Football is crazy. Those who've seen it over the years, know it. Everything in the sport has a tinge of insanity in it. One of those many things include the monetary funds that are involved in football, and the numbers are staggering. We look at the 15 most valuable players in the world of football.
They've been ranked on the basis of recent performances, player stature, and their current club's financial situation. The issue of player rights has been ignored in this ranking.
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#15 Paulo Dybala (Juventus) - €60 million
The fee of a 60 million euros sounds very modest for one of the brightest young prospects in world football. The Juventus attacker’s valuation grows with every passing day, however. An eye for goal, combined with sublime creativity, the former Palermo man is the one who has come closest to resembling Lionel Messi in terms of style.
It'll be very surprising if he doesn't double his value in half a decade.
#14 Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) - €65 million
Arguably the best striker in the Premier League ever since he stepped on English soil, El Kun is one of the rare forwards who has pace, trickery, and world-class goalscoring ability in his arsenal, thereby drawing comparisons with Rivaldo.
His scoring rate for Manchester City is somewhat unbelievable, and the fact that he could get even more deadly is truly baffling. Now in his prime, that valuation is unlikely to increase, but Agüero has played his part, and has written his name in modern football history.
#13 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund) - €65 million
The top scorer in the Bundesliga this season, Aubameyang has had the ability to take on Robert Lewandowski, and he has been rewarded for his persistence. Sometimes wasteful in front of goal, Aubameyang is a tricky customer nonetheless.
He can run rings around defenders with his pace, and his well-timed runs and create chances out of nothing. One of the best goalscorers on the planet right now, the Gabonese has been valued at a sum that every big club would be willing to spend on him, and Dortmund equally willing to reject it.
#12 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) - €68 million
Alexis Sanchez is a modern-day godfather, well and truly. A player who made the top 5 of both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League this season, should be worth a fortune, and the valuation should be peanuts for the big boys in football.
Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, peanuts is what might take Sanchez away from the Emirates, as Bayern Munich and Manchester City are reportedly salivating at the thought of Sanchez wearing their colours.
#11 Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus) - €70 million
Perhaps it'll come as a bit of a surprise to see Higuain ahead of the players that have featured before, but the Argentine is a master in what he does, and his performance this season have rightly sky-rocketed his value.
Juventus paid a handsome fee to lure him away from Napoli, much to the dismay of the fans of the club. However, Higuain hasn't looked back at the controversial transfer, neither has he looked back at the unimpressive performances in the World Cup and Copa America finals. Instead, he has been banging goals left, right, and centre for the Old Lady, as they look to secure a glorious treble.
#10 Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - €80 million
Paul Pogba has had his critics at Manchester United this season, having failed to live up to the image he created during his time at Juventus. However, he has, at times, shown glimpses of his calibre, and will surely see his value increase as he plays further.
A supreme midfielder at his best, Pogba carries a charisma which is hard to ignore, which is why his demand is high amongst the big brands too. His value will surely jump up, as he finds some consistency.
#9 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - €80 million
The top assist maker in the Premier League this season with 18, de Bruyne continues to prove that he's in a league of his own. A brilliant all-round performer, the former Chelsea man is probably the best crosser of the ball the world has seen in a long, long time.
His vision, through passes, and ability to score from distance make him a certified gem, and Manchester City are very lucky to have him in their squad.
#8 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - €85 million
It is hard to fathom that Bayern Munich got Lewandowski for absolutely nothing. Entering the scene with Borussia Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski took the decision to move to Munich on a free transfer, and has gone on to become one of the best strikers in the world.
A consistent scorer, who has heaps of quality and technique in him, Lewandowski seems to have reached his personal summit, and it sure is very high. The Bavarians will hope that their Polish star can continue to do what he does best - score a lot of goals.
#7 Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) - €85 million
From Alsace to Atletico, Antoine Griezmann's tale has been a success story which he'll look back to with pride. A forward of immense flair, Griezmann has proved that he scores for fun, and does so when his team needs him to. Has been unlucky to miss out on so many prestigious trophies having made it to the final, he just needs that little bit of luck on his side. A big-game player, Atletico will miss him if he does leave for Manchester United. Or given their recent past, they might not.
#6 Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) - €85 million
Once one of the most devastating inside-forwards in the world, Gareth Bale has been going downhill of late. He's nowhere near his usually high standards when he signed for Real Madrid, but he still remains a superstar who can tear apart defences at will.
Maybe a move away from the club will suit both parties, but he's a player who'd be tough to replace. The Welshman has also found huge success with the national team, collaborating with Aaron Ramsey, Hal Robson-Kanu, and others to take Wales to a respectable finish in the Euro 2016.
#5 Luis Suarez (FC Barcelona) - €90 million
He suddenly went from being brilliant to unbelievable, when he scored an astonishing 31 goals in the Premier League 13/14, nearly ending Liverpool’s title-wait. In the end, they fell just short, but Suarez hasn't stopped.
He has continued to score at an incredible rate for his current club Barcelona, winning the treble with them. Arguably the best striker in the world, the Uruguayan is simply brilliant to watch, and every club would love to have him up front.
#4 Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - €90 million
After a season where he was mocked for having gone 'invisible', Eden Hazard bounced back this season, silencing his doubters in the process.
Putting consistently good performances throughout the title-winning season with Chelsea, the Belgian has proved that his previous poor season was only a rough patch in an otherwise illustrious career so far, and he has so much more to achieve. It won't be a surprise to see him smile his way towards a €100+ million value in a year's time.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - €100 million
In a class of his own, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to leave his critics spellbound. Scoring when it matters, Ronaldo has notched up 11 strikes in 4 games against Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Truly insane, and at the age of 32, that feat sounds only more special. Having a valuation of a €100 million for a 32-year-old is a frightening statistic, and it lives up to Cristiano's standards, who's a frighteningly good player.
#2 Neymar Jr. (FC Barcelona) - €105 million
He continues to justify his image as the poster boy of Brazilian football right now, and the man who is expected to carry forward the Barcelona legacy from Lionel Messi. His goal tally at such a young age is so astounding, you'd have to check thrice to believe it.
Neymar is a forward who has breathtaking pace and equally good ability in the ball. When the two are combined, what we see is a future Balon d'Or winner. It really is inevitable.
#1 Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) - €120 million
Hey, he's still only 29, you know. Probably the greatest footballer ever to play the game, Lionel Messi is a different thing altogether. In a nutshell, Messi is priceless. A five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi must feel he should've had his sixth by now, and also a long-awaited international trophy. But it wasn't to be. He continues yet again on his glorious journey, reaching heights we never knew existed. It is no surprise at all to see Leo at the summit of this list too, as is the case in almost every other list.
Do you agree with the rankings? Do you feel we've missed out on someone? Let us know what you think, by sharing your views via the comment section.
