Best U23 Young Left-Backs in the Liga Portugal
14 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Left-Backs in the Liga Portugal (Sep 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.
Samuel Dahl
SL Benfica • 23 years old
€11.2M
€13.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €12.6M
68.6
Chissumba
FC Alverca • 21 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €5.1M
52.3
Sidny Lopes Cabral
CF Estrela Amadora • 23 years old
€3.5M
€4.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.9M
50.0
José Neto
SL Benfica • 18 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.5M
41.3
Pedro Bondo
FC Famalicão • 21 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.0M
37.0
Guilherme Montóia
CF Estrela Amadora • 22 years old
€649K
€750K
+15.6%
Expected: €761K
24.9
Isaac James
FC Alverca • 22 years old
€519K
€600K
+15.6%
Expected: €609K
22.1
Arnau Solà
FC Arouca • 23 years old
€432K
€500K
+15.6%
Expected: €485K
20.1
Tiago Parente
GD Estoril Praia • 22 years old
€432K
€500K
+15.6%
Expected: €507K
19.8
Tiago Parente
SL Benfica • 20 years old
€432K
€500K
+15.6%
Expected: €551K
19.2
Hélder Sá
Rio Ave FC • 23 years old
€259K
€300K
+15.6%
Expected: €291K
13.6
Augusto Dabó
Boavista FC • 22 years old
€259K
€300K
+15.6%
Expected: €304K
13.3
Diogo Costa
FC Famalicão • 23 years old
€216K
€250K
+15.6%
Expected: €243K
11.3
Francisco Dias
Vitória Guimarães SC • 23 years old
€173K
€200K
+15.6%
Expected: €194K
8.4
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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 Left-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 9 clubs with €30.9M combined value.
Age Distribution: Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs
The Liga Portugal LB market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (12 players, 86% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €27.4M, averaging €2.3M per player.
Top Young Left-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (2 players)
21-23 Years (12 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 2 Young Left-Backs (14% of players) control €18.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with mid (€5-15m) tier representing 14% of the Liga Portugal LB pool.
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs
Among 9 Liga Portugal clubs, SL Benfica leads with 3 Young Left-Backs worth €16.5M (averaging €5.5M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Left-Backs.
SL Benfica (3 Young Left-Backs)
FC Alverca (2 Young Left-Backs)
CF Estrela Amadora (2 Young Left-Backs)
FC Famalicão (2 Young Left-Backs)
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)
SL Benfica's Samuel Dahl at 23 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 21.67×. That means Samuel Dahl is valued 21.67× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is FC Alverca's Chissumba, who is 21 years old, with a 8.33× PPVE. Third is Sidny Lopes Cabral of CF Estrela Amadora, who is 23 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 21.67× means the player is worth 2067% 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 | Samuel Dahl SL Benfica | 23 | 21-23 | €13.0M | €600K | 21.67× |
| #2 | Chissumba FC Alverca | 21 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €600K | 8.33× |
| #3 | Sidny Lopes Cabral CF Estrela Amadora | 23 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €600K | 6.67× |
| #4 | Pedro Bondo FC Famalicão | 21 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €600K | 3.33× |
| #5 | Guilherme Montóia CF Estrela Amadora | 22 | 21-23 | €750K | €600K | 1.25× |
| #6 | José Neto SL Benfica | 18 | U21 | €3.0M | €3.0M | 1.00× |
| #7 | Isaac James FC Alverca | 22 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00× |
| #8 | Arnau Solà FC Arouca | 23 | 21-23 | €500K | €600K | 0.83× |
| #9 | Tiago Parente GD Estoril Praia | 22 | 21-23 | €500K | €600K | 0.83× |
| #10 | Augusto Dabó Boavista FC | 22 | 21-23 | €300K | €600K | 0.50× |
| #11 | Hélder Sá Rio Ave FC | 23 | 21-23 | €300K | €600K | 0.50× |
| #12 | Diogo Costa FC Famalicão | 23 | 21-23 | €250K | €600K | 0.42× |
| #13 | Francisco Dias Vitória Guimarães SC | 23 | 21-23 | €200K | €600K | 0.33× |
| #14 | Tiago Parente SL Benfica | 20 | U21 | €500K | €3.0M | 0.17× |
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)
SL Benfica's José Neto at 18 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +52%. That means José Neto is projected to appreciate 52% as they reach their peak age in 8 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is SL Benfica's Tiago Parente, who is 20 years old, with a +44% RPP (6 years to peak). Third is Pedro Bondo of FC Famalicão, who is 21 years old with a +40% RPP (5 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 52% RPP means the player is expected to gain 52% 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 | José Neto SL Benfica | 18 | 8 | €3.0M | €6.2M | +52% |
