Football transfer fees continue to skyrocket, but who are the world’s most valued players right now?
When evaluating a player’s market valuation, several elements come into play. To earn the highest market value, one should preferably be in excellent form, have plenty of time left on his contract, be in peak physical condition and of course, age is factor.
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The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) attempted to list the most valuable footballers in the game, with the top ten being worth more than £100 million.
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10. Federico Valverde– £109.1m
Federico Valverde is ranked tenth (£109.1m), reflecting the midfielder’s increased importance at Real Madrid.
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The Spanish giants signed Valverde as a teenager, and the 24-year-old has since grown into one of the world’s most effective midfielders. He has thrived in a box-to-box role from either the side or through the center and will be a vital component in Real’s engine room rebuild moving ahead.
Valverde has appeared in 22 All Whites games this season, scoring eight goals and assisting on four others. He is under contract through June 20, 2027.
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With eight goals in 19 starts across all competitions this season, he has shown an improved end product in the final third. He had only six goals in his previous four seasons combined, but he has evolved into an indispensable figure in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
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9. Josko Gvardiol – £111.1m
you heard the name right, Josko Gvardiol won many people’s heart during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup for his defensives masterclass which helped Croatia finish third in the World Cup.
The biggest teams in Europe are battling for the signing of Gvardiol, who has been named the most valuable defender in the world by the CIES Football Observatory.
Gvardiol has sparked great attention since joining RB Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb 18 months ago, putting in a string of excellent displays to establish himself as one of the Bundesliga’s brightest prospects.
The 20-year-old improved his reputation as a ball-carrier and passer from the backline during Croatia’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar. Chelsea expressed an interest in his services last summer and may do so again. Leipzig, on the other hand, will not let him depart on the cheap.
8. Jamal Musiala – £128.1m
Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich’s 19-year-old sensation, is the club’s most valuable player. The Bavarian star, whose contract with the club expires in June 2026, is worth £128.1m.
Jamal Musiala is in the midst of a spectacular season at Bayern Munich, having progressed from promising youngster to established star.
No player has been directly involved in more Bundesliga goals this season than the teenager, who has nine goals and six assists in his 12 league appearances. The midfielder was one of the few players to emerge with praise from Germany’s World Cup campaign, as his effectiveness in beating defenders and generating chances was clear.
The 19-year-old was crowned Bayern Munich’s 2022 Player of the Year and continues to be developing under Julian Nagelsmann’s system.
7. Gavi – £130.4m
Gavi, the youngest player on this list, has a market value of £130.4million. The Kopa Trophy was awarded to the 18-year-old midfielder as the Young Player of the Year in 2022.
Gavi, who is under contract with Barcelona until June 2026, is a terrific ball carrier who can command the tempo of the game and also contributes goals. He has appeared in 21 games for the Blaugrana in all competitions this season, recording two assists.’
The teenager got into the team last season and has since become a staple, breaking multiple club and national records. In 2022, he became Spain’s youngest debutant and scored, before becoming the second-youngest player (behind Pelé) to score in a World Cup in Qatar.
He turns 19 in August and has already made 69 appearances for Barcelona, winning both the Golden Boy and the Kopa Trophy in 2022. Catalonia has a long history of producing exceptional midfielders, and Gavi appears to be the next product to reach the pinnacle.
6. Pedri – £150.3m
Pedri, 20, is Barcelona’s most valued player, with a price tag of £150.3 million.
Pedri and Gavi have been compared to Xavi and Andres Iniesta and can be the spine of their side for the next decade.
The central midfielder is an excellent playmaker who can score amazing goals and has developed as a natural midfield leader. Pedri has appeared in 20 games for the Blaugrana across all competitions this season, scoring three times. His Catalan contract will expire in June 2026.
In addition to being named the Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020 as Spain advanced to the semifinals, he won the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophies in 2021.
5. Erling Haaland – £154.5m
Erling Haaland of Manchester City has emerged as the most lethal striker in Europe this year.
The former Borussia Dortmund player, who deservedly bears an eye-popping £154.5 million price tag, has been netting goals like crazy in the 2022–23 season.
The 22-year-old Norwegian player has played in 21 games across all competitions since joining the Cityzens in the summer and has scored an astounding 27 goals. He has scored 21 goals in total, making him the fastest player in history to reach that mark in the Premier League (15 matches).
His contract at Etihad runs until June 2027.
4. Vinicius Junior – £168.2m
The most expensive player at Real Madrid right now is Vinicius Junior, who has a price tag of £168.2 million. The Brazil international has been the team’s leading scorer since Karim Benzema struggles to stay fit kicked in this year. In 22 games across competitions, the former Flamengo player has 10 goals and 5 assists.
The 22-year-old, whose Real Madrid contract expires in June 2024, impressed for Brazil in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. In four appearances at his first FIFA World Cup, the left winger scored once and assisted twice.
With his flare, skill, and ever-improving final product, he has emerged as one of the best wingers in the world.
3. Kylian Mbappe – £168.4m
If you know football well then Mbappe is the next talk in world football.
This season, the Frenchman has been on fire for PSG, scoring 20 goals and earning five assists in 22 games across all competitions. The contract of the Parisian expires in June 2025.
Mbappe also demonstrated his worth in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 24-year-old won the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals in seven games. His most memorable performance was in the final, when he scored a spectacular hat trick. Despite his heroics, Mbappe and his teammates were defeated, with Argentina winning 4-2 on penalties (the score was 3-3 after extra time).
Mbappe has been on Real Madrid’s radar for a long time. Last summer they tried to bring him to Madrid but the deal failed after PSG refused to sell him. It’s still uncertain if PSG will change their mind after offering Mbappe a lucrative contract.
2. Phil Foden – £177.7m
Phil Foden is considered as the world’s second-most valuable player, with Manchester City’s home-grown hero going from strength to strength.
The £177.7 million man has consistently delivered strong performances, which has enabled him to reach his highest worth to date.
Foden has matured into a match-winner under Pep Guardiola’s coaching since rising from the club’s youth academy, functioning in a range of advanced roles with that unique fluid technique.
The 22-year-old is perhaps England’s brightest talent, having already won four Premier League titles and being voted PFA Young Player of the Season in successive seasons.
Foden, whose contract with City expires in June 2027, has appeared in 23 games for Pep Guardiola’s side in the 2022-23 season, scoring eight goals and assisting three times. The 22-year-old played four games for England at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, scoring once and assisting twice.
1. Jude Bellingham – £183.9m
CIES believes Jude Bellingham is the most valuable footballer in the world right now, which is good news for Borussia Dortmund as Europe’s best clubs compete for his services.
Over the course of two and a half seasons in Dortmund, Bellingham has gone from promising prospect to club and country leader.
The Englishman has impressed not only with his flawless passing and ability to influence the tempo of the game, but also with his ability to create and score goals.
Bellingham’s box-to-box ability is said to have Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Chelsea competing for his services this summer, with each planning massive bids to entice the 19-year-old from the Westfalenstadion.
His contract expires in 2025.
