4) Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – €151.7m
If Lionel Messi had ever moved from Barcelona, he would easily smash all the transfer records and any club spending the money would get it all back with interest (along with a few trophies to boot). However, he has remained a one-club man ever since he turned professional. Barcelona have also ensured that their talisman remains at the Camp Nou.
The Argentine forward was a man on a mission this season and picked up both the Pichichi and European Golden Shoe awards for his 37 league goals (53 in all competitions). It’s been a while since Messi had such a prolific season. He hadn’t scored more than 50 goals since his treble-winning campaign.
But why is Messi only fourth on this list? Simple. His contract runs out next summer (2018). The 29-year-old will easily become the most valuable player again once he signs that contract extension. Because if Barcelona fail to agree to his terms, they risk losing him for free next summer.
That is highly unlikely to transpire, though. The club will do all it can to keep him, including selling other players to make space for him on the wage bill.