Football Observatory CIES has released their latest study, revealing world football's most valuable players in probably the most interesting time. Using their algorithm, they compiled a list of the footballers with the highest estimated transfer values, which makes for a good read, given the financial crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
French sensation Kylian Mbappe took the top spot, which should not come as a huge surprise. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the 2018 World Cup winner is still valued at a hefty €259.2M, which translates to $292.5M. The 21-year-old, who has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool, commands a staggering price for obvious reasons: despite his stardom, he is still a young player with his greatest years ahead of him and is under contract at PSG until 2023.
Mbappe is the only non-English player in the top five, with positions two to five going to Three Lions aces. In second is Man City star Raheem Sterling at €194.7M ($219.4M), with Jadon Sancho and Trent Alexander-Arnold, two of England's hottest players, coming in at third and fourth with valuations of €179.1M ($201.9M) and €171.1M ($192.9M) respectively. Marcus Rashford completes the top five at €152.3M ($171.7M)
Premier League is the most represented league in the top 10, grabbing six spots in total – the Bundesliga clinched two while La Liga and Ligue 1 earned a spot each. Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah (€144.9M/$163.3M) and Sadio Mane (€139.2M/$156.9M) came in at sixth and seventh respectively while Harry Kane (10th) at €118.7M ($133.7M) is the English top-flight's sixth and final player in the top 10. Meanwhile, ninth-placed Bayern Munich sensation Alphonso Davies (€133.5M/$150.5M) is the youngest player in the top 20 at the age of 19.
Barcelona icon Lionel Messi has seen his value drop for obvious reasons, given his age – he will turn 33 later this month – and the fact that he has only one year remaining on his Camp Nou contract. The Argentine ranks 21st with an estimated value of €100.1M ($112.8M). Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, is the oldest player in the top 100, coming in at the 70th spot with an estimated value of €62.8M ($70.8M). The most expensive goalkeeper and defender as per this list are Man City's Ederson (€86.8M/$97.9M) and Matthijs de Ligt (€104.7M/$118M) – Alexander-Arnold tops the fullbacks list, which is a separate category for CIES. Check out the top 10 below.
