The CIES Football Observatory compiles an annual ranking of the five best European championships. The following components are considered the main ones: age, role on the field, duration of the contract with the club, performance and other factors that affect the value of the player.
The most expensive football players of 2018
10th place. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - 147.5 million euros
A bright career at Juventus in the 2015/16 season made it known throughout Europe that this is an extra-class player who will line up with big clubs. Manchester United were the most persistent. This is his second visit to Old Trafford. The first took place in 2011, but Sir personally rejected the talent Alex Ferguson. The Red Devils had time to regret selling him to Juventus in the summer of 2012 a little later, and after all, after many years they should have paid 105 million euros for Pogba. A move in 2016 made the Frenchman one of the most expensive transfers in football history.
The last two seasons make it clear that Paul's appearance at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho is not random. And now it's hard to imagine the current team without him. His dominance in midfield, covering the ball with his body, strong blows from long range, as well as incredible stamina, make the 25-year-old Frenchman one of the best midfielders in modern football.
9th place. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) – €150m
The current season has developed for Atlético and Griezmann in the best possible way. Wards of Diego Simone won the Europa League, in which the French striker shone and scored 6 goals. Arsenal in the semi-final at the Emirates missed a very important goal from Griezmann. "Mattress" were left with ten men and without a head coach at the edge of the field, but Antoine pulled the team out of difficult situation. He scored two goals in the final game against Marseille. You can add 19 more balls within Spanish championship for all the success of the results of the season.
In 2014, the 27-year-old Frenchman signed a contract with Atlético Madrid, paying 30 million euros for him to Real Sociedad. Now the price can be multiplied by five. It will be difficult to keep a player for the current club next summer. Barcelona are crying for him, based on the latest rumors in the press.
8th place. Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United) €164.8m
He was the personification of Everton a little earlier, and since the summer of 2017 he became a player of Manchester United. The Red Devils fought with Chelsea, where a striker was also needed. Alvaro Morata went to London, but Lukaku joined Jose Mourinho. Everton received 84.7 million euros from Manchester for the Belgian striker.
More than 16 Premier League goals and 27 overall for the season were expected of him. If we compare the statistics with those in the last campaign at Everton, then there are differences. In 2017, he scored 25 goals in the Premier League alone. Lukaku has not fully developed his talent, and he can score even more than in his best years.
7th place. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) – €167.8m
De Bruyne had an outstanding season at Manchester City. Wards of Guardiola set records after records, and the Belgian handed out passes and was a key player on the field. But at Chelsea, under the leadership of Mourinho, his talent was not revealed, and there was a time when De Bruyne was written off. He went through the thorns of the Bundesliga, after which he returned to conquer the Premier League.
An absolutely versatile list of virtues makes him one of the best playmakers in the world. Wolfsburg acquired De Bruyne for €22m from Chelsea, later selling the player for €70m to Manchester City, and is now worth much more. Every team needs players like this, and the investment for the 26-year-old Belgian should not be wasted.
6th place. Delle Alli (Tottenham) - 171.3 million euros
Delle Alli made a huge leap in his career. Now he is 22 years old, and he is one of the leaders of Tottenham. Three years ago he played for Milton Keynes Dons, and in 2015 his life changed when he signed a contract with Premier League clubs. Despite his youth, the Englishman has appeared in 36 Premier League games for Spurs this season.
Alli became a Tottenham player for some 6.5 million euros, and now his value has increased to, scary to imagine, 171.3 million euros. His example shows how to improve your level. After a successful first season at the London club, he was awarded a deal until January 2021. We can say that Alli is the pearl of Tottenham, and his progress is due not only to the player, but also to the club.
5th place. Paulo Dybala (Juventus) €174.6m
Arrived in Argentina new star- Paulo Dybala. Now Messi and Higuain in the national team will not be bored. His career took off at modest Palermo, which landed him at Juventus in 2015. The child prodigy from Laguna Larga has Argentinean, Polish and Italian roots. After a successful last season at Palermo, his career continued in Turin, but his first season did not work out.
