25 Most Valuable Youngsters 2004 : Martins Makes List Containing Ex-Barca, Man Utd, Man City Captains

Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has been named to a prestigious list of the 25 Most Valuable Youngsters in 2004 published by German-based website Transfermarkt.

The list contains illustrious names such as former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney who was the most expensive U21 player in the world at €37 million, Arjen Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Essien, Emmanuel Adebayor, Glen Johnson, Jermaine Jenas and James Milner.

Andrés Iniesta, Rafael van der Vaart, Fernando Torres and Vincent Kompany, who previously captained Barcelona, Ajax Amsterdam, Atlético Madrid and Manchester City respectively in their careers also made the list.

Former Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins was the 16th most expensive U21 player in the world sixteen years ago with a value of ten million euros.

Currently unemployed but training at Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Shenhua with a view to a transfer, Martins' highest market value was achieved on May 3, 2007 when he reached €14.4 million.

The FC Ebedei product enjoyed spells at Newcastle United, Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City, Levante and Seattle Sounders, and represented Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup.

Now 35, Martins was named CAF's Most Promising Talent of the Year in 2003 and 2004.

1) Wayne Rooney (18) - Manchester United - €37m
2) José Antonio Reyes (21)  - Arsenal - €35m
3) Fernando Torres (20) - Atlético Madrid - €25m
4) Robinho (20) - Santos - €22m
5) Arjen Robben (20) - Chelsea - €20m
6) Cristiano Ronaldo (19) - Manchester United - €18m
7) Carlos Tevez (20) - Boca Juniors -  €15m
8) Daniele De Rossi (21) - AS Roma - €14m
9) Andrés Iniesta (20) - FC Barcelona - €12m
10) Michael Essien (21) - Olympique Lyon - €12m
11) Rafael van der Vaart (21) - Ajax -  €12m
12) Emmanuel Adebayor (20) - Monaco - €12m
13  Wesley Sneijder (20) - Ajax - €10m 
14) Vincent Kompany (18) - Anderlecht - €10m
15) Diego (19) - Santos - €10m
16) Obafemi Martins (19) - Inter - €10m
17) Fernando Cavenaghi (21) - Spartak Moscow - €10m
18) Dmitri Sychev (20) - Lokomotive Moscow - €10m
19) Glen Johnson (20) - Chelsea - €8.5m
20) Carlos Alberto (19) - Porto -  €8.5m
21) Nilmar (20) - Olympique Lyon -  €8m
22) Jermaine Jenas (21) - Newcastle - €8m
23) Rubén Olivera (21) - Juventus -  €8m
24) Ricardo Quaresma (21) - Porto - €7.5m
25) James Milner (18) - Newcastle - €7.5m

Ifeanyi Emmanuel