Top 10 most valuable players in world football
According to the CIES Football Observatory, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Erling Haaland are the most valuable players in the world.
Mbappe, 23, who turned down a move to Real Madrid to stay at Paris St-German, tops the list with an estimated transfer value of 205.6 million euros (£175.7 million).
Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr, who scored the game-winning goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool, is second at £158.3 million, with Norway’s Manchester City-bound striker Haaland third (£130.4 million).
In fifth place, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham (£114.1m) is the most valuable English player on the list, ahead of England teammate and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden (£105.9m).
Premier League clubs dominate the list, with 41 representatives among the top 100.
To calculate estimated transfer values, the CIES considers a number of factors such as a player’s age, performance, economic value of their club, and inflation.
France striker Mbappe signed a new three-year contract with PSG last month, opting to stay in Paris rather than move to La Liga and Champions League winners Real Madrid.
The World Cup winner scored 28 goals in Ligue 1 to help PSG win the title in 2021-22.
Haaland, 21, has joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund after the club activated his 60 million euro (£51.2 million) release clause. His new City teammate Ruben Dias is the most valuable defender in ninth (£93.6m).
Manchester City’s 30-year-old Kevin de Bruyne is the oldest player in the top 100 (£48.9m), while Barcelona’s 17-year-old Gavi is the youngest (£49.9m).
Meanwhile, PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who won the European Championship with Italy, is the most valuable goalkeeper, ranking 41st in the rankings (£62.9m).
Liverpool, the Premier League and Champions League runners-up this season, is represented in the top 10 by January signing Luis Diaz (£94m).
Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, who has been linked with Manchester United, and Ferran Torres all feature in the top ten.
England internationals Jadon Sancho (£88.1 million), Mason Mount (£85.7 million), and Bukayo Saka (£85.6 million) are ranked 13th, 14th, and 15th, respectively.
Darwin Nunez, who has been heavily linked with a move from Benfica, has the highest valuation (£59.9m) for players outside of Europe’s top five leagues.
| Top 10 most valuable players in world football (CIES Football Observatory) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Value |
| Kylian Mbappe | Paris St-Germain | £175.7m |
| Vinicius Jr | Real Madrid | £158.3m |
| Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund | £130.4m |
| Pedri | Barcelona | £115.4m |
| Jude Bellingham | Borussia Dortmund | £114.2m |
| Phil Foden | Manchester City | £105.9m |
| Frenkie de Jong | Barcelona | £96.1m |
| Luis Diaz | Liverpool | £94.0m |
| Ruben Dias | Manchester City | £93.6m |
| Ferran Torres | Barcelona | £93.5m |
