Top 10 most valuable footballers: 4 LaLiga stars feature as no signs of Messi nor Ronaldo

@CIES_Football – the famous Official account of the research group – football.observatory@cies.ch Facebook has just announced the list of the most valuable footballers.  

The report is dated the 1st of June, 2022. The variables considered by the Top 10 most valuable footballers from the CIES are plurals, such as contract length, age, and contribution (goals for strikers, clearance or tackles for defenders, saves for keepers…). That’s why in this list, names like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo are missing. As their peak has passed and the ages keep on going up, it’s hard to see either the pair who have in total 12 Ballon d’Or in the top 20, not to mention the top 10.  

Let’s take a look at the current top 10 most valuable footballers by CIES: 

  1. Kylian Mbappe (23 years old) (PSG): 205M euro 
  2. Vinicius Jr (21 years old) (Real Madrid): 185M euro 
  3. Erling Haaland (21 years old) (Man City): 152.6M euro 
  4. Pedri Gonzalez (19 years old) (Barcelona): 135.1M euro 
  5. Jude Bellingham (18 years old) (Dortmund): 133.7M euro 
  6. Phil Foden (22 years old) (Man City): 124M euro 
  7. Frenkie de Jong (25 years old) (Barcelona): 112.5M euro 
  8. Luis Diaz (25 years old) (Liverpool): 110M euro 
  9. Ruben Diaz (25 years old) (Man City): 109.6M euro 
  10. Ferran Torres (22 years old) (Barcelona): 109.5M euro 

 The former Golden Boy Mbappe tops the list, alongside with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and new Man City’s signing Haaland to make the most valuable trio. 

The Paris’ club’s icon had 60 goals involvements in the 2021/22 season (30 goals, 21 assists) and somewhat over-shine Lionel Messi and Neymar. 

4 La Liga feature in the list

The Brazilian Vinicius Jr. had one of his most successful seasons with Real Madrid, wining the double as Los Blancos sealed the 35th La Liga’s trophy and 14th Champions League’s. The winger also ranked in the top 10 best scorers of La Liga and had the decisive goal beating Liverpool in the Champions League final. 

It’s heartbroken for Madrid’s fans as they wished to see Mbappe join Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema in the attacking trio. The French forward refused in the very last day of negotiation, as he wanted to stay in Paris and became the most powerful player in the club, or maybe, in the history of football. 

While Vini is the only Madrid’s player in the list by CIES, there are 3 Barcelona players, which make it the total 4 LaLiga stars to feature

Ranking at #4 is Pedri, the youngster and the gem of the Catalan club, at 135.1M euro. Frenkie de Jong, who is rumored to leave Barca this Summer, is valued at 112.5M euro, at #7. And Ferran Torres, Barca’s signing from Man City, is at #10, valued at 109.5M euro. 

Frenkie de Jong during the match between FC Barcelona and FC Dynamo Kyiv, corresponding to the week 4 of the UEFA Champions League, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, on 04th November 2020, in Barcelona, Spain. — (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The new faces

It’s easy to understand why names like Jude Bellingham or Luis Diaz are up there on the list. The Dortmund’s star and England’s newly-called up performed excellently in all competitions that he played, which he always delivered. According to Whoscored, the 18-year-old midfielder either assisted or scored in Bundesliga, Europa League and Champions League, season 2021/22. 

Meanwhile, Luis Diaz played a key element in Liverpool’s double-cup winning season as they grabbed FA Cup and League Cup (Carabao).