Football: Top 20 most expensive teenage footballers ever (With Pictures)

17. Cristiano Ronaldo – £12.25m

Cristiano Ronaldo epitomises why clubs risk tens of millions of pounds to get their hands on the most promising youngsters in world football. When Manchester United splashed £12.25m on a skinny 18-year-old winger in August 2003, Sir Alex Ferguson had a fair idea of what he was spending his money on. In April 2003, Ronaldo tore United apart in the inauguration of the Estadio Jose Alvalade with a performance Sir Alex described as “marvelous.” The Portuguese would leave Sporting for the English giants just prior to the beginning of the 2003-04 season and the rest is history.

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