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SOCCER

Surprises in the most expensive XI of each European league

The best players are spread across Europe’s top leagues: these are the most expensive lineups.

The best players are spread across Europe’s top leagues: these are the most expensive lineups.

The value of football players fluctuates each season due to various factors such as age, previous season performance, and club transfers. Emerging talents often see their market value soar exponentially, while players nearing the end of their careers experience a decline in value.

As the new season approaches, the top stars are gearing up to perform each week. Europe continues to attract the world’s most talented players, leading to high-value squads in the major leagues. According to Transfermarkt, here is the most expensive starting eleven from each of the five most followed competitions:

The Most Expensive Eleven in LaLiga EA SPORTS

LaLiga has acquired one of the most valuable footballers globally, Kylian Mbappé, who is valued at €180 million. He joins an elite group alongside Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, who also have high market valuations.

Although Spanish clubs invest less in the transfer market compared to other European leagues, they still manage to attract top talent. Mbappé has joined Real Madrid at no transfer fee, and Atlético de Madrid are making headlines with the acquisitions of Julián Álvarez, Le Normand and Sørloth.

Mbappé joined Real Madrid from PSG.
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Mbappé joined Real Madrid from PSG.JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELADIARIO AS

LaLiga and the Premier League have long competed for the title of the best football competition in Europe. In Spain, the most valuable eleven players are worth a combined total of €1.123 billion, making it the second most valuable lineup.

Real Madrid dominate this lineup with six players: Militão, Tchouaméni, and Camavinga (who share the same valuation and position), along with Bellingham, Valverde, Vinícius, and Mbappé. Barcelona are represented by three players: Araújo, Balde, and Lamine Yamal. Atlético de Madrid and Valencia complete the eleven with Nahuel Molina and Mamardashvili, respectively.

PositionPlayerTeamValue ($)
GoalkeeperGiorgi MamardashviliValencia49 million
Centre-backRonald AraújoFC Barcelona77 million
Centre-backÉder MilitãoReal Madrid66 million
Left-backAlejandro BaldeFC Barcelona44 million
Right-backNahuel MolinaAtlético Madrid30 million
MidfielderTchouaméni/CamavingaReal Madrid110 million
MidfielderFede ValverdeReal Madrid132 million
Attacking midfielderJude BellinghamReal Madrid198 million
Left wingerVinicius Jr.Real Madrid198 million
Right wingerLamine YamalFC Barcelona132 million
StrikerKylian MbappéReal Madrid198 million

The most expensive XI in the Premier League

The financial power of English Premier League clubs is formidable. The English market is known for its substantial investment in strengthening squads, with many deals occurring within the league itself, creating a closed-loop system that facilitates the frequent movement of players.

Nevertheless, the “Big Six” teams continue to spend heavily on international talent, exemplified by Manchester United’s acquisitions of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt. Manchester City stand out as particularly dominant in the market, having recently confirmed the sale of Julián Álvarez for €75 million, plus an additional €10 million in performance-related add-ons.

Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland celebrates with the English FA Community Shield.
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Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland celebrates with the English FA Community Shield.JUSTIN TALLISAFP

Manchester City and Arsenal, the top two teams from the previous season, dominate the starting XI almost entirely, with the exception of the right-back position, which is filled by Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold. City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland shares the title of the world’s highest-rated player with Bellingham, Vinícius, and Mbappé. The Premier League’s starting XI is valued at €1.175 billion, making it the most expensive lineup.

PositionPlayerTeamValue ($)
GoalkeeperEdersonManchester City44 million
Centre-backWilliam SalibaArsenal88 million
Centre-backRúben DiasManchester City88 million
Left-backJosko GvardiolManchester City82 million
Right-backAlexander ArnoldLiverpool77 million
MidfielderRodriManchester City143 million
MidfielderDeclan RiceArsenal132 million
Attacking midfielderMartin ØdegaardArsenal121 million
Left wingerPhil FodenManchester City165 million
Right wingerBukayo SakaArsenal154 million
StrikerErling HaalandManchester City198 million

The most expensive XI in the Bundesliga

Bayern Munich’s decade-long dominance has been challenged by a Bayer Leverkusen side masterfully managed by Xabi Alonso. After securing eleven consecutive titles, Bayern have now seen their crown taken by the Spaniard and his side.

Two seasons ago, Borussia Dortmund came close to dethroning Bayern on the final matchday, but this year, the moment has finally arrived for Leverkusen. With 25 wins in 29 games, 4 draws, no defeats, and 79 points—16 ahead of both Bayern and Stuttgart—Leverkusen achieved a perfect season.

