The World’s Most Valuable Footballers

Football transfer fees are spiralling out of control nowadays, of that there can be no doubt. When Paul Pogba sold for £100 million the footballing world was shocked, but such a fee is a pretty common price in today’s market. Since £100 million can only get you a youngster with barely any top-flight experience, can you imagine the current asking price for some of the best footballers on the planet?

Well, you do not need to imagine as we are going to take you through some of the most valuable footballers in the world at present. The values below have been provided by CIES Football Observatory and are based on criteria such as the player’s age, contract length, number of matches played, and the economic strength of the club that they play for.

Jude Bellingham

The Real Madrid and England star has the current highest transfer value in the footballing world. Following his €100 million move to Los Blancos from Borussia Dortmund last year, the 20-year-old had a great first season in Madrid, scoring 19 goals as they claimed the La Liga title.

To top off a stellar debut campaign in Spanish football, Bellingham also helped his new club to secure yet another Champions League title. The youngster from Stourbridge has exceptional ball control and can be physical when it is needed. He really is the complete package as he can win the ball back, drive forward with it, hold possession, play defence-splitting passes, assist, and score goals.

He plays in a more advanced role for Los Blancos, which has helped him to become even more deadly when presented with a goal-scoring opportunity. His undoubted quality and his achievements in his first season at Real Madrid have seen his value rocket to a staggering €280 million.

Erling Haaland

The Norwegian was once ranked as the most valuable football but, as you already know from above, he lost this crown to Bellingham. He has nothing to cry about those as the 24-year-old is still worth a huge amount of money.

In his first season in the English Premier League, he netted no fewer than 52 times. He was not as prolific last season, scoring a total of 38 goals, but he still won the Golden Boot and helped his team to the EPL title.

Haaland is the complete centre forward as his pace and movement causes even the best defenders a whole host of issues. Despite, his sizeable frame, which he can use to hold up play until support arrives, he is good with the ball at his feet and can finish with any legitimate part of his body.

He sometimes goes a while without touching the ball, but when an opportunity comes his way, he will usually take it. In the current market, the young Norwegian is estimated to be worth somewhere in the region of €255 million.

Vinicius Junior

When Vinicius Junior signed for Real Madrid in 2018, he was tipped to be as good as Neymar, and he has definitely lived up to these expectations. He struggled in front of goal during his first couple of seasons in Madrid, but he can now call himself one of the world’s most prolific wingers.

In the previous two seasons, the Brazilian has managed to reach double figures for assists and goals, highlighting the fact that is just as clinical as he is creative. He scored the second goal in the 2023/24 Champions League final at Wembley, sealing the title for Los Blancos.

He possesses explosive acceleration, outrageous dribbling skills, and extreme balance when he has the ball at his feet. Despite his slender build, he has plenty of strength to outmuscle the defenders that he comes up against.

His battle against Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, also known for his speed, was one of the highlights of last season’s UCL campaign. If there is one player that a defender does not want to take on in a one-on-one situation, it is Vinicius.

He is currently ranked as the third most valuable footballer in the world thanks to his price tag of around €240 million.

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe finally got his dream move to Real Madrid this summer, so he will be hoping that he can get his hands on the Champions League next season – something that has alluded him at Paris Saint-Germain.

He has won six league titles and a World Cup, and we are sure he will add plenty more trophies to his cabinet during his time at Real Madrid. Los Blancos signed the Frenchman on a free transfer since his PSG contract had run down, but they did still have to fork out a huge signing on fee and offer his huge weekly wages.

Mbappe usually plays as a winger and can play on the left or right due to his capability of using both his feet – he loves to cut in on his right foot and release a devastating shot. If need be, he can also play as the main striker thanks to his composure in front of goal and his clinical finishing.

He has very good dribbling ability, a silky first touch, and explosive pace. It will be very interesting to see how he fits in at Real Madrid when he is surrounded by some of the best players in the world. As for his current worth, if Real Madrid had to pay PSG for his services, he would have cost them somewhere in the region of €200 million.

Phil Foden

Manchester City’s Phil Foden is fifth on the list as at just 24 years of age he has already played over 200 games for his club and won no fewer than 17 trophies. This includes a historic treble during the 2022/23 campaign, and the 2023/24 EPL title.

He was also named as the Player of the Season in the EPL campaign that has just passed, beating off strong competition from other top players such as Halaand, Watkins, and Palmer. He is one of England’s most technically gifted players and can play on the wing or as a false nine.

He is able to sniff out pockets of space that other players cannot, which makes him extremely hard for opposing defenders to keep track of. Last season he scored 27 goals from the 52 matches that he played. He is currently valued at €190 million.