On June 23, 2023, the CIES Football Observatory released its latest rankings of the world’s most valuable footballers, crowning Manchester City’s Erling Haaland as the top player at €245.1 million. The Norwegian striker’s record-breaking Premier League season, with 52 goals across competitions, propelled him €49 million ahead of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior (€196.3 million) and Arsenal’s Nigerian-born Bukayo Saka (€195.8 million), per CIES data.
Top Five Breakdown
The top five includes Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham (€190.2 million), who later joined Real Madrid, and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes (€184.5 million). Haaland’s value reflects his pivotal role in Manchester City’s treble pursuit, while Saka’s stellar form secured a long-term Arsenal contract, per Sky Sports. Bellingham’s transfer to Real Madrid for €103 million plus add-ons in June 2023 underscored his market demand, per ESPN.
Top 10 Most Valuable Players (June 2023)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – €245.1M
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) – €196.3M
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – €195.8M
- Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) – €190.2M
- Rodrygo Goes (Real Madrid) – €184.5M
- Pedri Gonzalez (Barcelona) – €178M
- Pablo Gavi (Barcelona) – €174.1M
- Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) – €170.2M
- Phil Foden (Manchester City) – €166.8M
- Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) – €163.2M
CIES Valuation Methodology
CIES evaluates players based on performance, age, career progression, club success, and economic factors, per its report.
Young stars like Bellingham (19), Gavi (18), and Musiala (20) rank high due to their potential and long-term contracts, while Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess and marketability drive his value. Mbappé’s lower ranking reflects his expiring PSG contract in 2024, per Forbes.
Transfer Window Implications
With the summer transfer window opening, clubs eyed players like Bellingham, who moved to Real Madrid, and others like Mbappé, linked to a free transfer in 2024, per The Sun.
Arsenal’s retention of Saka bolstered their squad, while Manchester City’s £44 million Premier League prize money, per the provided story, supports their financial edge. The rankings signal a shift toward younger, versatile talents dominating global football’s market.
African Talent in Focus
Bukayo Saka, of Nigerian descent, represents Africa’s growing influence, alongside Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, valued at €120.1 million (18th), per CIES.
Their prominence aligns with African players like Majeed Ashimeru, who expressed optimism about Ghana’s football ambitions in 2021, reflecting the continent’s rising football profile, per earlier artifacts.
Market Dynamics
The CIES list, covering 100 players, highlights the financial stakes in football, with Manchester City’s 2021/22 revenue of £613 million, per the provided story, fueling investments in stars like Haaland and Foden.
As clubs prepare for the 2023/24 season, these valuations guide transfer strategies, with Real Madrid and Barcelona dominating the top 10, per Goal.com.