Bayer Leverkusen's Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso celebrates with the trophy after winning the DFB-Pokal.
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Bayer Leverkusen's Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso celebrates with the trophy after winning the DFB-Pokal.JOHN MACDOUGALLAFP

This achievement has led to Bayern Munich losing ground in the Bundesliga’s most valuable starting eleven. For eleven years, this lineup has been dominated by players from the champions, but this year sees more variety.

Despite this shift, six players from Kompany’s team still make the list: Kobel from Borussia Dortmund; Tapsoba, Frimpong, and Wirtz from Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen; and Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. The Bundesliga’s most valuable starting eleven is now worth €815 million.

PositionPlayerTeamValue ($)
GoalkeeperGregor KobelBorussia Dortmund44 million
Centre-backEdmond TapsobaBayer Leverkusen50 million
Centre-backMatthijs De LigtBayern Munich71 million
Left-backAlphonso DaviesBayern Munich55 million
Right-backJeremie FrimpongBayer Leverkusen55 million
MidfielderPalhinhaBayern Munich60 million
Attacking midfielderFlorian WirtzBayer Leverkusen143 million
Attacking midfielderJamal MusialaBayern Munich143 million
Left wingerXavi SimonsRB Leipzig88 million
Right wingerLeroy SanéBayern Munich77 million
StrikerHarry KaneBayern Munich110 million

The most expensive XI in Serie A

The Italian league has seen a shift in dominance and is currently experiencing a period of intense competition for top spot. Juventus previously led the race, winning nine consecutive titles from the 2011-12 season to the 2019-20 season. Inter Milan ended that streak in the 2020-21 season, and since then, Milan, Napoli, and Inter have each claimed the title.

This heightened competitiveness means no single team dominates the starting eleven. Instead, the lineup features players from six different clubs: three from Milan, three from Inter, two from Juventus, and one each from Fiorentina, Atalanta, and Napoli.

Lautaro Martínez: ¿Mbappé, Haaland y Kane? No tengo nada que envidiarles
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Lautaro Martínez stands out as the marquee forward in Serie A.Alessandro GarofaloREUTERS

Inter Milan star Lautaro Martínez, who won the World Cup with Argentina, is the player with the highest market value in Serie A. His valuation of €110 million surpasses the €100 million mark that Victor Osimhen managed last season. The combined value of the eleven most expensive players in Serie A is €675 million.

PositionPlayerTeamValue ($)
GoalkeeperMike MaignanAC Milan41 million
Centre-backBremerJuventus66 million
Centre-backAlessandro BastoniInter Milan77 million
Left-backTheo HernándezAC Milan66 million
Right-backMichael KayodeFiorentina27 million
MidfielderDouglas LuizJuventus77 million
MidfielderNicolò BarellaInter Milan88 million
Attacking midfielderTeun KoopmeinersAtalanta55 million
Left wingerRafa LeãoAC Milan99 million
StrikerLautaro MartinezInter Milan121 million
StrikerVictor OshimenSSC Napoli110 million

The most expensive XI in Ligue 1

The French league is currently undergoing a period of talent exodus. PSG has seen the departure of all their stars, including Messi, Neymar, and, most recently, Mbappé, who moved to Real Madrid this summer.

Despite these losses, PSG still dominates the lineup of the most valuable players, with ten of the top positions held by their former players. The only exception is Jonathan David from Lille, who remains in the lineup.

Warren Zaire-Emery celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Montpellier at the Parc des Princes.
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Warren Zaire-Emery celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Montpellier at the Parc des Princes.FRANCK FIFEAFP

The loss of talent has resulted in no player in Ligue 1 being valued at more than €100 million, with Zaïre Emery and Achraf Hakimi being the most valuable players at €60 million each. Consequently, Ligue 1 now has the lowest-valued starting eleven among the five major European leagues, with a total value of €570 million.

PositionPlayerTeamValue
GoalkeeperGianluigi DonnarummaParis Saint-Germain FC44 million
Centre-backMarquinhosParis Saint-Germain FC55 million
Centre-backWillian PachoParis Saint-Germain FC38 million
Left-backNuno MendesParis Saint-Germain FC60 million
Right-backAchraf HakimiParis Saint-Germain FC66 million
MidfielderJoão NevesParis Saint-Germain FC55 million
MidfielderVitinhaParis Saint-Germain FC60 million
MidfielderZaïre EmeryParis Saint-Germain FC66 million
Left wingerBradley BarcolaParis Saint-Germain FC55 million
Right wingerOusmané DembéléParis Saint-Germain FC66 million
StrikerJonathan DavidLOSC Lille55 million
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