With values that reach the levels of the European market, the CIES Football Observatory released the updated ranking of the players with the highest estimated transfer value in Argentine football. The report considers the financial projection of a potential buyer and establishes an estimate of “fair” prices for each footballer. The list is headed by Maher Carrizoyouth of Velez born in 2006, whose price ranges between 18 and 21 million euros.
The statistical tool developed by CIES since 2013 evaluates multiple sporting and contractual variables. In this edition, he highlighted the most sought-after talents of 67 leagues in the worldincluding the First Division of Argentina, and highlighted one footballer for each club. The top ten, with values greater than 9 million euros, project prominence for the 2026 season, in which several of them could emigrate abroad or consolidate themselves as figures in the local tournament.
Maher Carrizo appears as the most valuable asset in Argentine football. At just 19 years old, the left-handed winger signed a professional contract until 2027 and his emergence caught the attention of international scouts. Especially after his great U20 World Cup, in which he was one of the figures of the team that reached the final. Its estimated value starts at 18 million euros and can reach 21, which positions it above the rest.
In second place is Lautaro Di Lollocentral marker of Boca born in 2004, who last season established himself as a starter in the Xeneize defense, even participating in the Club World Cup matches. Valued between 14 and 16 million, Di Lollo was Intercontinental champion with the Xeneize Sub 20 in 2023 and is closely followed by clubs abroad after a great performance in 2025, where he was highlighted as the third best sub 23 central defender in the world in leagues outside the European Top 5, according to a performance index also prepared by CIES.
The average age of the top ten is barely 20 years old, reflecting Argentine soccer’s ability to develop talents with international resale potential. Alejo Veliz (Rosario Central), Lautaro Rivero (River) and Juan Ignacio Nardoni (Racing Club) complete the group of the top five, with values ranging from 9 to 16 million euros.
Alejo Véliz, a forward born in 2003 and on loan until mid-year in Rosario from Tottenham, returned to the club that trained him in 2025 and has a fair price between 13 and 16 million euros. Lautaro Rivero, River’s appearance in defense in the last semester that he arrived at the Argentine team, follows him with a valuation of 12 to 13 million. For his part, Nardoni, a Racing midfielder who emerged in Unión, maintains a market value that is between 9 and 10 million.
The list continues with Felipe Loyola (Independent), category 2000, also worth 9 to 10 million, and Matthew Mendoza (Godoy Cruz), 2004 category, whose fair price is estimated between 7.2 and 8.4 million euros. Loyola, a defensive midfielder, and Mendoza, a central defender, are key pieces on their teams.
They close the top 10 Tiago Palacios (Students), Alan Lescano (Argentinos Juniors) and Agustin Medina (Lanús), all with values greater than 6.5 million. Palacios and Lescano were born in 2001, while Medina, like Carrizo, is from the 2006 generation, which marks a new rising crop of young Argentines.
As explained by the CIES, in the report updated as of December 16, 2025, the established values are adjusted within a range of 10% up or down with respect to the central calculation, depending on the economic capacity of the potential buyer. The tool is updated periodically and is considered a reference in the international market, especially in European clubs that are looking for young talent with room for development.
In this sense, the presence of youth players like Carrizo or Medina among the top ten anticipates a 2026 season with a focus on the training divisions, and predicts new possible important transfers, like those that have marked Argentine football in recent years.
