Top 10 players with highest market value in football history

Published at :August 28, 2023 at 9:10 AM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 6:29 PM

In recent years market value of stars has gone up and down

The world of football is not just about goals and trophies; it’s also where market values soar to unprecedented heights. The figures reflect the exceptional talent, potential, and marketability of the players involved. The record in the Italian league has been broken, the one in Spain not quite yet, and in England and France Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe continue to dominate the top of the market value rankings.

These valuations represent the gems, and players who have transformed the beautiful game into a captivating spectacle. With each player commanding a staggering price tag, we witness the fusion of raw talent, technique, and magnetic charisma that has launched them to heights.

In this article, we explore the financial valuation of football and look into the top 10 highest market values ever recorded in the sport’s history.

10. Kevin De Bruyne- €150M (2017-18)

Arguably one of the greatest midfielders in world football at the moment, Manchester City‘s Kevin De Bruyne is unsurprisingly worth more than €100 million with his current market value estimated to be worth €150 million. KDB has more than 100 assists for Manchester City, Haaland’s goal tally this season was because of the deliveries that KDB provided him.

9. Harry Kane – €150M (2017-18)

Harry Kane has consistently been one of the most valuable players in the world for a couple of years now. One of the best forwards at the moment, his value remains this to date because he has been lethal when it comes to creating and scoring chances. He is England’s top scorer and second in the list of most goals scored in the Premier League.

8. Mohamed Salah – €150M (2017-18)

Mohamed Salah moved to Liverpool in June 2017 for a reported fee of €42 million. At the time, his market value was estimated to be €35 million. In his very first season at Liverpool, Salah registered 44 goals and 16 assists from 52 matches in all competitions. Salah helped Liverpool lift the Champions League trophy as well as the Premier League trophy.

7. Sadio Mane – €150M (2019-20)

By the end of 2019, owing to Mane’s contribution to Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League victory and their bustling start to the 2019-20 Premier League season, his market value climbed to €150 million. Mane, currently playing for the Bundesliga club Bayern has been a part of their attack, his contributions helped Bavarians to win the Bundesliga title this season.

6. Vinicius Jr- €150M (2022-23)

Vinicius Jr football — Vinicius has been productive in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 season

Real Madrid’s Brazilian rising star Vinicius Jr., is not only the second-highest value ever achieved in Spain behind Messi (€180m at Barcelona in 2018), but also the sixth-highest value in market value history. His career-high value, however, Vini Jr. shares with seven other footballers. He has been given the Number 7 ahead of next season, a lot will be on his shoulders as we prepare for the next season.

5. Raheem Sterling – €160M (2019-20)

Manchester City won a domestic double (the Premier League and the Carabao Cup) in the 2017-18 season and then a domestic treble (the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup) in the 2018-19 season. A lot of Manchester City’s success had to do with Raheem Sterling. Raheem Sterling signed for Chelsea recently and will continue to be a part of Pochettino’s squad this upcoming season.

4. Lionel Messi – €180M (2017-18)

football Lionel Messi — Lionel Messi scored 44 goals in all competitions for Barcelona in 2017-18

By far one of the best players to have ever graced the sport, Lionel Messi recorded his highest-ever market value (€180 million) in January 2018 – shortly after Neymar’s transfer inflated the market. The 36-year-old has joined Inter Miami this summer from PSG but his market value has declined possibly because of his age and the fact that he has changed two clubs since then.

3. Neymar- €180M (2017-18)

Neymar’s move to PSG not only made history but also inflated the transfer market when he completed his world-record move €222 million from LaLiga giants Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. He is widely hailed as one of the best players in the world at the moment, Neymar, the 31-year-old has received major interest from Premier League clubs even though his contract runs until 2025.

2. Erling Haaland- €180M (2022-23)

The Norwegian is now valued at €180 million, he was a goal-scoring robot for Manchester City in the 2022-23 season, helping them win the treble. Now, the Norwegian and the Frenchman share the top spot on the list of the world’s most expensive football players. With his performances, Haaland made it into the list of the top 10 highest values of footballers right now.

1. Kylian Mbappe- €200M (2018-19)

The World Cup winner was 19 years old when his market value reached its peak, Mbappe has been one of the most influential players of this generation. Since his arrival at PSG, he has transformed the side and the French side relies on him the most. He was given the captain band for the last couple of games in the 2022-23 season, which might mean that he’ll continue to captain this side.

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