Ranking of the 10 most valuable players of today: surprising first place, Haaland only third

The CIES Football Observatory has updated its ranking of the most valuable footballers in the world, which is updated every six months. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior is at the top, with Phil Foden second and Erling Haaland third. What does the rest of the elite ten look like?

The CIES Football Observatory traditionally updates the list of the most valuable players in the world. Now another update has been released and together we can take a look at what the best players are currently worth.

The players’ values are calculated by a system created by CIES. This system evaluates the results using an exclusive econometric approach.

The most valuable goalkeeper in the world is Gianluigi Donnarumma, the most valuable central defender is Rúben Dias and the most valuable central defender is Alphonso Davies. Jude Bellingham is the most valuable defensive midfielder, while of the attacking midfielders it is Florian Wirtz, with Vinicius Junior dominating in attack.

Kevin de Bruyne is the most valuable player who is in the 30+ category. Kylian Mbappé is considered the highest value player whose contract expires this year.

Vinícius Junior
The Brazilian striker based at Real Madrid has rapidly improved his performances over the last few months. His value is now around 166 million euros and he is only 21 years old. He has signed a contract with the royal club until the end of June 2024.

Phil Foden
The second place goes to the young English star who is playing for Manchester City. Foden is 21 years old and his value is 152 million euros. Like Vinícius, the young Englishman’s contract expires at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Erling Haaland
He is a very hot acquisition in this January transfer window as several European giants are interested in him. The Borussia Dortmund player can therefore take his pick. However, it is not yet clear at which club his career will continue.

The Norwegian striker is still only 21 years old and is currently worth €142 million!

What does the rest of this ranking actually look like? The fourth position is occupied by Mason Greenwood, who currently plays for Manchester United. Greenwood’s current value is 134 million euros.

Fifth place is held by Bayer Leverkusen’s 18-year-old offensive midfielder Florian Wirtz. A potential suitor thus has to wait with a high margin, with up to 133 million euros. Only another three million cheaper is Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.

Alphonso Davies (Bayern, €122 million) follows, eighth on the list is Rúben Dias (Manchester City, €120 million), ninth on this list we see Pedri with a market value of €118 million and Frenkie de Jong rounds off the elite ten with €115 million.

Sources: CIES Football Observatory, Transfermarkt