Best U23 Young Midfielders in the Liga Portugal
34 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Midfielders in the Liga Portugal (Oct 2026)
34 players tracked across 16 clubs. Updated October 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.
Victor Froholdt
FC Porto • 20 years old
€43.2M
€50.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €52.8M
87.0
João Simões
Sporting CP • 19 years old
€13.0M
€15.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €16.5M
68.0
Mathias de Amorim
FC Famalicão • 21 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €10.1M
60.2
Amorim
FC Alverca • 21 years old
€6.9M
€8.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €8.1M
57.4
Taichi Fukui
FC Arouca • 22 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €5.1M
52.0
Diego Rodrigues
SC Braga • 21 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
51.6
Gonçalo Nogueira
Vitória Guimarães SC • 22 years old
€3.5M
€4.0M
+15.6%
49.2
Pedro Lima
Avs Futebol • 23 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
42.5
Rodri Alonso
Moreirense FC • 23 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
37.4
Vasco Sousa
Moreirense FC • 23 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
37.4
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Sign up freeVictor Froholdt
FC Porto · 20 years old
87.0
ASI
Current Value
€50.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€44.9M - €60.7M
João Simões
Sporting CP · 19 years old
68.0
ASI
Current Value
€15.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€14.1M - €19.0M
Mathias de Amorim
FC Famalicão · 21 years old
60.2
ASI
Current Value
€10.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€8.6M - €11.7M
Amorim
FC Alverca · 21 years old
57.4
ASI
Current Value
€8.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€6.9M - €9.3M
Taichi Fukui
FC Arouca · 22 years old
52.0
ASI
Current Value
€5.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€4.4M - €5.7M
Diego Rodrigues
SC Braga · 21 years old
51.6
ASI
Current Value
€5.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Gonçalo Nogueira
Vitória Guimarães SC · 22 years old
49.2
ASI
Current Value
€4.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Pedro Lima
Avs Futebol · 23 years old
42.5
ASI
Current Value
€3.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Rodri Alonso
Moreirense FC · 23 years old
37.4
ASI
Current Value
€2.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Vasco Sousa
Moreirense FC · 23 years old
37.4
ASI
Current Value
€2.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
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Sign up freeMarket Overview: Liga Portugal Young Midfielders (updated October 2026)
Our database tracks 34 Liga Portugal Young Midfielders as of October 2026, representing 16 clubs with a combined market value of €123.3M. The average market value for Liga Portugal Young Midfielders is €3.6M, with the average age at 22 years old.
The most valuable young midfielder in the Liga Portugal is Victor Froholdt, worth €50.0M and playing for FC Porto at 20 years old. The top 5 Young Midfielders average €17.6M in market value, including João Simões and Mathias de Amorim.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked young midfielder is João Simões (19 years, Sporting CP, €15.0M), while the oldest is Pedro Lima (23 years, Avs Futebol, €3.0M). Research shows Young Midfielders typically peak at age 27.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 21 Young Midfielders (62%) will increase in market value over the next 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Liga Portugal market for Young Midfielders remains actively developing with emerging talent as of October 2026.
Explore Market Size by Position in Liga Portugal
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Liga Portugal Young Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 16 clubs with €123.3M combined value.
Age Distribution: Liga Portugal Young Midfielders
The Liga Portugal CM market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (28 players, 82% of market). The U21 age group holds the most value at €66.5M, averaging €11.1M per player.
Top Young Midfielders by Age Bracket
U21 Years (6 players)
21-23 Years (28 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 4 Young Midfielders (12% of players) control €83.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with elite (€50m+) tier representing 3% of the Liga Portugal CM pool.
Elite (€50M+)
High (€15-30M)
Mid (€5-15M)
Club Distribution: Liga Portugal Young Midfielders
Among 16 Liga Portugal clubs, FC Porto leads with 1 Young Midfielders worth €50.0M (averaging €50.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 74% of tracked Young Midfielders.
