LaLiga dominates top 10 most valuable players list

Spain top flight LaLiga has dominated the latest list of top 10 most valuable soccer players in the world. Football Benchmark, a sports business analysis company, has released their list and there are some interesting inclusions and exclusions.

Mbappé, Haaland are unsurprisingly top two players

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé tops Football Benchmark’s list. The France international leads the way with a current valuation of $218 million. Mbappé was subject to a potential move to Real Madrid last summer, but chose instead to remain in the French capital.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is now second on the list at $198 million. The superstar striker has racked up an incredible 42 goals in 36 total club matches during the current campaign. Haaland is on pace to smash the Premier League’s 38-game goalscoring record this season.

LaLiga players makeup half of the most valuable list

Besides the two undisputed top players on the planet, LaLiga players take up five of the top 10 players on the list. Real Madrid now have three players with Vinicius Jr., Federico Valverde, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Gavi and Pedri, on the other hand, make the cut for Barcelona.

Despite the Premier League’s dominance in fandom, there are only two English top flight players on the list. Haaland’s Manchester City teammate Phil Foden is the only other Premier League player to make the top 10. Arsenal’s duo of Bukayo Saka (12th) and Gabriel Jesus (16th) just miss the company’s cut. While Rodri (13th), Marcus Rashford (15th), Ruben Dias (19th) and Darwin Núñez (20th) all round out the league’s top 20 contenders.

Football Benchmark’s top 10 most valuable soccer players:

1. Kylian Mbappé (PSG) – $218 million
2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – $198 million
3. Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) – $165 million
4. Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid) – $153 million
5. Phil Foden (Manchester City) – $150 million
6. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) – $147 million
7. Gavi (Barcelona) – $146 million
8. Pedri (Barcelona) – $144 million
9. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) – $123 million
10. Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) – $111 million

PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire