Total valuation: €550 million
The Champions League has returned this week, but several high-profile players will not take part in the competition this season. Regarded as the most prestigious club tournament globally, the Champions League is the ultimate goal for elite footballers. Many of the world’s top clubs are vying for the iconic trophy in Budapest this May.
This season, nine of the ten most valuable clubs in the world will compete in the Champions League, with Manchester United being the sole exception. Ruben Amorim’s squad, valued at €723 million, will not participate in European football at all after finishing a disappointing 15th in the Premier League. Leveraging Transfermarkt’s market values, we have identified the most valuable XI of players sitting out the Champions League this season.
The most valuable XI missing out on Champions League action
Unsurprisingly, five Manchester United players make up this combined XI, which has a total worth of €550 million. Among them, Benjamin Sesko stands out as the most valuable player missing out on Champions League football, with a market value of €70 million. Remarkably, he is the only player in the top 50 most valuable players globally who will not participate; Sesko is ranked 49th. As depicted in the graphic below, other United players featured are Matheus Cunha, Kobbie Mainoo, Diogo Dalot, and Leny Yoro.
Nine players in this lineup are affiliated with Premier League clubs, which is no surprise given that the Premier League is the most valuable league in the world. Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers are included, along with Fulham’s Antonee Robinson at left-back, and Murillo from Nottingham Forest at center-back. Samu Aghehowa and Diogo Costa are the only two players not in the Premier League, representing Porto in the Europa League.