| #2 | Tiago Parente SL Benfica | 20 | 6 | €500K | €894K | +44% |
| #3 | Pedro Bondo FC Famalicão | 21 | 5 | €2.0M | €3.3M | +40% |
| #4 | Chissumba FC Alverca | 21 | 5 | €5.0M | €8.3M | +40% |
| #5 | Guilherme Montóia CF Estrela Amadora | 22 | 4 | €750K | €1.2M | +35% |
| #6 | Tiago Parente GD Estoril Praia | 22 | 4 | €500K | €773K | +35% |
| #7 | Augusto Dabó Boavista FC | 22 | 4 | €300K | €464K | +35% |
| #8 | Isaac James FC Alverca | 22 | 4 | €600K | €927K | +35% |
| #9 | Sidny Lopes Cabral CF Estrela Amadora | 23 | 3 | €4.0M | €5.7M | +30% |
| #10 | Arnau Solà FC Arouca | 23 | 3 | €500K | €719K | +30% |
| #11 | Diogo Costa FC Famalicão | 23 | 3 | €250K | €359K | +30% |
| #12 | Hélder Sá Rio Ave FC | 23 | 3 | €300K | €431K | +30% |
| #13 | Samuel Dahl SL Benfica | 23 | 3 | €13.0M | €18.7M | +30% |
| #14 | Francisco Dias Vitória Guimarães SC | 23 | 3 | €200K | €287K | +30% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
SL Benfica's José Neto has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 61.2. That means José Neto has 16% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is SL Benfica's Tiago Parente with a 40.4 RAU (10% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Augusto Dabó of Boavista FC with a 7.0 RAU (1% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 61.2 means the upside is 61.2× 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 | José Neto SL Benfica | €3.5M | €3.1M-3.9M | +16% | 61.2 |
| #2 | Tiago Parente SL Benfica | €551K | €488K-615K | +10% | 40.4 |
| #3 | Augusto Dabó Boavista FC | €304K | €274K-335K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #4 | Isaac James FC Alverca | €609K | €548K-669K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #5 | Guilherme Montóia CF Estrela Amadora | €761K | €685K-837K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #6 | Tiago Parente GD Estoril Praia | €507K | €456K-558K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #7 | Chissumba FC Alverca | €5.1M | €4.5M-5.7M | +1% | 6.1 |
| #8 | Pedro Bondo FC Famalicão | €2.0M | €1.8M-2.3M | +1% | 6.1 |
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 left-back position shows weak 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)
Boavista FC's Augusto Dabó in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +3.0%. That means Samuel Dahl captures 88.7% of total market value while representing only 85.7% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is Vitória Guimarães SC's Francisco Dias with a +3.0% ASC (88.7% value share vs 85.7% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Hélder Sá of Rio Ave FC with a +3.0% ASC (88.7% value vs 85.7% players in 21-23 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +3.0% ASC means the player captures 3.0% 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 | Augusto Dabó Boavista FC | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #2 | Francisco Dias Vitória Guimarães SC | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #3 | Hélder Sá Rio Ave FC | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #4 | Guilherme Montóia CF Estrela Amadora | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #5 | Samuel Dahl SL Benfica | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #6 | Sidny Lopes Cabral CF Estrela Amadora | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #7 | Arnau Solà FC Arouca | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #8 | Isaac James FC Alverca | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #9 | Pedro Bondo FC Famalicão | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #10 | Chissumba FC Alverca | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #11 | Tiago Parente GD Estoril Praia | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #12 | Diogo Costa FC Famalicão | 21-23 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +3.0% |
| #13 | Tiago Parente SL Benfica | U21 | 11.3% | 14.3% | -3.0% |
| #14 | José Neto SL Benfica | U21 | 11.3% | 14.3% | -3.0% |
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, 1 standard acquisitions, 12 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
WATCH LIST - High Upside
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 €13.0M. 0 undervalued, 2 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiago Parente SL Benfica | €500K | €600K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Chissumba FC Alverca | €5.0M | €600K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Francisco Dias Vitória Guimarães SC | €200K | €600K | -0.67 | Good Value |
