One of the areas often looked at when judging the importance of a player is his market value. Today some of the most valuable footballers in the world can be found in the top European leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, Série A and the German Bundesliga.
Read: How is a footballer’s market value calculated?
That being said, the market value of players in world football has continued to grow even as clubs who are battle-ready for the trophy war in their respective leagues continue to spend big on players in the market.
Highest paid footballers in the world ranked
The market value of players in Europe have continued to soar and it is expected to continue in 2023. Some these players includes Erling Haaland who joined Man City for around 50 million pounds and is currently valued over 170 million. Jude Bellingham have also continued with his rise in the market due to his exploits at Borussia Dortmund and with the Three Lions at the World Cup in Qatar.
Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka have made it to the 100 million club, same for Jamal Musiala and Real Madrid’s winger Fede Valverde. Phil Foden, Gavi and Aurélien Tchouameni are making it to the top gradually.
As a trusted source for players’ records, Transfermarkt has ranked the most valued players based on numerous criteria, including weekly wages, transfer fees and current forms.
So who is the most valuable football player in the world? In the last couple of years, top names like Neymar Jr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale have topped the list in the past decade.
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Ranking the richest footballers in the world including Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé
At the moment, most of the players in the spotlight on the European continent are mostly youngsters who are leading the most valuable footballers list. Names like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Gavi are at the top of the list
Top 20 Most valuable players in the world 2023
1 . Kylian Mbappé – €180.00m
Position: Centre-Forward
Country: France
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
2 . Erling Haaland – €170.00m
Position: Centre-Forward
Country: Norway
Club: Manchester City
3. Vinicius Junior – €120.00m
Position: Left Winger
Country: Brazil
Club: Real Madrid
Read: Ranking the best players in the English Premier League
4. Jude Bellingham – €110.00m
Position: Central Midfield
Country: England
Club: Borussia Dortmund
5 . Phil Foden – €110.00m
Position: Central Midfield
Country: England
Club: Manchester City
6 . Bukayo Saka – €110.00m
Position: Right Winger
Country: England
Club: Arsenal FC
7 . Jamal Musiala – €100.00m
Position: Attacking Midfield
Country: Germany
Club: FC Bayern Munich
8. Pedri – €100.00m
Position: Centre-Midfield
Country: Spain
Club: FC Barcelona
9. Federico Valverde – €100.00m
Position: Right Midfield
Country: England
Club: Real Madrid
10. Gavi – €90.00m
Position: Central Midfield
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona
11 . Aurélien Tchouameni – €90.00m
Position: Defensive Midfield
Country: France
Club: Real Madrid
12 . Harry Kane – €90.00m
Position: Centre Forward Midfield
Country: England
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
13 . Rafael Leão – €85.00m
Position: Left Winger
Country: Portugal
Club: AC Milan
14. Rodrygo – €80.00m
Position: Right Winger
Country: Brazil
Club: Real Madrid
15 . Declan Rice – €80.00m
Position: Defensive Midfield
Country: England
Club: West Ham United
16. Rodri – €80.00m
Position: Defensive Midfield
Country: Spain
Club: Manchester City
17. Dusan Vlahovic – €80.00m
Position: Centre Forward
Country: Serbia
Club: Juventus
18. Christopher Nkunku – €80.00m
Position: Striker
Country: France
Club: RB Leipzig
19. Bernardo Silva – €80.00m
Position: Attacking Midfield
Country: Portugal
Club: Manchester City
20. Joshua Kimmich – €80.00m
Position: Defensive Midfield
Country: Germany
Club: FC Bayern Munich
A highlight of some of the most valuable players
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Kylian Mbappé
A master class and courted by some of the biggest football clubs across the big leagues in Europe, Mbappé has been consistent over the years.
Mbappé is known for his many abilities, including dribbling, speed, an eye for goal and accuracy. The Frenchman is one of the most valuable players on the planet.
Although Mbappé needs more time to improve, the steps away from becoming the number forward in the world are just inches away.
Began with AS Monaco in the Ligue 1, and Mbappé sealed a move to giants Paris Saint-Germain and has since remained on the wishlist of various European clubs like Real Madrid, who’s been rumoured to be interested.
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Erling Haaland
From the Red Bull Salzburg talent factory in Austria, Haaland has become a sensation not just in Borussia Dortmund but hailed for his goals and contributions. He’s known for his ability to make runs and accuracy when scoring goals.
Although there’s still room for improvement related to Haaland’s future, the future is bright.
Today, Haaland is one of few youngsters within the top five European leagues to hit double figures every season.
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Vinicius Junior
Although not the heir apparent to Ronaldo, Vinicius Junior is known for his incredible skills and style of play. The young Brazilian is one of the futures of world football.
Junior’s talents are natural, and he needs time, consistency and effort on his part to become a success.
Real Madrid took the bold step to secure the services of Junior, who became more than a sensation in the Brazilian Football Championship with Flamengo between 2007 and 2008.
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Mohamed Salah
From being a Chelsea reject to a superstar at Italian Serie A side AS Roma, Mohamed Salah drove the heart of Premier League giants Liverpool, who had the most straightforward buttons to hit to recall the former blue to his old fortress.
Switching to Liverpool, Salah has won trophies including the Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, Champions League, EPL Golden Boot and Premier League Players of the Month Awards as the leading player in the team.
Salah is regarded as one of the best players in world football and could be compared with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Sergio Kun Agüero.
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Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes wrote his name on the Premier League archives. The Portuguese who joined Manchester United from Sporting CP became an instant hit in the Premier League.
Fernandes made a name, becoming one of the fastest players to adapt to the Premier League and winning the league’s Player of the Month Awards consecutively. Fernandes was more than the backbone of Manchester United in his first season.
At the moment, Bruno Fernandes is regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football and declared untouchable at Old Trafford.
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