FC Porto (1 Young Midfielders)
Sporting CP (2 Young Midfielders)
FC Famalicão (3 Young Midfielders)
FC Alverca (3 Young 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 Victor Froholdt at 20 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 83.33×. That means Victor Froholdt is valued 83.33× higher than the median player in the U21 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Sporting CP's João Simões, who is 19 years old, with a 25.00× PPVE. Third is Mathias de Amorim of FC Famalicão, who is 21 years old with a 8.33× 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 83.33× means the player is worth 8233% 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 | Victor Froholdt FC Porto | 20 | U21 | €50.0M | €600K | 83.33x |
| #2 | João Simões Sporting CP | 19 | U21 | €15.0M | €600K | 25.00x |
| #3 | Mathias de Amorim FC Famalicão | 21 | 21-23 | €10.0M | €1.2M | 8.33x |
| #4 | Amorim FC Alverca | 21 | 21-23 | €8.0M | €1.2M | 6.67x |
| #5 | Taichi Fukui FC Arouca | 22 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €1.2M | 4.17x |
| #6 | Diego Rodrigues SC Braga | 21 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €1.2M | 4.17x |
| #7 | Gonçalo Nogueira Vitória Guimarães SC | 22 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €1.2M | 3.33x |
| #8 | Pedro Lima Avs Futebol | 23 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €1.2M | 2.50x |
| #9 | Vasco Sousa Moreirense FC | 23 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €1.2M | 1.67x |
| #10 | Rodri Alonso Moreirense FC | 23 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €1.2M | 1.67x |
| #11 | Diogo Prioste SL Benfica | 22 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €1.2M | 1.67x |
| #12 | Matija Mitrović Vitória Guimarães SC | 21 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €1.2M | 1.67x |
| #13 | Marcos Peña FC Famalicão | 21 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €1.2M | 1.25x |
| #14 | Brandon Aguilera Rio Ave FC | 23 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €1.2M | 1.25x |
| #15 | João Veloso SL Benfica | 21 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €1.2M | 1.25x |
| #16 | Davy Gui FC Alverca | 20 | U21 | €600K | €600K | 1.00x |
| #17 | Espen van Ee FC Arouca | 23 | 21-23 | €1.2M | €1.2M | 1.00x |
| #18 | Tiago Freitas SL Benfica | 20 | U21 | €550K | €600K | 0.92x |
| #19 | Mateo Flores FC Arouca | 22 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €1.2M | 0.83x |
| #20 | Samuel Justo Sporting CP | 22 | 21-23 | €900K | €1.2M | 0.75x |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
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Upgrade to FanRisk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
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Upgrade to FanRoster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
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Upgrade to FanAge-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
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Upgrade to FanBuy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
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Upgrade to FanPrice vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
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How We Rank Liga Portugal Young Midfielders
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young 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 CM
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Liga Portugal young 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 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 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.
CM Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 27 years (technical skill and tactical awareness)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 28, -10% at 29, steeper from 30 (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: Compounding and banded around a peak of 27: +25%/year through age 21, +15% at 22-23, +10% up to the year before peak, then -5%, -10% and steeper with each later band. Growth is damped above €30M.
• 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 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 Midfielders, updated October 2026
Who are the most valuable Young Midfielders in the Liga Portugal right now?
The most valuable young midfielder in the Liga Portugal today is Victor Froholdt, who is worth €50.0M and plays for FC Porto. The second most valuable is João Simões (€15.0M, Sporting CP), followed by Mathias de Amorim (€10.0M, FC Famalicão). Our database tracks 34 Liga Portugal Young Midfielders with comprehensive market valuations updated in October 2026.
How are Liga Portugal Young Midfielders ranked?
Liga Portugal Young Midfielders are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young 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 Midfielders peak?
Midfielders typically peak at age 27. In our valuation model, value then falls in widening steps rather than at a flat annual rate: around -5% at 28, -10% at 29, -15% at 30, and steeper thereafter. Central midfielders require a blend of physicality, technical skill, and tactical awareness. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,400-2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top young midfielder from the Liga Portugal?
Transfer fees for Liga Portugal Young Midfielders vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young midfielder Victor Froholdt (market value: €50.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €40.0M to €70.0M 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 Midfielders?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Liga Portugal Young Midfielders based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players compound gains toward their position's peak age, up to +25% a year through age 21 and easing as they approach it, while post-peak players fall in widening steps), 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 midfielder data come from?
Our Liga Portugal young 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 (last update October 2026) to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.