Top 100 most valuable players in the world: Rice enters top 10, Mbappé drops to third

Transfermarkt’s recent market value updates across Europe's top leagues has seen some major changes in the top 100 most valuable players in the world list. Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram have entered the top 100, while Barcelona protege Lamine Yamal continues his impressive rise with a €10 million increase in the La Liga update. Jude Bellingham, however, was the biggest winner as his market value soared by €30m to become the joint most valuable player in the world alongside Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. Bellingham ranks higher than the Manchester City and PSG stars on our lists as the Englishman is younger than his compatriots. Declan Rice was a new addition to the top 10 with his market value moving to €110m. Below, we’ve analysed the top five most valuable players on the planet.  

Top five most valuable players in the world 

Jude Bellingham has been a revelation since joining Real Madrid for €103m from Borussia Dortmund and that transfer fee remarkably represents a bargain. Bellingham has even surprised boss Carlo Ancelotti with his incredible attacking output with the 20-year-old scoring 17 goals and providing five assists in 22 games - a goal contribution per game. Bellingham is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in football and it could be a special year for him with England amongst the favourites for Euro 2024. 

Erling Haaland can consider himself unlikely to have missed out on the Ballon D’or after an incredible 2023. Haaland fired Manchester City to a famous treble with 52 goals in 53 games during his debut season in England. Haaland’s record this campaign is equally impressive with more than a goal contribution every game and he will be integral to Pep Guardiola’s ambitions to retain the Champions League.

Kylian Mbappe remains level with Haaland and Bellingham with a valuation of €180m and he could link-up with the latter this summer. Mbappe’s future has been the biggest transfer saga in football across recent seasons but it will reach a conclusion in the coming months as his contract with PSG expires at the end of the season. The French superstar has appeared destined to join Madrid but top English clubs will also explore a deal if Mbappe expresses an interest in moving to the Premier League.

Vinicius Jr’s market value remained at €150m in the recent La Liga update despite an interrupted start to the season due to injury. Vinicius is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and he contributed 44 goal contributions in 55 appearances for Real Madrid in 22/23. Vinicius’s partnership with Bellingham is hugely exciting and Endrick’s arrival this summer will make it a devastating trio of attacking talent.

Bukayo Saka’s market value soared by €50m across the 22/23 campaign after starring for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s men ran Man City close in the title race with Saka instrumental. The English international has 26 goal involvements in 48 goals last season and he’s currently on 21 goal involvements in 27 games this season. Arsenal’s goalscoring form recently has been a major concern and Saka will be entrusted with helping improve their attacking output to preserve their title hopes across the remainder of the season.