According to one of the world’s leading audit and advisory companies, KPMG Football Benchmark, Kylian Mbappe is the most valuable player in the game with a current market value estimated to be €225 million, beating off competition from Neymar, Messi and Hazard, while Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t even make the top 10.
With the 2020 winter transfer period approaching, the KPMG Football Benchmark team have released their updated players’ market value estimates, and although he’s still only 21, Paris Saint-Germain’s superstar, Kylian Mbappe has taken top spot. Football Benchmark is an interactive platform that provides in-depth understanding and analysis of the business side of football, and they support those active in the sports sector who are making critical decisions related to it.
While the statistics favour youth, the market value estimates provided are only comparable to fixed transfer fees and do not take into account performance-based bonuses that could be part of a potential player transfer fee. Both of those combined would indicate part of the reason why Ronaldo does not appear in the top 10. Still got to ask the question though, right?
Mbappe's star is massively on the rise, and having only just turned 21, Nike have launched his first signature line. The Swoosh clearly see him as the man for the future, positioning him front and centre as some of their other stars' influence fades. Mbappe's position, coupled with his age and influence, have all led to his huge market value – an estimated fee that would rise significantly were he to move to Real Madrid.
Of the top 15 players, eight of them play in the EPL, four in LaLiga, two in Ligue 1 and one in the German Bundesliga. By nationality, four of them are English, three are French, two are from Belgium and the Netherlands, respectively, and there is one player each from Brazil, Argentina, Egypt and Senegal. Interestingly, there is no Spanish, German or Italian footballer among them – actually the player with the highest market value from Germany is Leroy Sané, who is 24th in this ranking with a value of EUR 90m, Spain’s top player is Saúl Ñíguez (33rd with a value of EUR 84m), while the most valuable Italian player is Jorginho (62nd at EUR 62m).
KPMG's top 10 most valuable football players list:
1) Kylian Mbappe €225 million
2) Neymar €185 million
3) Lionel Messi €180 million
4) Eden Hazard €152 million
5) Raheem Sterling €150 million
6) Mohamed Salah €150 million
7) Harry Kane €140 million
8) Sadio Mane €130 million
9) Kevin De Bruyne €130 million
10) Antoine Griezmann €125 million
Head to football benchmark.com to see more.