In the 2017/18 season, the player set a personal performance record, scoring 25 goals. With his help, the Bianconeri became Italian champions and cup winners. He is adored by local fans and loves them back. Many compare Dybala to Messi.
4th place. Kylian Mbappe (PSG) – €192.5m
The youngest player in this ranking. He is only 19 years old, but he already has excellent seasons at Monaco and PSG. The player has every chance to climb the football throne in the near future, when Ronaldo and Messi stop entertaining fans with a lot of goals.
PSG paid Monaco €180m for Kylian. This season, the attacking trio of Mbappe-Cavani-Neymar was considered one of the best in Europe. The Frenchman's Twitter gives away his humble nature. In many ways, he is still a child, albeit a very talented one. Of course, this is the future of world football for many years to come. Its cost is only increasing, and the limit of development is not yet visible.
3rd place. Harry Kane (Tottenham) - 194.7 million euros
The British goalscorer of recent years and the leader of Tottenham has noticeably increased his value. 2017 was a swan song for Kane as he managed to score 56 goals ahead of Lionel Messi. In addition, he broke the record of Alan Shearer, who scored 36 goals during the Premier League season in 1995. Kane set a new milestone by scoring 39 goals against opponents.
He's handled injuries well in the past two seasons, which has helped him make history. Performance could improve in the coming years if the striker stays in the Premier League. There are proposals to Tottenham from Real Madrid and other clubs that would not mind having such a player in their squad. Kane deserved such honors and even more. His game is not marked by any refinement, it's all about positioning and stability.
So far, Kane can only dream of the titles that Ronaldo and Messi have, but the 24-year-old Englishman is determined to keep working.
2nd place. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 202.2 million euros
Achievements can not be counted, it is worth saying that he is a five-time winner of the Golden Ball. The only desire for him is a triumph at the World Cup with Argentina. To buy from Barcelona, you will have to shell out at least 200 million euros.
Leo has been playing for the Blaugranas since 2003, not intending to keep up with fame and money in other clubs. Everything suits him in the team that gave him the opportunity to become a great football player. This season, Barcelona left the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, and Messi did not become the hero of this draw.
He is the epitome of the modern football era. His playing style is like no other, it is truly magic. No amount for this Argentine will stop big clubs from its acquisition, but here the question is different. Lionel himself is not eager to leave the club. As a child, he suffered because of his short stature, through which he was not taken seriously. He had to work on himself so that we can now observe this perfection.
1st place. Neymar (PSG) - 213 million euros
Topping the list is the Brazilian, who moved to PSG in 2017. Probably only the Parisian giants could go to a dizzying amount of 222 million euros to have this talent belong to their club. This is crazy money even by the standards of the current transfer market. Neither Barcelona nor Neymar himself could resist such an offer.
PSG bosses to achieve their dream of winning the Champions League. The arrival of Neymar was supposed to improve their chances in the tournament, but had to limit themselves to this season stage 1/8 finals, losing to Real Madrid. By the way, it is the “creamy” who want to acquire a player next summer, there are also “red devils” among the contenders. Here everything will depend on the financial component. You can be sure that Neymar will go to any club that will agree to the best deal. A return to Barcelona is also not out of the question.
The Swiss analytical company CIES Football Observatory has presented a new ranking of the most dear footballers from the top five European leagues. CIES analysts calculate the value of players based on a number of parameters, which include statistics, age, team performance, the reality of the modern transfer market, etc.
Ranking of the most dear players world was led by Paris Saint-Germain striker Killian Mbappe. The current transfer value of this 19-year-old football player is estimated at 216.5 million euros. Note that as part of the French national team, Mbappé became the 2018 world champion and was recognized as the best young player of the tournament. The French striker was included in the FIFA Team of the Year, as part of PSG he became the champion of France and the owner of the National Cup.
