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Footballers are transferred for ridiculously high amounts of money these days. Whether it be Neymar's and Mbappe's incredible transfers to PSG or Barcelona's big money acquisition of Ousmane Dembele, football clubs are forking out huge amounts of money to get the player they want.
However, some times the transfer fee might be well above or well below their actual market valuations. Our friends at Transfermarkt have crunched the numbers and come up with the most valuable XI based on market value at the moment.
La Liga as always dominates the list, but only 2 players out of the fabulous 4 of Ronaldo, Messi, Suarez, and Griezmann make it. Without much ado, let us take a look at the most valuable XI in world football at the moment:
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Formation: 4-3-3
Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) - Goalkeeper: £40 million
In the last few seasons, Atletico Madrid have always had some outstanding young goalkeepers. After David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois, 24-year-old Slovenian youngster Jan Oblak has been turning heads with his stunning shot-stopping skills for Los Rojiblancos.
Winner of the prestigious Ricardo Zamora trophy (best goalkeeper award) for two seasons running, Oblak has displayed tremendous powers of concentration, reflexes, and ability to command the box over the last two seasons.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side are renowned for being defensively sound, and Oblak as the goalkeeper has played a huge role in cementing Atletico Madrid’s place among the elite both in La Liga and Champions League.
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) - Right-back: £32 million
One of the few players to have successfully made the transition from the youth team to the first team, Carvajal has slowly made the right back position his own at Los Blancos. Showing tremendous pace and fitness, Carvajal is never shy of going forward and provides Real Madrid with a good outlet on the right side flank while attacking.
One of Zidane’s most trusted players in this squad, Carvajal has time and again shown his worth in crunch situations. With Zidane giving his full-backs the license to send early crosses into the box, Carvajal has shown that he does not lack technical quality and skill and created an incredible 35 goalscoring chances last season.
Still only 25, the Real Madrid right-back will be hoping to continue his good performances and cement his position as one of the best right-backs in world football at the moment.
Leonardo Bonucci (AC Milan) – Centre-back: £45 million
One of the best centre-backs in the world at the moment, Leonardo Bonucci joined AC Milan in the summer transfer window and is already captain of the legendary Serie A side. A ball playing centre-back, Bonucci is primarily known for his technique, passing range and ability to launch attacks with his accurate long passes.
Currently 30, Bonucci is at the peak of his career and his ability to read play has been appreciated by all the top managers across the world. His defensive skill, as well as his passing ability and vision, has seen his playing style being compared to legendary German star Beckenbauer.
A born leader and having an incredible will to win, Bonucci is the undoubted star of this AC Milan team and he will be hoping to guide them to the top once again.
Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich) – Centre-back: £40 million
Another defender who is excellent on and off the ball, Mats Hummels has been Bayern Munich's defensive rock ever since he made the move from Borussia Dortmund in 2016. A powerful presence on the ball, Hummels' reading of the game is next to none and he is highly valued by both Carlo Ancelotti and Joachim Low.
Still 28, the German centre-back has plenty of time on his side. Already one of the best defenders in world football, Hummels' passing, vision, technical skills and his ability to bring the ball out of defence has often led to his teams changing from defence to attack in a blink of an eye.
One of Germany's key players, Hummels will be hoping to keep fit and continue his good form in the 2018 World Cup at Russia.
Marcelo (Real Madrid) - Left-back: £42 million
Probably the best left-back in world football at the moment, Marcelo was simply brilliant in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League winning campaign last season. One of the unsung heroes in this Madrid squad, Marcelo’s contribution and importance to Los Blancos cannot be underestimated.
Bombing up and down the flanks with limitless energy, the Brazilian often formed a potent partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and scored and assisted some crucial goals during this season.
Capable of producing moments of magic, the Brazilian recently extended his contract until 2022. Full of energy, desire, determination and skill, the 29-year-old has been extremely consistent for Los Blancos and is undoubtedly one of their best players at the moment.
Marcelo and Ronaldo will be hoping to recreate their deadly partnership this season.
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) - Defensive midfielder: £60 million
Sergio Busquets might not have been in the best of form last season, but he is still the most valuable defensive midfielder in world football at the moment. Ranked ahead of Chelsea star N'golo Kante, the Spaniard will be looking to once again rediscover top form and anchor Barcelona's challenge for the League title.
The 29-year-old often does the dirty work in the middle of the park without which Barcelona cannot play the beautiful football they are renowned for. A hard-working player, he excels at breaking down opposition plays due to his positional sense, defensive attributes, tactical intelligence, and ability to read the game.
The importance of Busquets to the team can perhaps be best summed up by Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
In spite of the rivalry and one incidence of a red card earned due to Busquets' play acting, this is what Sergio Ramos had to say about him: "There are a number of players I like, but the one we perhaps need is Busquets,"
Valverde will be hoping that Busquets lives up to his potential this season.
This video gives a brief glimpse of what Busquets brings to the team.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - Central midfielder: £75 million
Paul Pogba might not have done enough in the eyes of fans to justify the £89 million transfer fee, but if you keep aside the world record transfer fee and all the hype that goes along with it, you will observe that the Frenchman actually had an extremely decent 2016/17 season.
