 73.6% | 30.8% | +42.8% |
| #3 | Antonis Papakanellos Rio Ave FC | U21 | 73.6% | 30.8% | +42.8% |
| #4 | Rodrigo Mora FC Porto | U21 | 73.6% | 30.8% | +42.8% |
| #5 | Kauã Oliveira Sporting CP | 21-23 | 26.4% | 69.2% | -42.8% |
| #6 | Marco Cruz Vitória Guimarães SC | 21-23 | 26.4% | 69.2% | -42.8% |
| #7 | Hugo Félix CD Tondela | 21-23 | 26.4% | 69.2% | -42.8% |
| #8 | Monsuru Opeyemi FC Vizela | 21-23 | 26.4% | 69.2% | -42.8% |
| #9 | Berna Boavista FC | 21-23 | 26.4% | 69.2% | -42.8% |
| #10 | Vasconcelos SC Braga | 21-23 | 26.4% | 69.2% | -42.8% |
| #11 | André Simões Gil Vicente FC | 21-23 | 26.4% | 69.2% | -42.8% |
| #12 | João Rego SL Benfica | 21-23 | 26.4% | 69.2% | -42.8% |
| #13 | Gustavo Sá FC Famalicão | 21-23 | 26.4% | 69.2% | -42.8% |
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: 1 immediate targets, 12 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 €40.0M. 0 undervalued, 1 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rafinha SC Farense | €300K | €450K | -0.50 | Good Value |
André Simões Gil Vicente FC | €150K | €450K | -0.23 | Fair Value |
Kauã Oliveira Sporting CP | €200K | €450K | -0.19 | Fair Value |
Monsuru Opeyemi FC Vizela | €200K | €450K | -0.19 | Fair Value |
Berna Boavista FC | €300K | €450K | -0.12 | Fair Value |
Foe Ondoa GD Estoril Praia | €400K | €450K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Marco Cruz Vitória Guimarães SC | €450K | €450K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Rodrigo Mora FC Porto | €40.0M | €450K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Gustavo Sá FC Famalicão | €8.0M | €450K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Hugo Félix CD Tondela | €1.0M | €450K | +0.42 | Fair Value |
Antonis Papakanellos Rio Ave FC | €500K | €450K | +0.50 | Fair Value |
Vasconcelos SC Braga | €1.5M | €450K | +0.81 | Above Market |
João Rego SL Benfica | €3.0M | €450K | +1.96 | Premium |
Market Overview: Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders 2022-23
Our database tracked 13 Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders in the 2022-23 season, representing 13 clubs with a combined market value of €56.0M. The average market value for Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders was €4.3M, with the average age at 21 years old.
The most valuable young attacking midfielder in the Liga Portugal was Rodrigo Mora, worth €40.0M and played for FC Porto at 19 years old. The top 5 Young Attacking Midfielders averaged €10.7M in market value, including Gustavo Sá and João Rego.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young attacking midfielder was Rodrigo Mora (19 years, FC Porto, €40.0M), while the oldest was Hugo Félix (22 years, CD Tondela, €1.0M). Research shows Young Attacking Midfielders typically peak at age 26.
Historical analysis showed 13 Young Attacking 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 Liga Portugal market for Young Attacking Midfielders remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2022-23 season.
How We Rank Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young attacking midfielders, using position-specific age curves and playing time benchmarks. The model draws from academic research on player valuation (Franck & Nüesch, 2012) and age-performance curves (Dendir, 2016).
Scoring Components for CAM
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Liga Portugal young attacking midfielders, reflecting proven track record and reputation. Uses log-scale to account for exponential value distribution at elite level.
Current Performance Proxy (30%)
Present market value for Liga Portugal young attacking midfielders, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Midfielders with 2,400+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Midfielders peak at 26-27 with 6.0%/year decline. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
Liga Portugal competition level factored into comparative strength assessment.
Performance Expectations Multiplier (2%)
Players at clubs with Champions League pedigree face higher performance standards and tactical complexity, contributing to development and market validation.
CAM Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 26-27 years (technical skill and tactical awareness)
Decline Rate: 6.0% per year (technical skills age better than physical attributes)
Optimal Minutes: 2,400-2,500 per season (balance of involvement and recovery)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Midfielder -6.0%/year post-peak, +5%/year pre-peak
• Value Trajectory: Near career peak (>95% of peak value): +3% momentum | Moderate decline: -5%
• Playing Time Factor: Regular starters (+2%), Squad rotation (-2%)
• Forecast Range: ±12-15% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for young attacking midfielders
• Carmichael et al. (2011): Player depreciation in top leagues
• Franck & Nüesch (2012): Hedonic pricing models for talent valuation
• Szymanski, S. (2015). Money and Soccer: A Soccernomics Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders in the 2022-23 season
Who are the most valuable Young Attacking Midfielders in the Liga Portugal in 2022-23?
The most valuable young attacking midfielder in the Liga Portugal in 2022-23 is Rodrigo Mora, who is worth €40.0M and plays for FC Porto. The second most valuable is Gustavo Sá (€8.0M, FC Famalicão), followed by João Rego (€3.0M, SL Benfica). Our database tracks 13 Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2022-23 season.
How are Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders ranked?
Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young Attacking Midfielders. The score combines six factors: Historical Achievement Index (35%) measuring peak career value, Current Performance Proxy (30%) reflecting recent market signals, Playing Time Utilization (18%) tracking minutes played, Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%) using position-specific peak ages, League Quality Coefficient (3%) for Liga Portugal competition level, and Club Tier Multiplier (2%) accounting for club prestige. This methodology is grounded in academic research including work by Dendir (2016) on age-performance curves and Franck & Nüesch (2012) on hedonic pricing models.
What age do Young Attacking Midfielders peak?
Attacking midfielders typically peak at age 26, with a decline rate of 6.5% per year after peak. This position demands high technical ability, creativity, and burst acceleration, which tend to decline faster than other midfielder attributes. The optimal playing time is around 2,400 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top young attacking midfielder from the Liga Portugal?
Transfer fees for Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young attacking midfielder Rodrigo Mora (market value: €40.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €32.0M to €56.0M depending on contract situation. Players with longer contracts (3+ years) command premium fees (1.2-1.4× market value), while those in the final year may be available for 0.8-1.1× market value. Our fee estimates are derived from historical transfer patterns and contract-clock modifiers validated against actual Liga Portugal transactions.
What is the value forecast for Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Liga Portugal Young Attacking Midfielders based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players gain ~5% per year toward peak age, post-peak players decline at position-specific rates), market trajectory momentum (comparing current to peak value), and playing time confidence (regular starters receive +2% boost). Forecast confidence intervals account for position-specific volatility-midfielders have ±12-15% volatility. Young players (under 22) and older players (over 32) receive 1.15× uncertainty multipliers due to unpredictable development or decline patterns.
Where does the Liga Portugal young attacking midfielder data come from?
Our Liga Portugal young attacking midfielder data is sourced from Football Analytics AI's proprietary Transfer Intelligence Database, which aggregates market valuations, player statistics, contract information, and transfer histories from multiple industry sources. Market values are updated regularly based on player performance, injuries, contract negotiations, and transfer market activity. We enhance this data with our proprietary analytics including position-specific scoring algorithms, age-performance curves calibrated to academic research, and statistical forecast models. All data is validated against official Liga Portugal sources and updated monthly for the 2022-23 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.