What happened to the 25 most valuable wonderkids in world football from 2004

Back in 2004, Transfermarkt listed the 25 most valuable wonderkids in world football, but where are they now?

At the time, players aged 21 or under were ranked on their market value and the list included some huge names.

For example, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Fernando Torres, Robinho and Daniele De Rossi were all included.

However, it was Wayne Rooney who was the most valuable young player in 2004, with a market value of £32.7 million, which ended up reaching a career-high of £57.4 million.

The Englishman went on to win multiple trophies during his time with Manchester United, including the Premier League and the Champions League.

Rooney is now the manager of Championship side Plymouth Argyle.

As per The Sun, here are the 25 most valuable wonderkids from 2004.

25. James Milner

Club in 2004: Newcastle

Value in 2004: £6.6m

Club now: Brighton and Hove Albion

Value now: €1m

Career-high value: £18.6m

24. Ricardo Quaresma

Club in 2004: Porto

Value in 2004: £6.6m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £22.1m

23. Ruben Olivera

Club in 2004: Juventus

Value in 2004: £7.1m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/a

Career-high value: £7.1m

22. Jermaine Jenas

Club in 2004: Newcastle

Value in 2004: £7.1m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £13.3m

21. Nilmar

Club in 2004: Lyon

Value in 2004: £7.1m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £17.7m

20. Carlos Alberto

Club in 2004: Porto

Value in 2004: £7.5m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £7.5m

19. Glen Johnson

Club in 2004: Chelsea

Value in 2004: £7.5m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £15m

Glen Johnson went on to play for Liverpool. Image: Getty

18. Dmitri Sychev

Club in 2004: Lokomotiv Moscow

Value in 2004: £8.8m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £8.8m

17. Fernando Cavenaghi

Club in 2004: Spartak Moscow

Value in 2004: £8.8m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £12.4m

16. Obafemi Martins

Club in 2004: Inter Milan

Value in 2004: £8.8m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £14.1m

15. Diego

Club in 2004: Santos

Value in 2004: £8.8m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £25.6m

14. Vincent Kompany

Club in 2004: Anderlecht

Value in 2004: £8.8m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £30.9m

Vincent Kompany won multiple Premier League titles with Manchester City. Image: Getty

13. Wesley Sneijder

Club in 2004: Ajax

Value in 2004: £8.8m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £39.8m

12. Emmanuel Adebayor

Club in 2004: Monaco

Value in 2004: £10.6m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £22.1m

11. Rafael Van Der Vaart

Club in 2004: Ajax

Value in 2004: £10.6m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £23m

10. Michael Essien

Club in 2004: Lyon

Value in 2004: £10.6m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £33.6m

9. Andres Iniesta

Club in 2004: Barcelona

Value in 2004: £10.6m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £61.9m

Andres Iniesta retired in 2024. Image: Getty

8. Daniele De Rossi

Club in 2004: Roma

Value in 2004: £12.4m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £33.6m

7. Carlos Tevez

Club in 2004: Boca Juniors

Value in 2004: £13.3m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £35.3m

6. Cristiano Ronaldo

Club in 2004: Man Utd

Value in 2004: £14.1m

Club now: Al Nassr

Value now: €15m

Career-high value: £54m

5. Arjen Robben

Club in 2004: Chelsea

Value in 2004: £17.7m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £35.3m

4. Robinho

Club in 2004: Santos

Value in 2004: £19.4m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £32.3m

3. Fernando Torres

Club in 2004: Atletico Madrid

Value in 2004: £22.1m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £44.2m

Fernando Torres made a name for himself in the Premier League at Liverpool. Image: Getty

2. Jose Antonio Reyes

Club in 2004: Arsenal

Value in 2004: £30.9m

Career-high value: £30.9m

1. Wayne Rooney

Club in 2004: Man Utd

Value in 2004: £32.7m

Club now: Retired

Value now: N/A

Career-high value: £57.4m