Top 5 Most Valuable Football Players of 2024: The List is Out

The CIES Football Observatory released a list of the 100 most valuable football players of 2024. The players’ transfer value determines the list.

CIES Football Observatory uses a statistical model that looks at previous transactions to estimate the transfer value of each player putting into account their performance, age, and contract duration.

In 2016, Paul Pogba broke the world record by becoming the first footballer to be worth over €100M. However, barely a decade later, the worth of players is going off the charts.

Last year, the number of players who had a transfer value of more than €100M was only 20. Currently, that number has almost doubled to 39.

Unfortunately, Kylian Mbappé has missed in the top bracket and is down to position 27. The change is because he has the potential to be a free transfer in this 2024 summer.

With Mbappe missing on the top, continue reading to see who made it to the list of the top 5 most valuable football players of 2024.

Top Most Valuable Football Players of 2024

The 🔟 most expensive* players 💵
🥇 @BellinghamJude 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 €2⃣6⃣8⃣m
🥈 @ErlingHaaland 🇳🇴 €2⃣5⃣1⃣m
🥉 @vinijr 🇧🇷 €2⃣5⃣0⃣m#Rodrygo 🇧🇷 #Saka 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #Foden 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #Gavi 🇪🇸 #Alvarez 🇦🇷 #Musiala 🇩🇪 #Odegaard 🇳🇴
* Transfer value as per @CIES_Football model
Top 💯 👉 https://t.co/P1kLZlxs2x pic.twitter.com/MmMcxxpnQP

— CIES Football Obs (@CIES_Football) January 4, 2024

5. Bukayo Saka

https://gty.im/2157148088

Arsenal’s star player, at present, holds the reputation of being one of the best wingers in the Premier League. At only the age of 22, his value has increased from €167M to €223M. His contract with Arsenal will end in 2027. His fantastic performance is what has added to his value skyrocketing; in the 2023-24 season, he already had 18 goals and 13 assists in 41 game appearances.

He even earned the recognition of being named the English Player of the Year in 2023. He has won this award twice. With such a record, at his age, it is not a surprise for him to be named one of the top most valuable football players of 2024. Though many may argue that he deserved a better rank.

You Can Read: Euro 2024: Team Slovenia Profile

4. Rodrygo Goes

https://gty.im/1993685702

Rodrygo had a tough start in the 2023/24 season. He was not able to score for 11 continuous games. However, he bounced back and finished the season strong with 16 goals and eight assists in 43 game appearances. Many compare him to Neymar, and even though sometimes he is overshadowed by Vinicius he plays his game well that you will never miss to notice him.

Benzema’s departure from Real has given him more room to grow alongside Vinicius.

3. Vinicius Junior

https://gty.im/1900663465

Many said that he would be the next Neymar. Funny thing, Vinicius proved them all wrong for he grew to be his own man on the pitch. Even though he struggled at first after joining Real, he overcame it and is now not only one of the top most valuable football players but also one of the most valuable wingers in international football.

With the departure of Benzema, he has now become the center of attention in Real, together with Bellingham. Many also expect him to win the Ballon d’Or in the next few years.

2. Erling Haaland

https://gty.im/2154711309

Last season he was the top most valuable football player. Even though he dropped, he has not fallen much behind, he is currently in position two. He was the top scorer last season with 52 goals, he has maintained that despite having fewer goals; 31 goals. He also had six assists in 38 game appearances.

He has proved to be an asset to Man City after they bought him for €51M but is now worth €251M; more than four times. he broke the record for league goals in the 2022/23 season. He was named the IFFHS footballer of 2023. We can expect much more from him considering he is only at the beginning of his career.

1. Jude Bellingham

https://gty.im/2155760359

Jude Bellingham is leading the top most valuable football players of 2024. It is not coincidental, but he has worked hard for it. Barely 21 years of age, he has won both the Golden Boy and the Kopa Trophy Awards.

He earns the title of being the top because of his unique talent, his ability to be versatile on the field, and his leadership qualities while still managing to consistently improve his performance. In 34 game appearances, he has scored 20 goals and 10 assists. With the Euro 2024 season starting soon, we can expect to see him help England shine.