TOP 10 most expensive players in the world (November rating)
- Kylian Mbappé (PSG) – €216.5m
- Harry Kane (Tottenham) - 197.3
- Neymar (PSG) - 197
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 173
- Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona) - 171.3
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 170.6
- Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 164.6
- Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United) - 164.3
- Dele Alle (Tottenham) - 163.4
- Antoine Griezmann (Atletico) - 157.7
TOP 5 goalkeepers by cost
- Ederson (Manchester City) – €102m
- Ter Stegen (Barcelona) - 99.1
- Alisson Becker (Liverpool) - 90.8
- Courtois (Real Madrid) - 64.1
- Capa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) - 63.5
TOP 5 central defenders by cost
- Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona) – €99.2m
- Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham) - 97.2
- Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea) - 81.6
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 80.2
- Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City) - 80.2
TOP 5 cornerbacks by cost
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - €96.4
- Kyle Walker (Manchester City) - 88.3
- Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) th - 68.9
- Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) - 65.6
- Yosua Kimmy (Bayern) - 64.2
TOP 5 midfielders by value
- Dele Alle (Tottenham) - 163.4 euros
- Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City) - 150.4
- Pogba (Manchester United) - 130.5
- Ngolo Kante (Chelsea) - 90.6
- Eric Dier (Tottenham) - 90.5
"SE" based on data transfer mark.de made a rating of the most expensive football players in the world.
Lionel MESSI, 120 million euros
Photo REUTERS
That rare case when transfermarkt is very wrong in the price. "Barcelona" would not have given up their main star for this money. Offer a quarter of a billion, as prescribed in the contract - then we'll talk. True, according to rumors, Chelsea and PSG threatened to fork out for this amount, but the deal did not take place. Anyway, for now.
CRISTIANO RONALDO, 120 million
Photo AFP
A year ago, Messi cost the same. But his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo added in price by as much as 20 million. In September last year, the press wooed the Portuguese back to Manchester United. It was reported that the "Red Devils" for the sake of former football player ready to part with 160 million euros. No one has yet offered more for Ronaldo.
Gareth BALE, 80 million
Photo REUTERS
The Welshman last year reached the bar of 80 million - the same amount in 2007 cost Ronaldinho according to transfermarkt. More expensive in the entire history of research, the German portal estimated only a couple of aliens with seven "Golden Balls" for two.
NEIMAR, 70 million
Photo AFP
It is still not known for certain how much Neymar cost Barcelona. But, apparently, this number is more than its current market value. A year ago, the Brazilian was estimated at 60 million euros, so it is likely that he will soon get even up to a hundred.
Angel DI MARIA, 65 million
Photo REUTERS
The Argentine has made the biggest advance in value of any football player in the world. Exactly a year ago, Di Maria, who was not considered an iron player of the Real Madrid base, was worth 30 million euros. But then the Argentine had a phenomenal spring, a fantastic Champions League final and a great World Cup. That is why Manchester United did not spare 75 million euros for the midfielder in the summer. There is no doubt that Di Maria's price tag will soon reach this figure.
James Rodriguez, 60 million
Photo AFP
Another rapidly progressing comrade. A year ago, transfermarkt gave 35 million euros for the not-too-promoted midfielder of Monaco, James Rodriguez. But in the summer the World Cup broke out, at which everyone found out that Rodriguez's name was Hames, not James. Plus - this same Hames has a good scoring instinct. The Colombian received the Golden Boot, and last Monday - a prize for best goal of the year. It is not surprising that the ever-overpaying Real Madrid laid out 80 million for Rodriguez.
Luis SUAREZ, 60 million
Photo REUTERS
Suarez was valued by Barcelona in the summer at the same 80 million as Rodriguez. According to transfermarkt, the Uruguayan costs significantly less, but in a year he began to be quoted 8 million more. Suarez can bite as much as he wants, but he will always be judged by the game.
Radamel FALCAO, 55 million
Photo AFP
The Colombian is the only one out of ten who has lost value. It's all to blame for the crumpled start of the year, the missed World Cup and the vague start of a career at Manchester United. But six months later, the price tag on Falcao can again take off if he starts shooting left and right with doublets again.
