Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and the 16 most valuable footballers in the world in 2023

Arsenal and Manchester City are among the big-name clubs that boast some of the most valuable players in world football.

But Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham don’t have a single player in the list of the 16 most valuable footballers.

Real Madrid dominate the list with four representatives, while players from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and Napoli also make the cut.

Using Transfermarkt’s valuations, we’ve taken a look at the 16 most valuable footballers in the world in 2023.

16= Rodri – €100m

Since joining Manchester City in the summer of 2019, Rodri has become one of the most important players in Pep Guardiola’s side.

The 27-year-old played an integral role in their treble-winning campaign last season and scored the winning goal in the Champions League final.

“Right now, yeah, he is the best [midfielder],” Guardiola said. “Hopefully he can be better and improve but he is an extraordinary holding midfielder.”

16= Declan Rice – €100m

Alongside Rodri, Rice is currently the joint-most valuable defensive midfielder in the world.

He was the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between Manchester City and Arsenal in the summer, but the Gunners won the race for his signature when a €116.6million bid was accepted by West Ham United.

The 24-year-old has made a strong start to life at the Emirates and is reportedly viewed as a future Arsenal captain by Mikel Arteta.

16= Rodrygo – €100m

A few eyebrows were raised in 2018 when Real Madrid forked out €45million for Rodrygo, who was just 17 years old at the time.

But it proved to be a great investment as the Brazil international is now regarded as one of the best young players in the world, and he is valued at €100million.

The 22-year-old has already won eight trophies with Madrid and recently signed a new contract, extending his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2029.

16= Lautaro Martinez – €100m

Martinez joined Inter Milan from Racing Club in a €25million deal in the summer of 2018 and is now worth four times his original transfer fee.

The 26-year-old striker – who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina – has been in the form of his life in 2023/24 and currently leads the race for the Serie A Golden Boot.

Despite their financial issues, Inter have no plans to cash in on their prized asset and are looking to give him a new long-term contract.

16= Florian Wirtz – €100m

A Bayer Leverkusen academy graduate, Wirtz had a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in March 2022.

But the 20-year-old returned to full fitness in January 2023 and has made a brilliant start to the current campaign, helping Xabi Alonso’s side go top of the Bundesliga.

His impressive performances have caught the attention of Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, but reports in Germany claim that Leverkusen will only entertain bids that exceed his current market value.

16= Federico Valverde – €100m

Valverde joined Real Madrid from Uruguayan side Penarol in a €5million deal in 2016 and initially turned out for Castilla, the club’s reserve team.

The versatile midfielder has since become an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s team due to his tireless work rate and selfless attitude.

He has been linked with a number of Premier League sides, but he recently put pen to paper on a new contract that commits him to Madrid until the summer of 2029.

16= Pedri – €100m

After joining Barcelona for just €5million in the summer of 2020, Pedri enjoyed a sensational debut season at Camp Nou and was rewarded with the Golden Boy Award and the Kopa Trophy in 2021.

The 21-year-old midfielder has now made over 100 first-team appearances for Barcelona and has also represented Spain in two major tournaments.

“He reminds me a lot of Andres Iniesta,” Xavi said. “If we’re talking about pure talent, Pedri is the best [prospect] in the world. He is a wonderful player. I haven’t seen many talents like him.”

9= Phil Foden – €110m

One of four England internationals on this list, Foden came through Manchester City’s academy and made his first-team debut at the age of 17.

He has gone from strength to strength under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, developing into one of the world’s most exciting young talents.

The 23-year-old already boasts a remarkable trophy haul, having won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and two PFA Young Player of the Year awards.

9= Jamal Musiala – €110m

Bayern Munich pulled off a sensational coup when they signed a 16-year-old Musiala from Chelsea for a mere €200,000 in the summer of 2019.

He’s since become a key player for Bayern, making over 140 first-team appearances and scoring the goal that secured their 11th consecutive Bundesliga title in 2022/23.

The 20-year-old – who chose to play for Germany after representing England at Under-21 level – is currently worth €110million and his market value is expected to carry on rising in the next few years.

9= Harry Kane – €110m

The oldest player on this list, Kane celebrated his 30th birthday earlier this year but is showing no sign of slowing down.

He swapped Tottenham for Bayern Munich in the summer in a deal worth an initial €100million and another €20million in potential bonuses.

The England international has hit the ground running in Germany and is the top goalscorer in Europe’s top five leagues in 2023/24.

6= Victor Osimhen – €120m

Osimhen inspired Napoli to a historic Serie A title in the 2022/23 campaign and established himself as one of the best strikers in the world.

The Nigeria international is now valued at €120million, making him the most valuable Serie A player since Transfermarkt introduced market values in 2004.

According to Sky Sport Italia, he has agreed to sign a new contract at the Stadio Maradona and it will include a €130million release clause.

6= Bukayo Saka – €120m

An Arsenal academy graduate, Saka made his senior debut in November 2018 and has become a talismanic figure for the Gunners.

The 23-year-old winger enjoyed his best-ever individual campaign in 2022/23, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award and the England Men’s Player of the Year award.

He’s under contract until 2027 and his market value is currently €120million, although it would take much more than that to prize him away from the Emirates.

4= Vinicius Junior – €150m

Since joining Real Madrid from Flamengo in a €46million deal in 2018, Vinicius Jr has blossomed into one of the most dangerous and explosive wingers on the planet.

He’s played a key role in Madrid’s recent success, scoring the winning goal in their 2022 Champions League final before netting a brace against Al-Hilal in the 2022 Club World Cup final.

The Brazil international recently signed a new long-term contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, which includes a €1billion release clause.

4= Jude Bellingham – €150m

The youngest player on this list, Bellingham starred for Borussia Dortmund in the 2022/23 season and picked up the prestigious Golden Boy award.

Real Madrid won the race for his signature in the summer, paying Dortmund an initial €103million and another €30million in potential add-ons.

The 20-year-old midfielder has enjoyed a sensational start to his Madrid career and his market value has risen by €30million in the last six months.

According to ESPN, Madrid believe that the €133million deal should be viewed as a bargain due to his instant impact and long-term potential.

1= Kylian Mbappe – €180m

The second-most expensive player of all time, Mbappe left Monaco and joined Paris Saint-Germain in a €180million deal in 2017.

He’s more than justified that price tag, scoring over 200 goals in all competitions while winning five Ligue 1 titles and a host of individual awards.

Despite being valued at €180million by Transfermarkt, the France international could be available on a free transfer in 2024 as he is refusing to sign a new contract with PSG.

Sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk that a number of clubs are considering a swoop for Mbappe, including Liverpool and Real Madrid.

1= Erling Haaland – €180m

Haaland joined Manchester City in a €60million deal in 2022 and enjoyed a record-breaking debut season, scoring 52 goals in all competitions as City won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

The Norway international has unsurprisingly attracted interest from Real Madrid and TEAMtalk recently revealed that City are trying to tie him down to a new contract.

His current deal reportedly includes a €200million release clause that can be activated in 2025 but his agent believes he’s worth a lot more than that.

“Erling Haaland is worth €1billion,” Rafaela Pimenta told Telefoot in February 2023. “That’s not a guess, I’m sure of it.

“They might say I’m being ridiculous, that a club is not going to pay a billion, but his age, his quality, his progression and the way he behaves is why I talk about a billion. The future is unknown but it’s coming.”

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