Who are the most valuable footballers in the world?

Almost gone are the days of Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo, and you may be glad to see the back of that rivalry if it does ever come to an end.

Being at the very top - the top of the elite - means there will be huge sums of money involved. Clubs around the world have been hit for several reasons in recent seasons - one being covid-19 - and continue to look for smarter deals in the transfer windows.

But at the very, very top, there are those stars who come with massive fees. Manchester City somehow ‘only’ paid €60m for Erling Haaland last summer when he joined from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. Haaland is now worth €170m, according to Transfermarkt. That was indeed a very shrewd piece of business.

Mbappé top

Ahead of Haaland as number one in the world for being the most valuable player in the world, is PSG forward Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman is currently valued at €180m, €20m less than the reported €200m that Real Madrid offered to the French side for the 2018 World Cup winner, even though he would have later been available as a free agent.

Maybe it’s fair to say that Haaland and Mbappé are the new Messi and Ronaldo: they are the top two most valuable players in the world right now. In third place is Madrid forward Vinícius, whose Transfermarkt valuation is currently set at €120m.

Carlo Ancelotti said recently that he believes Vinícius is the best player in the world. His price is a far bit below the top two but is still well over the €100m mark.

Saka’s stock rises

Three extremely talented individuals come in just behind the top three. Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden are all valued at €110m. Saka’s form for Arsenal - helping to guide them to the top of the Premier League - has seen his stock rise.

Bellingham looks set for a move away from Dortmund and his performances for club and country see him deservedly sit among the big hitters. Foden has been in and out of the Manchester City side but is no doubt a superb footballer, who can open up defences with his passing and also boost Pep Guardiola’s attack with goals.