Diogo Costa FC Famalicão | €250K | €600K | -0.56 | Good Value |
Augusto Dabó Boavista FC | €300K | €600K | -0.44 | Fair Value |
Hélder Sá Rio Ave FC | €300K | €600K | -0.44 | Fair Value |
José Neto SL Benfica | €3.0M | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Samuel Dahl SL Benfica | €13.0M | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Arnau Solà FC Arouca | €500K | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Tiago Parente GD Estoril Praia | €500K | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Isaac James FC Alverca | €600K | €600K | +0.22 | Fair Value |
Guilherme Montóia CF Estrela Amadora | €750K | €600K | +0.56 | Above Market |
Pedro Bondo FC Famalicão | €2.0M | €600K | +3.33 | Premium |
Sidny Lopes Cabral CF Estrela Amadora | €4.0M | €600K | +7.78 | Premium |
Market Overview: Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs 2023-24
Our database tracked 14 Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs in the 2023-24 season, representing 9 clubs with a combined market value of €30.9M. The average market value for Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs was €2.2M, with the average age at 22 years old.
The most valuable young left-back in the Liga Portugal was Samuel Dahl, worth €13.0M and played for SL Benfica at 23 years old. The top 5 Young Left-Backs averaged €5.4M in market value, including Chissumba and Sidny Lopes Cabral.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young left-back was José Neto (18 years, SL Benfica, €3.0M), while the oldest was Samuel Dahl (23 years, SL Benfica, €13.0M). Research shows Young Left-Backs typically peak at age 28.
Historical analysis showed 8 Young Left-Backs (57%) 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 Left-Backs remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2023-24 season.
How We Rank Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young left-backs, 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 LB
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Liga Portugal young left-backs, 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 left-backs, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Defenders with 2,500+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Defenders peak at 28 with 5.0%/year decline rate. 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.
LB Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 28 years (balance of physicality and tactical intelligence)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 29, -10% at 30, steeper from 31 (positioning offsets pace loss)
Optimal Minutes: 2,500 per season (regular starter with rotation management)
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 28: +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: ±10% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for young left-backs
• 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 Left-Backs in the 2023-24 season
Who are the most valuable Young Left-Backs in the Liga Portugal in 2023-24?
The most valuable young left-back in the Liga Portugal in 2023-24 is Samuel Dahl, who is worth €13.0M and plays for SL Benfica. The second most valuable is Chissumba (€5.0M, FC Alverca), followed by Sidny Lopes Cabral (€4.0M, CF Estrela Amadora). Our database tracks 14 Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2023-24 season.
How are Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs ranked?
Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young Left-Backs. 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 Left-Backs peak?
Defenders typically peak at age 28. In our valuation model, value then falls in widening steps rather than at a flat annual rate: around -5% at 29, -10% at 30, and -25% or more from 31. Research shows defenders balance physical attributes with tactical intelligence, allowing them to maintain high performance through their late 20s. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top young left-back from the Liga Portugal?
Transfer fees for Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young left-back Samuel Dahl (market value: €13.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €10.4M to €18.2M 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 Left-Backs?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Liga Portugal Young Left-Backs 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-defenders have ±10% 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 left-back data come from?
Our Liga Portugal young left-back 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 2023-24 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.