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Kick-off Edition: Lamine Yamal — Football's Rookie Phenomenon
Your football card insider—tracking trends, products, and market moves to elevate your collecting game
Neil Doherty
March 02, 2025
Welcome to ND Soccer Capital!
Behind the Cards
Image by Martin Dunst, CC BY-SA 4.0
Most people would be surprised to learn that the global leader in sports collectibles has chosen the UK over the USA for its flagship sports cards store—a move that will revolutionise the hobby this side of the Atlantic.
Fanatics Collectibles has acquired an enormous 8,647-square-foot unit on Regent Street, London, at the epicenter of UK high street commerce. The store is set to open in Spring 2025 and will be an exciting destination for those of us already immersed in the world of sports cards. Fascinatingly, it will also feature a state-of-the-art breaking studio as Fanatics aims to promote a growing subculture thriving on platforms like Whatnot and TikTok Shop.
With its groundbreaking flagship store, Fanatics is not only redefining the sports card experience but also laying the foundation for a new era of collecting culture in the UK and beyond.
Product Watch
6 Popular Products: Global Price Trends and Changes
Featured on Graphs Below:
Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions 2023/24
Topps Merlin Chrome UEFA Club Competitions 2023/24
Topps Stadium Club Chrome UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Topps Chrome UEFA Euro 2024
Topps UEFA Club Competitions 2024/25
Panini Soccer Donruss 2024/25
Topps UEFA Club Competitions returns for 2024/25!
Topps UEFA Club Competitions Gold 2024/25
Topps UEFA Club Competitions Knockout 2024/25
Topps’ hugely popular UEFA Club Competitions sets are back for the 2024/25 season, and as expected, these products have sold out quickly.
What’s Been Released So Far?
Flagship Set: The much-loved Topps UEFA Club Competitions (aka Flagship) kicked off the season with its December 2024 release.
Topps Gold: Released on January 24, 2025, priced at £160 per box (40 cards across 4 packs), sold out by February 7, 2025.
Topps Knockout: Launched the week of February 17, 2025, priced at £50 per box (40 cards across 8 packs). Buyers are still awaiting delivery as of February 27, 2025.
With both Gold and Knockout sets sold out on Topps' website, traders and collectors will inevitably turn to the secondary market to obtain these products, with Topps UCC Gold currently listed at £200 per box on eBay.co.uk, indicating strong demand among collectors.
Card Watch
Spanish teenage phenomenon Lamine Yamal may not be the first soccer rookie, but his cards are the most valuable to date, embodying the North American ‘rookie’ spirit like no player before him.
Yamal market analysis was therefore the logical starting point to kick-off ND Soccer Capital’s ‘Card Watch’ section. For this purpose, I have chosen variations of Yamal’s Refractor from Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions 2023/24 to highlight some potentially untapped value for collectors across the entire spectrum, from budget-friendly options to higher-end investments.
Below, I’ve used Card Ladder data to showcase a range of options that highlight the potential value available to collectors across all budgets.
PS: If you decide to sign up for Card Ladder using my affiliate link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me continue providing valuable content through ND Soccer Capital. Thank you!
Yamal’s Refractor (PSA 10) offers affordable long-term investment upside potential.
Yamal’s Refractor (PSA 10) has a population of 232 (422 total population).
£145.15 is the Card Ladder value of Yamal’s Neon Green Wave Refractor /399 (PSA 10).
Yamal’s Neon Green Wave Refractor /399 has a pop of just 81, leaving 318 still out in the wild!
Yamal’s Gold Refractor /50 has only sold twice, most recently for £1,580 on Feb 17, 2025.
Yamal’s Gold Refractor /50 has a total population of just 14.
Yamal’s Orange Refractor /25 has also only sold twice, most recently for £1,397 on Feb 11, 2025 (£183 less than the second Gold Refractor /50 sale six days later).
Yamal’s Orange Refractor /25 has a total population of just 6, representing true scarcity.
If Yamal truly is the first authentic soccer rookie, these cards may offer significant investment potential when compared to his possible counterparts in North American sports, such as LeBron James in basketball or Tom Brady in football, whose rookie cards have become iconic and extremely valuable over time.
All data courtesy of Card Ladder—Why not discover how Card Ladder can enhance your card collecting experience?
You’ve Pulled!
A celebration of recent big card pulls!
Topps UCC 23/24 Japan Edition: Lamine Yamal Superfractor Auto (Courtesy of @pats_pulls)
Topps Merlin Chrome UCC 23/24: Lamine Yamal Superfractor Auto (Courtesy of @cajunbreaker)
Congratulations to @pats_pulls & @cajunbreaker for hitting these awesome cards!
If anyone pulls anything big please feel free to hit me up on Instagram! @ndsoccercapital
As I wrap up this inaugural issue of ND Soccer Capital, I hope you enjoyed the insights into Lamine Yamal’s impact on the football card market. Stay tuned for more updates on emerging trends and valuable cards to watch.
Disclaimer: ND Soccer Capital provides information and opinions about sports card investing for educational purposes only. We are not financial advisors, and our content should not be considered investment advice. Investing in sports cards carries substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone. The value of cards can fluctuate significantly based on various factors, including player performance, market trends, and condition. Any investment decisions you make are solely your responsibility. ND Soccer Capital, its owners, employees, and affiliates shall not be held liable for any losses, damages, or legal issues arising from your investment choices. Always conduct your own research and consider seeking advice from a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.