Luka MODRIć, 55 million
Photo AFP
In 2013, the Croat lost in price, only to soar by 15 million a year later. The main reason for the rise is that Modric has become a regular starting lineup"Real". And the Croat himself is stable: over the past year he has not failed a single match, but there are more than enough outstanding ones.
Paul POGBA, 50 million
Photo AFP
The other day, the Italian publication Tuttosport announced that Real Madrid will acquire Pogba for 100 million euros in the summer. This is twice the market price of a Frenchman. Of course, Pogba is one of the strongest players Europe - it is no coincidence that he was recognized as the best young football player of the World Cup. But he is still far from a hundred, although he will certainly reach this mark.
As you know, football is perhaps the most beloved game of millions of people around the world. The ups and downs on the field are followed with a shudder, interest and delight. Each match is a small tragedy or a victory. Every year, huge amounts of money are spent on organizing various football tournaments: buying tickets, advertising, and so on - all this costs a tidy sum. It is also logical that the most expensive football players in the world are also the most in demand. Their fans go crazy for them, various brands are chasing them, trying to sign an advertising contract, they are admired, and sometimes even hated. Today, almost every boy dreams of becoming professional football player. As they say, what time, such and heroes. Therefore, this article will focus on those athletes who are creating the financial history of football today.
Welsh Star
So let's go! The top most expensive football players in the world are opened by a man named Gareth Bale. It was his transition from the English "Tottenham" to Madrid "Real" on this moment is considered the most expensive transfer in the history of football, the amount of which is under 100 million euros. This event took place on the first day of September 2013.
Initially, many experts criticized the “creamy” for such extravagance, but the 2014 Champions League final removed all questions. It was the Welshman's crazy pass that ultimately brought Madrid victory in the tournament for the first time in 12 years. 
Portuguese magician
The most expensive football players in the world are not only athletic people, but also outwardly attractive. A vivid example of this is Cristiano Ronaldo, for whom millions of women on the planet “dry”. However, the captain of the Portuguese national team is also very valuable. His transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid on June 11, 2009 cost the Royal Club 94 million euros. I must say that to this day Cree Ro fully justifies the money invested in it. The main thing is that the most glamorous of all existing football players on the planet continues to grow in terms of skill and value, because the amount of compensation for him is generally 200 (!!!) million euros, which scares away even the richest Russian-Arab and other oligarchs. According to the president of Real Madrid, he simply does not intend to give away his main treasure for less money.
Brazilian child prodigy
It is quite logical that the most expensive football players in the world are Brazilians too. A young talent named Neymar came to Barcelona from Santos on July 1, 2013. The Catalan team paid 83.5 million euros for him. The transfer itself eventually led to a scandal, due to which the president of the Blue Garnet had to resign.
Uruguayan master
Luis Suarez arrived at Barcelona on July 11, 2014. He got there from Liverpool and cost the new club 94 million euros. The skill of the footballer was noted not only by the fans, but by MSN specialists. The athlete has perfectly joined the team and, together with Messi and Neymar, has already scored more than 100 goals this season. 
James Rodriguez
The Colombian ended up at Real Madrid on July 22, 2014. Prior to that, he played for Monaco. The amount of money spent on its purchase is 80 million euros. The athlete was recognized as the top scorer of the 2014 World Cup, and also scored the most beautiful goal.
The coach of the "creamy" Carlo Ancelotti cannot get enough of his new ward. According to the coach, the footballer not only quickly joined the team and began to play high level, but still remains a very humble person.
Angel Di Maria
The most expensive football players in the world in history are sometimes not the kind of people who can fully reveal themselves in a new team. A striking example of this is the Argentinean Di Maria. This guy moved to Manchester United from Real Madrid in August 2014, they predicted a great future for him, especially since he was paid as much as 75 million euros for him. The amount, of course, is not a record, but still impressive. Nevertheless, match practice showed that the player could not start playing as efficiently as possible. As a result, he did not take root in the club and in the summer of 2015 he moved to Paris Saint-Germain.
