10 most valuable players in Ligue 1 according to CIES (January 2022)

#8 Sofiane Diop - €46.7 million

Sofiane Diop is among Ligue 1’s most gifted midfielders.

Sofiane Diop is one of the most promising Ligue 1 midfielders. The Frenchman has represented his national team at youth level for the last four years. Despite the competition he will face to break into the senior team, Diop should earn his first cap pretty soon.

The Monaco youngster is the most valuable players at his club. That is largely due to his age and the length of his current contract. The 21-year-old is valued higher than his fellow teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.

Diop is capable of contributing with goals from midfield. He has netted thrice in nine appearances in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 campaign. In five games for the French U21 side, the pacey midfielder has bagged three goals.

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#7 Lucas Paqueta - €55 million

Lucas Paqueta has seven goals in the current Ligue 1 campaign.

Lucas Paqueta is valued at over €50 million. The Brazilian attacking midfielder swapped AC Milan for Lyon before the 2020-21 campaign. He has transformed his attacking gameplay since joining the seven-time Ligue 1 winners.

During his time with the Italian giants, Paqueta scored just one league goal in 37 games. In contrast, he already has 16 strikes under his belt in 48 appearances for Lyon. That has helped him earn him a place in the Brazilian squad.

The 24-year-old was one of the best players in Ligue 1 last season. He has been even more efficient this campaign, scoring seven goals so far. His exploits more than merit his current valuation estimated by CIES.

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#6 Neymar Jr - €56.1 million

Paris Saint Germain vs Lille OSC - Ligue 1 Uber Eats

Many fans would be surprised to see Neymar Jr so low on this list. That is largely down to his age and inconsistency. In the last few years, Neymar’s teammate Kylian Mbappe has been far more prolific than the Brazilian.

Neymar is often out with minor injuries. His importance to the team has slowly but surely decreased over the years. Since arriving at the club in the summer of 2017 on a world-record €222 million transfer, Neymar has played only 80 league games, scoring 59 times.

One wouldn’t even consider him the most prominent Brazilian player at the club anymore, given Marquinhos’ growing significance.

With a newer generation of superstars coming through, Neymar has to try and make the most of his prime years. Considering PSG spent €222 million to sign the 29-year-old to win the Champions League, the investment hasn’t been fruitful so far.

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#5 Marquinhos - €60.9 million

Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

PSG have certainly reaped massive dividends from the €31.4 million they shelled out for the services of Marquinhos. At the club for nearly nine years now, Marquinhos has turned into one of the best players in his position across Europe.

The Brazilian centre-back is quite versatile and can be deployed at right-back or in defensive midfield. The former Roma defender has become a leader at the back since Thiago Silva moved to Chelsea on a Bosman deal.

Marquinhos is virtually an ever-present for PSG. Not only is he the best Ligue 1 defender, but he also chips in with key goals. In over 200 games in the competition, he has scored 20 times, including thrice this campaign. PSG’s defensive frailties are often overlooked due to Marquinhos covering up for the mistakes of his defensive colleagues.