Erling Haaland tops the list as the world's most valuable footballer at $221M
Market prices for the best football players in the world reach astronomical amounts, but only one sits in the leader’s chair. According to the latest ranking from the website Transfermarkt.de, there has been a change in the number-one position. The value of the most expensive footballer is now estimated at $221 million.
8:12 AM EDT, October 2, 2024
Transfer fees and player values do not always match. However, clubs often pay exceedingly high amounts for the most valuable players. A prime example is the 2017 transfer of Brazilian Neymar from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. The Parisian team paid the Catalans $245 million, setting an all-time transfer record.
The most valuable players sometimes let their contracts expire to move to new clubs for free, as Kylian Mbappe did in 2024, transferring from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. A player’s valuation is influenced by several factors, including age, contract length, personal brand, and, most importantly, football skills.
The most popular website for valuing players is Transfermarkt.de, which provides information on player values from around the world. After the latest update of football players' market prices, we learned that the new most expensive footballer in the world is Norwegian forward from Manchester City, Erling Haaland.
Erling Haaland the new most expensive footballer in the world
The value of the 24-year-old striker for the Champions of England has increased by $21 million compared to the previous ranking. It was $200 million then, meaning his current value is $221 million. Haaland now surpasses three Real Madrid stars: Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham, who are valued at $200 million each.
Erling Haaland is only the second footballer in history to reach a valuation of $221 million. The first was the aforementioned Mbappe, who held the same value from December 2018 to April 2020.
Here is the ranking of the most expensive footballers in the world according to Transfermarkt.de:
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - $221 million
- Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham (all Real Madrid) - $200 million
- Phil Foden (Manchester City) - $166 million
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - $155 million
- Rodri (Manchester City), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), and Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) - $144 million
- Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), and Declan Rice (Arsenal) - $132 million
