Arguments about who the most expensive football player in the world is can easily be among the most common debates among football fans. While some discuss facts, others speculate. However, those who are conversant with football will mention names like Pogba, and Mbappe while ranking the most valuable stars.
In this blog, we are going to put a full stop to those arguments. Here, we, heralded by Kate Richardson, who has read and written much about football highlights, rank the most expensive footballers worldwide.
Continue reading to find out the top ten highest-paid football players for 2024 and beyond.
The Top 10 Most Expensive Players in the World
The top 10 most expensive players in the world ranked here:
Vinicius Junior – €200m
Brazilian Left winger Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid has proved to be a constant nuisance to defenders of competing teams. His electric speed, creativity, and finishing ability make him one of the most expensive football players.
He played in two Champions League and won both times, rounding up a total of 114 goals in his entire career. Sports bettors watch out for players like Vinicius and other top-ranked players to better understand team dynamics and how to stake their bets. Explore Lewis Constable’s latest works for in-depth sports and betting analysis.
Erling Haaland – €200m
Unstoppable Manchester City striker back at the top: Haaland is known for his clinical finishing and physical dominance, and his record-breaking start to the 2024/25 season cements his position as the most valuable player in the world.
Jude Bellingham – €180m
The English prodigy has taken La Liga by storm. Still only 21, he is an integral part of Real Madrid, and he has matured well beyond those years. Bellingham is renowned for his pace, dribbling, passing, and finishing, making him the third most expensive player worldwide.
Kylian Mbappe – €180m
French player Mbappe of the La Liga club Real Madrid is the fourth most valuable player in the world. In 2017, he signed a transfer worth €180 for Paris Saint-German. He was just 18.
After years of speculation in newspaper headlines, Mbappe finally made his way to Real Madrid. In June 2024, he signed a €15 million contract with Real Madrid for the next five years. He brings unstoppable pace and finishing, and he is marketable overall. Mbappe did bring in a nine-figure signing fee into Madrid.
Mbappe has won the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player, Most goals scored in World Cup final matches, and Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards, among others.
Lamine Yamal – €150m
We cannot highlight the names of the most expensive players without including Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old Barcelona rising star. His creativity, calmness, dribbling, passing, and crossing, among other skills, make him a valuable star on the pitch.
He is currently the right-winger for La Liga Club Barcelona and the Spanish national team, and he qualifies as one of the best young footballers globally.
Phil Foden – €150m
The sixth most expensive player is Phil Foden of Manchester City. Currently 24, he has won 17 trophies, including the Premier League Player of the Season, Men’s FWA Footballer of the Year, and Professional Footballer’s Association Men’s Player of the Year award.
Here’s what Manchester City’s Rodrigo Henandez Cascante said about Foden: “I’m so, so happy about Phil. He’s a perfect kid but a timid kid. For me, he can be the best English player in history when he finishes his career. He needs to keep the level up in his game; already, he’s one of the best players in the league and Europe. I think he could get even better. The quality, ambition, and hard work he has every day listening to older adults like me is very important. He was outstanding last season, and it’s the first season I’ve seen him carrying the team on his back.”
Bukayo Saka – €140m
Arsenal’s right winger Bukayo Saka is an outstanding player for many reasons.
In 2020, the Arsenal U16 coach Trevor Bumstead said: “Bukayo always stood out in the younger teams. He was a fantastic decision-maker. He knew when to beat people and when to pass, as well as having brilliant physical attributes and excellent character and personality.”
Bukayo is the first 23-year-old to play in a Premier League Match. He has also represented England at the Youth level many times, been named Arsenal’s Player of the Season, and participated in the FIFA World Cup.
Despite being attractive to several football clubs, Saka chose to renew his contract with Arsenal until 2027 in a deal worth £15 million per year. His performances for club and country have been top-notch, and his value increases by the day.
Florian Wirtz – €130m
German professional footballer Florian Wirtz is another highly valuable. He holds a strong position as an attacking midfielder for Bundesliga Club Bayer Leverkusen. He has scored a total of 52 goals in his entire career.
Aside from outstanding skills on the field, Wirtz was the youngest player to score a goal in Bundesliga history, a record he broke at age 17.
Jamal Musiala – €130m
Bayern Munich’s Musiala is a 21-year-old footballer with compelling skills and abilities. Currently an attacking midfielder, this player’s impressive talent has landed him a spot as the 10th most valuable player in the world. His market value is €130.
Rodri – €130m
Rodrigo Henandez Cascante of Manchester City is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world. He has played crucial roles in Manchester City, reaping a treble in the 2022-2023 season. He also scored the winning goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Conclusion: Who is the Most Expensive Football Player in the World
The valuations of these stars depend on factors like their age and potential. The younger ones, like Bellingham and Yamal, are more expensive because they have longer careers ahead.
Commercial marketability is also a big deal, as players like Mbappe and Saka are cash cows.
Additionally, their skills and potential, as well as their market impact, play a significant role in determining the value of the most expensive players in the world.