Playing in a slightly withdrawn and unfamiliar role under Jose Mourinho, Pogba after struggling initially hit top form and played a crucial role in many of United’s good performances last season. An integral part of United’s Europa League winning campaign, Pogba’s all action displays were extremely valuable to Mourinho.
The arrival of Matic has seen United get the best out of Pogba in the first few matches this season, but an untimely injury in the match against Basel means that the talented Frenchman will be out for close to 5-6 weeks.
Still only 24, Pogba could prove to be a £89 million bargain.
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) - Central midfielder: £70 million
Probably Real Madrid’ s most consistent player, Toni Kroos has arguably taken his game to new heights ever since he made the switch to Madrid from Bayern Munich. Calm, composed and always assured on the ball, Kroos is the conductor in the midfield who pulls the strings for the Spanish giants.
One of the best players in La Liga last season, the German had an incredible 12 assists and a scarcely believable passing accuracy of 92%. Capable of picking out passes and spraying the ball across the field, the midfield maestro was integral to Madrid’s impressive performances in the League and the Champions League.
Still only 27 and already a winner of all the top trophies in world football, Kroos is poised to become one of the all time greats for both Real Madrid and Germany. Signed from Bayern Munich for a fee of just £20 million, Kroos has got to be one of the greatest signings of all time.
Luis Suarez (Barcelona) - Striker: £90 million
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez might not have looked at his best during the 2016/17 season, but there is no point arguing with his numbers. Second highest goalscorer in the League with 29 goals and the highest number of assists in the league as well with 13, Suarez has shown that he is always capable of making a difference in the attacking third of the pitch.
Tenacious, skilled and extremely determined, the Uruguayan sharpshooter has often shown that he is the best striker in world football at the moment. Having formed an excellent partnership with Messi, Suarez will be looking to gel well with new signing Ousmane Dembele as well.
Having started in uncharacteristically slow fashion this season, Suarez will be determined to make amends and finish among the top goalscorers in La Liga this season.
Liverpool fans, try not to cry after this video.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – Right Winger: £120 million
What can be said about Messi that the world already does not know? The Argentine maestro gave us the most iconic image of last season when he celebrated the winner against Real Madrid in a pulsating Clasico by holding his shirt aloft to the supporters.
That moment has just been one among the many magic moments the Barcelona legend gave us to savour in the 2016/17 season. Top of the pichichi standings with an incredible 37 goals, Messi has shown a ruthless streak in his game this season which has made him even more dangerous.
The Barcelona maestro has been in fine form at the beginning of the season and if he continues to play like how he played against Juventus and Espanyol, Messi's market value is only set to increase even though he is 30.
Neymar (PSG) - Left winger: £102 million
The most expensive player in world football at the moment, Neymar is the most likely candidate to break the Ronaldo-Messi stronghold on the Ballon d'Or trophy. Having started his time at PSG in a stunning manner, the 25-year-old Brazilian superstar will be determined to take his game to new heights and become the undisputed star of his team.
Capable of going past players with supreme ease and scoring spectacular goals, Neymar along with all the skills and tricks has a definite end product and his signing alone seems to have rejuvenated PSG and made them genuine Champions League contenders.
With the World Cup coming up next year and Neymar making merry in Ligue 1, the Brazilian is soon set to overtake the likes of Messi and Ronaldo and become the most valuable player in world football.
Watch out for Neymar guys, 2018 looks like it will be his year.
Although the most valuable XI is picked, we take a look at the alternatives to every position and the 10 most valuable players in world football at the moment in the next slide
Top 10 valuable players at the moment and alternative to every position
While Real Madrid and Ronaldo fans might be fuming at the fact that the Portuguese superstar misses out on the XI, he is still among the most valuable players in the world and is ranked at number 3.
The Real Madrid forward might be the best player in the world at the moment, but the fact that he is 32 sees his market value drop slightly. Eden Hazard, Antoine Griezmann and Gareth Bale are other famous players in the top 10.
Here are the top 10 players based on market value:
1) Lionel Messi - £120 million
2) Neymar - £102 million
3) Cristiano Ronaldo - £100 million
4) Luis Suarez - £90 million
5) Antoine Griezmann - £80 million
6) Gareth Bale - £80 million
7) Robert Lewandowski - £80 million
8) Paul Pogba - £75 million
9) Eden Hazard - £75 million
10) Gonzalo Higuain - £75 million.
Also, the second most valuable players according to position are
Goalkeeper - David de Gea: £40 million
Right-back - Hector Bellerin: £30 million
Centre-back - Sergio Ramos: £40 million
Centre-back - Gerard Pique: £40 million
Left-back - David Alaba: £40 million
Defensive midfielder: N'golo Kante: £50 million
Central midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne: £65 million
Central midfielder: Koke: £60 million
Striker: Antoine Griezmann: £80 million
Right winger: Gareth Bale: £80 million
Left winger: Cristiano Ronaldo: £100 million
The alternate XI looks as strong if not stronger than the original XI! Which players do you think missed out? Let us know in the comments section.