Zinedine Zidane
The top 10 most expensive football players in the world are simply unthinkable without this Frenchman. In the early 2000s, he became a real star of Real Madrid, although it should be noted that initially it was very difficult for him to get used to the new club, but then Main coach Spaniards Vincente del Bosque was so wise and far-sighted that he was able to think over such a game scheme in which the world champion ultimately realized as much as possible and helped the club win the Champions League. The transfer itself took place on July 9, 2001, and its amount was 73.5 million euros, which at that time seemed an unrealistic number. 
Swedish rebel
Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived at Barcelona on July 27, 2009. His previous club was Inter Milan. The Spaniards paid 69.5 million euros for the Swede.
To our great regret, Zlatan never managed to organically join the team and start scoring everyone and everything, as he did before. For the only season in the "blue garnet" he was able to score only 21 goals, received several injuries, missed many important matches, and at the end of the season he had a quarrel with Josep Guardiola. In 2010, Ibrahimovic was loaned to Milan, and finally sold a year later. 
Kaka
The Brazilian ball master is also an example of how the crazy money paid to his previous club has no effect on the game in the new team. Kaka joined Real Madrid from Milan for €65 million on 7 June 2009.
As part of the "creamy" Brazilian had to constantly fight for a place in the sun, and this despite the fact that he was the first violin in the Italian team. Four seasons spent in Madrid turned out to be unsuccessful for the football player: injuries, inexpressive performances and a small number of goals scored. All this eventually led to the fact that the Brazilian returned to Milan, and completely free of charge.
Edinson Cavani
The list of 10 most expensive football players in the world is completed by this Uruguayan, whose value in July 2013 amounted to 64.5 million euros. Such money was paid by Napoli for a transfer to PSG.
In 2014, Cavani, along with Ibrahimovic, had a fairly successful season and led the Parisians to the championship. However, in the capital club they dream of winning the Champions League, which did not work out last year either. In this regard, the team is expected to Pogba. 
The most expensive football players in the world, the list of which is provided above, despite all their ups and downs, still remain ordinary people with their inherent advantages and disadvantages.
By the way, a thorough analysis of the market shows a curious thing. The most expensive football players in the world are often either attackers or midfielders in their roles. It is extremely rare, if we consider the second ten expensive players, you can see a defender, and even more so a goalkeeper (although the only one who can be considered an expensive goalkeeper was Italian Gianluigi Buffon).
Football is one of the most popular games on our planet. It is played by millions of professionals and amateurs.
The best club, its coach, stadiums and fans, the most famous and most expensive football player in the world, who earns the most in world football - these are some of the most discussed topics among people of different categories and ages. Transfers are of interest to fans of this sport no less than the number of goals scored and game results.
The method of calculating the cost
In economic terms, the definition of a highly paid player is always determined by some circumstances. Bank transfer or cash, a single tranche or installments - all this fully applies to the transitions of football players to clubs. Moreover, new rather specific conditions are added to them.
To understand who is the most expensive football player in the world today, it is necessary to take into account what percentage of the rights to him are acquired.
Often, the amount of the transfer is not officially announced, and the media are forced to guess about the true scale of the transaction. An example is the transition to Real Madrid from Tottenham, which either surpassed Ronaldo, or not in absolute terms.
Often bonus payments are prescribed in the contract - relatively speaking, if the player plays at least fifty matches and scores at least twenty goals.
Not in all cases, various related payments are taken into account, such as agency, lifting, FIFA solidarity (to the club that raised), interest provided for by the player’s previous transfers.
Top ten most
Having dealt with many conventions, we can single out the 10 most expensive football players in the world. Of course, the Argentine striker Lionel Messi and the Real Madrid player Gareth Bale are in the lead among them, the transfer value of which is about 100 million euros (in 2013). In second position is the striker of Real Madrid - the unsurpassed Cristiano Ronaldo. For him, the club in 2009 paid 94 million euros. But Zinedine Zidane takes an honorable third place. For him, the same club in 2001 gave 73.5 million euros.
The TOP of the most expensive football players in the world can be represented as follows:
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona, 2013), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid, 2013) - 100 million euros.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, 2009) - 94 million euros.
3. Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid, 2001) - 73.5 million euros.
4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona, 2009) - 69 million euros.
5. Kaka (Real, 2009) - 68.5 million euros.
6. (PSG, 2013) - 64 million euros.
7. Luis Figo (Real Madrid, 2000) - 62 million euros.
8. Radamel Falcao (Monaco, 2013) - 60 million euros.
9. Fernando Torres (Chelsea, 2011) - 58.5 million euros.
10. Neymar (Barcelona, 2013) - 57.5 million euros.
Lionel Messi
A clear, unconditional star and the most expensive football player in the world. Messi was able to become such thanks to his talent and hard work. Lionel has perfected his technique and is a versatile player with accurate passes and shots.
Messi became the first in football history to win the Ballon d'Or four times. in 2010 best player in Europe, according to UEFA, the multiple Golden Boot winner is just a small part of Lionel's personal achievements. His total income in 2013 from various bonuses and advertising amounted to 100 million euros.
Gareth Bale
This football player has recently tried on the status of a superstar. His star flight began in 2010 when Bale became a regular at Tottenham. A lot of assists, a lot of spectacular goals, carried out by Gareth, helped the team get to the Champions League. In 2013, Bale moved to Real Madrid, who paid a huge amount of money for him. In fifteen official matches, Gareth has already scored nine goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Another bright and most expensive in the world with a capital letter, a great and recognized master. There is no person in our time who would not know anything about him. Best footballer UEFA Champions League Player of the Year, top scorer European championship in 2012. And this is not the whole list of Ronaldo's merits.
The €94m given by Real Madrid for Cristi seems like a hefty sum. However, it should be noted that Ronaldo only recouped the money paid for him on T-shirts and all sorts of fashion stuff.
Zinedine Zidane
A real football star! This is the most expensive football player in the world, about which one can definitely say that not a single eurocent paid for him by Real Madrid was spent in vain. The alliance between the club and the player turned out super-successful. Zizou started playing right away and so amazingly smart, as if he had spent many years in Madrid and knows the game of Real Madrid and all his partners like a multiplication table. Along with the success of Zidane, the club also became more successful.
Winner of the European Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, the Golden Ball -98, as well as the title of "FIFA World Player" in the same year, the world champion, Italy, Europe ... Zizu, when he was a Juventus player, lacked only victory in the Champions League. However, playing for the Old Signora, he twice participated in the finals, in 1997 and 1998.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
A great scorer, one of the best forwards on the planet, the owner of a crazy hit, the author of many incredible goals. Acrobatic goal scoring has long been his feature. While playing for Barcelona, Ibrahimovic scored sixteen goals in the Example and four goals in the Champions League. Nevertheless, work at the club was not the most successful and long for a football player. Zlatan did not fit into Barcelona either in terms of playing or in terms of personal characteristics.
Russian transfers
It would be unfair to ignore the original football of Russia. The transfers carried out by the clubs of this country deserve due attention from the fans.
So, since 2005, the most expensive acquisition can boast of the St. Petersburg "Zenith", which laid out "Port" 50 million euros for the Hulk. Axel Witsel is in second place among expensively acquired players. Zenit in 2012 paid Benfica 38 million euros for him. Third place can be given to Willian. In 2013, his transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk to Anji Makhachkala cost 37 million euros.
Transfer Market Features
Analyzing the ongoing transfers, it should be noted that the largest number of them were carried out in the seasons of 2001-2002, 2009-2010. Clubs in Italy, Spain and England carried out the most expensive purchases and sales of players. Among them, the undisputed leader is Real Madrid.
Most often in the transfer market preference is given to attacking players - midfielders or strikers. Least of all, unfortunately, goalkeepers are valued.