Follow Spanish Immigration and Life in Spain: Next year’s World Cup in Brazil will feature 32 teams with a total of 732 players. Among these players, who has the highest market value? Fans would likely say either Messi or Ronaldo, and indeed, both have impressive valuations. After considering a range of factors, the Brazilian consulting firm PLURI concluded that Messi has the highest market value among the players participating in next year’s World Cup, followed closely by Ronaldo, with Brazil’s Neymar in third place.
After the 32 teams participating in the World Cup were confirmed, PLURI conducted a valuation assessment of the 732 players. According to the data, Messi’s market value is an astounding €139.6 million, ranking first, while Ronaldo follows in second place with €104.2 million. Messi has never transferred clubs, but his value and skill are widely recognized, whereas Ronaldo’s value has increased since his transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid. Neymar ranks third, having joined Barcelona this summer for €57 million, but his current market value has risen to €67.4 million. The combined market value of these three superstars reaches €311.2 million.
In this ranking, Cavani is fourth with a market value of €63 million, Falcao fifth with €59.1 million, Özil sixth with €54 million, Iniesta seventh with €53.7 million, Götze eighth with €48.4 million, Rooney ninth with €48.2 million, and Ribery tenth with €46.8 million. Among Barcelona players, Busquets ranks 17th with a market value of €43.2 million, and Fabregas 18th with €41.9 million. Of the 20 most valuable players, five are from Barcelona, while Real Madrid has only Ronaldo "fighting alone." It is disadvantageous for Real Madrid that this list only accounts for the market values of players participating in the World Cup, thus Bale, who set a record transfer fee of €100 million, is not included in the list.
In terms of national teams, Spain has the highest total market value among the World Cup teams, with a total player valuation of €185 million, followed by Argentina with €183 million and Germany with €149 million.
Top 20 Player Valuation Rankings for World Cup Participants
1. Messi, €139.6 million; 2. Ronaldo, €104.2 million; 3. Neymar, €67.4 million; 4. Cavani, €63 million; 5. Falcao, €59.1 million; 6. Özil, €54 million; 7. Iniesta, €53.7 million; 8. Götze, €48.4 million; 9. Rooney, €48.2 million; 10. Ribery, €46.8 million; 11. Müller, €46.6 million; 12. Hulk, €46.2 million; 13. Mata, €46.1 million; 14. Suarez, €44.8 million; 15. Hazard, €44.3 million; 16. Aguero, €43.7 million; 17. Busquets, €43.2 million; 18. Fabregas, €41.9 million; 19. Vidal, €41.7 million; 20. Van Persie, €40.3 million.
