The CIES Football Observatory (International Center for Sports Studies), a foundation affiliated with the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland), has been preparing and updating its list of the players with the highest -estimated- value in the market for several years. And yes, as for several courses, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the best in history, no longer lead these lists.
What do you take into account when putting together the list? In their algorithm they contemplate variables related to the clubs, the performance of the footballers (obviously) and, of course, their context.
Some of the factors they consider are age, current contract, position, team, minutes played, goals, assists, international status, individual awards, collective results, progression and the demands of the championship in which they compete.
For all the aforementioned, it makes sense that Kylian Mbappé is the leader. And it is that the world champion is barely 23 years old and has just defined his future (he extended his relationship with PSG for 3 more seasons),
The honor roll is completed by Vinicius Júnior, who is 21 years old and has just broken everything at Real Madrid (League champion, Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Champions League being a star), and Erling Haaland, who has just been signed by Manchester City and is, without a doubt, the best young centre-forward on the planet.
Any news? Watch out for Pedri González and Jude Bellingham. And pay attention to the jump that Luis Díaz made after signing with Liverpool and leaving spectacular performances in his first months as a member red.
what about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi? As they are veterans of 37 (CR7) and almost 35 years (Messi) their value is reduced because they do not have as much time left in the elite. Something normal and understandable.
TOP 20 WITH THE GREATEST VALUE IN THE MARKET (CIES) – NEITHER MESSI NOR CR7
- Kylian Mbappé (PSG – France): 205.6 million euros.
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid – Brazil): 185.3 million euros.
- Erling Haaland (City – Noruega.)): 152.6 million euros.
- Pedri González (FC Barcelona – Spain): 135.1 million euros.
- Jude Bellingham (BVB – Inglaterra): 133.7 million euros.
- Phil Foden (City – England): €124 million.
- Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona – Netherlands): 112.5 million euros.
- Luis Diaz (Liverpool – Colombia): €110 million.
- Rúben Dias (City – Portugal): 109.6 million euros.
- Ferran Torres (FC Barcelona – Spain): 109.5 million euros.
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter-Argentina): 106.7 million euros.
- Jamal Musiala (Bayern – Alemania): 105.3 million euros.
- Jadon Sancho (United – England): 103.2 million euros.
- Mason Mount (Chelsea – England): 100.3 million euros.
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal – England): 100.2 million euros.
- Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig – Croacia): €99.8 million.
- Bruno Fernandes (United – Portugal): 97.8 million euros.
- Nicolo Barella (Inter – Italy): 94.9 million euros.
- Kai Havertz (Chelsea – Alemania): 93.6 million euros.
- Joao Felix (Atlético – Portugal): 90.8 million euros.
The players who follow? Eder Militao (90.3 million euros), Ronald Araújo (89.1 million euros), Florian Wirtz (87.7 million euros), Dusan Vlahovic (87.6 million euros), Trent Alexander-Arnold (87.4 million euros), Federico Valverde ( 85.7 million euros), Diogo Jota (85.3 million euros), Reece James (82.5 million euros) and Eduardo Camavinga (78.2 million euros).
Can you imagine what would be the estimated value of Messi and Cristiano in their prime time with the figures that are handled in football today? The 222 million euros that PSG paid for Neymar Júnior would fall short.
Undefeated data. Kylian Mbappé has 171 goals and 76 assists in 217 official games with PSG. He was on his way to being the all-time top scorer (200) and all-time top assists (112). In 3 years (contract until 2025) he will have plenty of time to get it.
Did you know…? Vinicius Júnior finished a season with 22 goals and 16 assists in 52 games played for Real Madrid. League champion being the top dribbler, Super Cup champion scoring against FC Barcelona in the semi-finals and UEFA Champions League champion shining in all rounds KO and converting the winning goal in the final. Calm down.
Undefeated data. Erling Haaland concluded his time at Borussia Dortmund with 86 goals, 19 assists and 1 title in 89 games played. Footprint in Germany.
Did you know…? Pedri González was young MVP in his first major tournament with the Spanish National Team. He shone at the 2020 Euro Cup of Nations.