5 most valuable players at Real Madrid currently

Real Madrid are one of the most storied clubs in the history of the game. They have won a record 34 La Liga and 13 Champions League titles, among others.

Considering their rich history and pedigree, many world-class players have turned out for the club over the years. Some of them are Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Raul Gonzalez, Sergio Ramos, Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo.

The same also holds true for the La Liga leaders' current crop of players. Despite the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ramos in the last few years, they still have multiple big-title winners in their ranks and a few exciting youngsters.

On that note, here's a look at the five most valuable Real Madrid players at the moment:

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#5 Eder Militao - €60 million

Eder Militao is a key player for Los Blancos

Eder Militao arrived at Real Madrid on a €50 million transfer from Porto in the summer of 2019. However, the Brazilian didn't hit the ground running.

It's only this season the 24-year-old has risen to prominence, following the departures of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the summer. Militao has emerged as a key player, making 30 appearances across competitions, almost as many as he did in his first two seasons at the club.

During this period, he has also doubled his goal tally for the club, scoring once apiece in La Liga and Copa del Rey.

Paying a glowing tribute to his young centre-back, who has struck a promising partnership with David Alaba, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said:

“Militao is more focused in the central position. He has the individual quality of a ‘supertop. He is very good with his head and is very strong in the one-on-one. With Alaba, what he has improved is the game with others in defence.”

Militao will look to continue his newfound resurgence and help the La Liga leaders win multiple titles this season.

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#4 Casemiro - €60 million

Casemiro has been a consistent performer for Los Blancos

Casemiro is one of the finest defensive midfielders in the game at the moment. Having spent almost a decade at the Santiago Bernabeu, the 29-year-old has racked up over 300 appearances for the club, bagging 30 goals and 28 assists.

The Brazilian, along with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, forms one of the most experienced midfield trios in club football. The trio were an integral part of Los Blancos' three consecutive Champions League-winning campaigns.

Although Casemiro has been linked with an exit from Real Madrid recently, he remains a key player under Carlo Ancelotti. The 29-year-old has played 30 times across competitions this season, bagging four assists (all in La Liga).

#3 Federico Valverde - €65 million

Federico Valverde has impressed with Los Blancos

Federico Valverde is one of the most promising players in the Real Madrid squad at the moment.

The 23-year-old has already racked up over 100 games for Los Blancos across competitions, contributing six goals and seven assists. He may make a lot of goal contributions, but has impressed with his prowess in the middle of the park.

Thanks to his versatility, the Uruguayan can be deployed anywhere across the middle third. He has also played a few games as a right-back.

It was Valverde's extra-time strike that sealed a five-goal Super Cup semi-final against Barcelona in Los Blancos' favour. Real Madrid went on to beat Athletic Bilbao in the final to win their first silverware of the season.

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#2 Thibaut Courtois - €65 million

Thibaut Courtois has had an excellent stint with Los Blancos

Thibaut Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in the game at the moment. The lanky Los Blancos custodian has enjoyed an excellent time with the club.

Since arriving from Chelsea in the summer of 2018, Courtois has been the undisputed number one at the Santiago Bernabeu. He recently made his 150th appearance across competitions for Los Blancos. In 159 games for the club, the former Blues goalkeeper has kept 64 clean sheets.

This season, Courtois has kept seven clean sheets in the league as Carlo Ancelotti's men find themselves top of the pile after 22 games. He has kept another four shutouts in the Champions League.

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#1 Vinicius Junior - €100 million

Vinicius Junior has been in rollicking form this season

Vinicius Junior has only recently begun to justify his lofty price tag - €45 million - which Real Madrid paid to Flamengo in the summer of 2018.

Touted as the next big thing in the game, Vinicius flattered to deceive for three seasons before truly coming into his own this campaign. With 15 goals across competitions, he has comfortably doubled his goal tally for the club, and has also chipped in with an impressive 11 assists.

Considering his staggering exploits this season, Real Madrid are contemplating a bumper contract extension for Vinicius to ward off potential suitors. At the moment, he is one of the lowest-paid players at the club.