No Messi or Cristiano in most valuable world XI - CIES

The CIES Football Observatory has published a list of the hundred players with the highest market value across the five major leagues (see the table below). Among the variables considered in the new and improved algorith, are factors such as age, contract restrictions, playing position, minutes played, goals scored, national team activity and team results.

Most valuable XI

The top three players in the list are PSG's Kylian Mbappé, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, all of whom feature in our most valuable starting XI based on a 4-3-3 formation. That does, however, mean that the likes of Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo sit out. The total estimated market value of this side is a mere 1,614,300,000 euros.

Goalkeeper

Champions League winner Alisson Becker would take his place between the sticks. The Liverpool man has been a key figure for Jürgen Klopp, and was identified as a necessary investment last summer. His value is seen to be €107.5m (24th overall), with Barcelona's German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen next at €95.2m (30th).

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Defenders

In defence, Liverpool dominate. At right-back is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who would cost €130.2m (13th), and his Scottish teammate Andrew Robertson (€88.3m) fills in on the other flank. In the centre they are joined by The Reds' Dutch rock Virgil Van Dijk currently valued at €112.1m (22th) and Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte (€105.4m, 25th).

Midfielders

The three in midfield are formed by City and Portugal star Bernardo Silva (€136.9m, 11th), Barcelona's Brazilian, Phillipe Coutinho (€129.4m, 14th), and Paul Pogba. The Manchester United and France midfielder is valued at €125.1m and is in 16th place overall.

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Forwards

The attacking trident is where you would really be spending the huge bucks. As previously mentioned Kylian Mbappé tops the list at €252m, with Mohamed Salah (€219.6m) and Raheem Sterling (€207.8m) coming second and third respectively.

For all the debate that could be caused about the best starting XI, it would certainly be fun watching this one play together.

100 most valuable players in the transfer market (million euros)