Real Madrid feature heavily in CIES most expensive footballers list: Bellingham, Vinicius, Endrick

Leaving to one side what might happen with the future of Mbappé and Haaland, Endrick is Real Madrid’s star signing for next summer. The Brazilian is currently on vacation and will return to play for Palmeiras at the end of this month. He will not arrive at the Spanish club until July, when he will be 18. As for last season, Endrick managed to show up in the final stretch of the season to give his team the league title and such performances have pushed him up in various rankings and individual league tables.

The CIES Football Observatory, a research group within the International Centre for Sports Studies, have compiled a list of the most expensive under-19 talents across the world and the Brazilian immediately stands out above the with €82 million ($90). Madrid paid €35 million ($38m), plus the same amount in variables depending on different objectives.

Who is the most expensive player in the world?

After the Brazilian is a PSG player, Warren Zaire-Emery, who is worth €80 million ($88m). Playing in Europe seems to be the key to a higher value, as the top-3 is closed by Lamine Yamal, who has a much lower price than the two ahead of him: €64.5 million ($71m). Following the Spaniard is a teammate of his, Vitor Roque. The striker has just arrived at Barcelona and has a transfer value of €56 million ($61m). In the top 10 there is no other Spaniard and no other player from a LaLiga club.

The CIES have not only released the list of the youngest rising stars, they also list the most expensive players of any age. The statistical model it uses to accurately calculate transfer fees that clubs are likely to pay does not take into account possible termination clauses; it takes into account the age of the player and the time left on their contract.

Bellingham is the world’s most expensive player

The most expensive player in the world at this moment in time is Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. To sign the Englishman, a club would have to pay a total of €267 million ($293m). If a club were to stump up and pay such a fee to Los Blancos, it would represent the most expensive signing in history. In second place is Erling Haaland, with a value of €251 million ($275m). Madrid are the team that have the most players in the top 5, as Vinicius and Rodrygo are third and fourth in this ranking, with €250 million ($274m) and €248 million ($271m), respectively.

Mbappé is far behind in this list, way down in 27th place. The reason? He is only six months away from leaving for free to another team and right now it is estimated that no club would pay more than €106 million ($116m). The first Spanish (and Barcelona) player to appear on this list is Gavi, despite being injured, in seventh place with a value of €175 million ($192m). Madrid is the definitive leader of world football when it comes to having the most expensive players in the game.