LONDON — Manchester United’s young star JJ Gabriel has received a one-of-a-kind trading card crafted from 24-carat gold, just days after his unofficial debut with the senior team.
The 15-year-old forward, hailed as one of the most promising talents from United’s academy, made his appearance in a preseason match against Atlético Madrid.
Although this appearance won’t count as an official competitive debut, it has made him the youngest player to ever play for Manchester United’s senior squad.
Gabriel’s card, marked as 1 of 1, is part of the newly launched Premier League trading card collection that debuted on Thursday. With expectations high, he is likely to become one of the most sought-after rookie cards in this series.
Last month, the card manufacturer released one featuring Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal as a child being held by Lionel Messi, which serves as a nostalgic highlight before their meeting in the World Cup final.
Previously, cards of emerging young talents fetched significant amounts, with reports indicating five-figure sums achieved during the last season.
– Vinícius Jr. signs a six-year contract extension with Real Madrid
– UEFA remains committed to World Cup boycott plans despite FIFA’s apology
In the 2025-26 season, trading cards of Chelsea‘s young talent Estêvão sold for astounding sums of £89,000 ($119,767.30) and £74,000 ($99,581.80).
Gabriel is the youngest player out of 20 featured on this year’s collection of gilded Topps cards.
The collection also includes stars like Erling Haaland from Manchester City, Declan Rice from Arsenal, as well as legends such as Alan Shearer and Harry Kane, currently at Bayern Munich.