Who is the most valuable football player in the world?
Erling Haaland’s incredible 2022/23 season has seen him become the most valuable player in world football.
According to a statistical model created by the CIES Football Observatory – which takes into account variables such as a player’s age, contract length, position and, of course, performance – the Manchester City striker is worth an estimated transfer value of €245m (£210m).
That’s almost €50m (£42.7m) more than his nearest competitor.
Haaland striker joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in May 2022 after the Premier League club activated his €60m (£51.2m) release clause, and an incredible first season in England has seen his value rise dramatically.
The Norwegian scored 36 goals in 35 Premier League matches, breaking the record for the most prolific season in the competition’s history and helping City earn just the second treble in the history of English football.
Haaland has cemented his place as one of the best players in the world at the age of just 22, and his presence is one of the main reasons that City are once again overwhelming favourites in the Premier League betting to win the title again next season.
With four years remaining on the contract he signed last summer, it’s no surprise to see Haaland come out on top as football’s most valuable star.
Top 10 most valuable football players in the world
1. Erling Haaland - Manchester City - £209m
2. Vinicius Junior - Real Madrid - £167.8m
3. Bukayo Saka - Arsenal - £167.3m
4. Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund - £162.5m
5. Rodrygo - Real Madrid - £157.7m
6. Pedri - Barcelona - £152.1m
7. Gavi - Barcelona - £148.8m
8. Jamal Musiala - Bayern Munich - £145.5m
9. Phil Foden - Manchester City - £142.5m
10. Kylian Mbappe - Paris St-Germain - £139.5m
Haaland is well clear of the pack, but plenty of other young stars make up the rest of the top 10.
In second place is Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid, who is worth an estimated €196.3m (£167.8m). The 22-year-old Brazilian bagged 23 goals in all competitions this season and helped his side finish second in La Liga and win the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid are currently third favourites in the football betting for next season's Champions League.
Just behind him is Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, with an estimated value of €195.8m (£167.8m). The 21-year-old Englishman scored 15 goals and added 11 assists for his club in 2022/23, and has just signed a new contract to keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2027.
Next is Saka’s England team-mate Jude Bellingham, followed by Real Madrid’s other star winger - another Brazilian player - Rodrygo.
Barcelona's Spanish duo of Pedri and Gavi, Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Phil Foden of Manchester City and PSG talisman Kylian Mbappe round out the rest of the top 10.
Who is the most valuable goalkeeper in the world?
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is the most valuable goalkeeper in world football.
The English shot-stopper has an estimated transfer value of €78.6m (£67.1m), according to CIES, after he helped the Gunners to a second-place finish in the Premier League in 2022/23. Ramsdale signed a new contract at Arsenal in May 2023.
Ramsdale is just ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is valued at €75.3m (£64.4m) and is under contract at PSG until summer 2026.
Making up the rest of the top five most valuable goalkeepers in the world are Alisson, Diogo Costa and Ederson.
Who is the most valuable defender in the world?
Josko Gvardiol is the most valuable defender in the world.
The RB Leipzig centre-back is valued at €114.9m (£98.2m) by CIES and is rumoured to be of interest to Premier League clubs Manchester City and Chelsea. He’s just 21 years of age and has four years remaining on his contract with the Bundesliga club.
Behind Gvardiol is Real Madrid’s Eder Militao, currently valued at €108.4m (£92.6m). The 25-year-old Brazilian won the Champions League in 2022 and has made over 50 appearances for Los Blancos in each of the past two seasons.
Benfica’s Antonio Silva is next at €89.5m (£76.5m), and is the most valuable player to play for a club outside of the top five European leagues. He’s just 19 years of age and has four years left on his contract.
Manchester City’s Ruben Dias and Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo round out the top five.