Football INDEX: South American gems rising in market value

Football INDEX is the world’s first football stock market where you can buy and sell shares in footballers with real money. Football INDEX offers fans a chance to bet on the future success of football players compared to the short-lived outcome of betting on football results.

Intrigued by what Football INDEX has to offer, but unsure whether to gamble your money? Football INDEX offers new customers a 7-day risk free period where they will refund any deposits made within the first seven days of the first deposit, up to a total of £500. Think of it as a trial period where you will effectively have up to £500 to play with during your first week of trading.

Still undecided what footballers to invest your money in? Football INDEX even provides users with a handy tool to help you make informed decisions. Share prices tend to fluctuate, but they aren’t just determined by player performance. Share prices can also increase based on the media attention a player receives on any given day of trading.

Every day, Football INDEX highlights the five biggest market movers over a 24-hour period, which can be locked on the website’s home page.

1. VINICIUS JUNIOR (FLAMENGO)

Real Madrid caused a real stir when they completed a stunning €45m (£39.6m) deal to sign unknown Flamengo teenager Vinicius Junior in May 2017 when he was just 16.

Now, 17, the Brazilian midfielder is not due to move to Madrid until July 2019 unless the Spanish giants accelerate a move for the teenager before then.

Vinicius made 25 league appearances for Flamengo last season, but only four of those came as a starter after being eased into professional football by the Brazilian outfit.

Shares in the Brazilian were made available for purchase on Football INDEX on Tuesday and his price has already increased 102.8%, now trading at £1.27.

Unless you are willing to hold on to 'futures' in Vinicius until the summer of 2019, it might be worth passing on the chance to invest.

2. CRISTIAN PAVON (BOCA JUNIORS)

Heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in January, Boca Juniors starlet Cristian Pavon is finally trading on Football INDEX and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by users.

The 22-year-old’s share price has already increased 46.25% and a share in the Argentine will now set you back £0.93.

However, Arsenal appear to have cooled their interest in Pavon after signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last month.

Like Vinicius, if you failed to get in early it might be worth passing on the chance to invest and look to put your money elsewhere.

3. YERRY MINA (BARCELONA)

Barcelona opted to bring forward their option to sign Colombian defender Yerry Mina last month, which coincided with Javier Mascherano leaving to join the Chinese Super League.

Mina has been earmarked as a future star of the Barcelona first-team and, in an ideal world, will partner Samuel Umtiti in defence for years to come. The 23-year-old is yet to make his Barcelona debut, but he has now made his bow on Football INDEX.

The 23-year-old share price has spiked 46.17% in the last 24 hours and he is certainly worth investing in as Barcelona are still competing on three fronts this season.

There will almost certainly come a time when Ernesto Valverde will have to turn to Mina and you should feel the rewards on your initial investment.

4. ARTHUR (GREMIO)

Gremio midfielder Arthur could have joined Mina in moving from South America to Barcelona in January, but Ernesto Valverde’s side failed to get a deal over the line for the 21-year-old having already signed Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool for a club-record fee.

Newly released on Football INDEX, the Brazilian’s share price has already jumped 38.84% and he is now trading at £1.05 as people look to capitalise on his new inclusion on the market.

However, the Brasileirao is not due to start until halfway through the year so you won’t have the chance to make any more money on the Gremio starlet if you invest now. Look elsewhere for capital.

5. ALIREZA JAHANBAKHSH (AZ ALKMAAR)

Completing the top five market movers is AZ Alkmaar’s highest WhoScored rating player, Alireza Jahanbakhsh. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a stunning campaign for the Dutch side this season and could prove a wise investment, particularly ahead of the 2018 World Cup when he will have a huge shop window to show off his talents on the global stage with Iran.

His share price has increased 37.69% on Football INDEX and is now trading at £0.72 a share. Only Hakim Ziyech (8.27) has garnered a higher WhoScored rating than Jahanbakhsh (8.05) in the Eredivisie this season, while no player has won the WhoScored Man of the Match award more times (7). Invest now!