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<p>837 updates</p>
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<img alt="Major League Soccer market values: Lionel Messi down - Heung-Min Son hits 10 year low"
src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/major-league-soccer-market-value-spotlight-dec-2025-1765317181-184740.jpg"
title="Major League Soccer market values: Lionel Messi down - Heung-Min Son hits 10 year low">
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<p>With the end of the MLS Cup Playoffs Final held in Fort Lauderdale, Transfermarkt has revised the market values of 827 players in Major League Soccer. Significant changes have occurred at the top, affecting several superstars who, despite their impressive performances this year, experienced age-related downgrades. This group includes Lionel Messi, the MLS Cup winner and star of Inter Miami CF, alongside LAFC's Heung-Min Son. Additionally, Riqui Puig, the league's most valuable player, saw a 10% reduction in his market value, dropping from €20 million to €18 million due to his absence throughout 2025.</p>
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<img alt="MLS: All new market values at a glance"
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src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/mls-market-value-update-in-news-dec-2025-1765317985-184741.jpg?lm=1765317989"
title="MLS: All new market values at a glance" width="503">
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<p>Although Transfermarkt aims to minimize downgrades for injured players, it was necessary for Puig due to his year-long recovery from an ACL injury sustained in the 2024 Western Conference finals. While he has resumed training, he has yet to participate in any matches. Undoubtedly, Puig is one of the league's top talents when fully fit, but his prolonged absence has affected his market value. The 26-year-old must now validate his previous high market value following the LA Galaxy's victorious 2024 MLS Cup campaign.</p>
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<p>Focus has largely been on Messi during this year's playoffs. Despite his record-breaking achievements, a downgrade was inevitable for the 38-year-old star. “Messi had another outstanding season,” said Transfermarkt Data Administrator North America, Dominic Becker. “He is still the focal point of Miami's strategy and played a pivotal role in their first-ever MLS Cup victory. However, age is a factor, even if his performances don't show it. Regardless of the downgrade, he retains the title of the most valuable player in his age group.” The necessity of a downgrade was influenced by Cristiano Ronaldo's similar situation at the same age, making Messi's market value drop by €3 million, from €18 million to €15 million.</p>
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>Inter Miami CF</p>
<p>Al-Nassr FC</p>
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<p>€15.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€12.00m</p>
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<p>Right Winger</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Centre-Forward</p>
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<p>31/12/2028</p>
<p>Contract until</p>
<p>30/06/2027</p>
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<p><span>Full Player Comparison</span></p>
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<h2>MLS Market Values: Fluctuations for Inter Miami - Son and Müller Downgraded</h2>
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<p>Messi isn't the only player from Inter Miami experiencing a market value decrease. Defensive midfielder Rodrigo De Paul witnessed his second consecutive drop. Acquired to bolster Miami's midfield, De Paul was instrumental in the MLS Cup final. However, age-related factors have caused his market value to fall from €20 million to €15 million, better aligning it with the €15 million purchase option in his loan contract. While Messi and De Paul see declines, the outlook is brighter for others. Notable upgrades include promising talents Mateo Silvetti (+€1m to €6m), Tadeo Allende (+€2m to €5m), who set an MLS Cup Playoff record with nine goals, and Telasco Segovia (+€1.5m to €4.5m).</p>
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<p>Outside of Inter Miami, two former European stars have also experienced downgrades. At LAFC, Son has excelled since joining MLS, netting 12 goals and providing four assists. “He acclimated quickly to his new surroundings,” Becker noted. “Together with Denis Bouanga (who maintained his value at €8m), they formed a formidable duo. As he turns 33, Son's age-related downgrade becomes a fact of life.” Consequently, the Korean international, who has set jersey sales records in Southern California, sees his market value decrease by €3 million to €17 million, the lowest since June 2015 when he was still a player for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.</p>
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<img alt="MLS market value update for aging stars"
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src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/mls-market-value-update-aging-stars-own-the-down-1765318170-184742.jpg?lm=1765318192"
title="MLS market value update for aging stars"
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<p>Son wasn't the only recent arrival to deliver immediate success. At Vancouver Whitecaps, Thomas Müller significantly contributed to the team reaching the inaugural MLS Cup Final, narrowly losing to Messi's Inter Miami. Despite the defeat, Müller became the most decorated German player in history after winning the Canadian Championship earlier this season. “Müller's influence was evident from day one,” Becker said. “His skill and character elevated the Whitecaps both on and off the pitch. He takes charge, assumes responsibilities, and is integral to a strong squad. Despite a minor decline from €6 million to €5 million, he remains among the most valuable players in his age group.”</p>
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<h2>MLS Market Values: Many Upgrades for Vancouver – Dreyer Shines at San Diego</h2>
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<p>While Müller experienced a downturn, many of his teammates saw their market values increase. Leading these upgrades is US men’s national team midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. The 24-year-old's impressive season has made him highly sought after this winter, resulting in a 66.7% rise in market value from €3 million to €5 million. Other noteworthy increases at the Whitecaps include Ali Ahmed (+€500,000 to €4m), Yohei Takaoka (+€500,000 to €3.5m), Tristan Blackmon (+€300,000 to €3.5m), Mathías Laborda (+€1.5m to €3.5m), Édier Ocampo (+€1m to €3m), and Emmanuel Sabbi (+€1m to €2.5m).</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, San Diego FC's Andres Dreyer emerged as one of the major winners in this update. “We’re running out of superlatives to describe his performances,” Becker stated. “With 41 direct goal contributions, he’s a key member of Denmark’s national team. At just 27, he’s in his prime and justifiably a finalist for MLS MVP.” Dreyer’s market value has risen by 25% from €12 million to €15 million.</p>
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<img alt="MLS: The ten most valuable players after the update"
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src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/mls-the-most-valuable-players-after-the-update-1765409182-184903.png?lm=1765409202"
title="MLS: The ten most valuable players after the update"
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<p>Dreyer's emergence highlights a successful inaugural season for San Diego FC. However, Hirving Lozano saw his market value drop by €2 million, from €10 million to €8 million. Their journey ended in the Western Conference finals against the Whitecaps, yet it has been a remarkable season, with numerous players from the expansion side receiving market value upgrades. Notable rises include Luca Bombino (+€1.2m to €2.5m), Manu Duah (+€900,000 to €1m), Christopher McVey (+€1m to €2m), and Onni Valakari (+€1m to €5m).</p>
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<h2>MLS Market Values: Cavan Sullivan Receives Initial Market Value – Talents to Watch</h2>
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<p>As always, several young talents are capturing attention, with Cavan Sullivan being the most notable. The 16-year-old from Philadelphia Union became the youngest player in MLS history during the 2024 season and continues to show impressive progress. “He's regarded as the most significant talent in US football,” Becker mentioned. “He has been a regular in the Union lineup this season and has excelled in MLS Next Pro.” Sullivan is expected to join Manchester City when he turns 18 for a fee around $5 million (€4.3 million). With this future prospect in mind, Transfermarkt has set his initial market value at €3.5 million.</p>
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<p>Other young stars seeing value upgrades include New England Revolution's wing-back, Peyton Miller, whose market value surged 500% from €500,000 to €3 million. At LAFC, 19-year-old Venezuelan striker David Martínez's market value increased by €1 million to reach €4 million. Additionally, Charlotte FC’s 19-year-old midfielder Baye Coulibaly received a starting market value of €1.5 million. Noteworthy rising teenagers include New England's Allan Oyirwoth (+300% to €400,000), Columbus Crew’s Taha Habroune (+166.7% to €400,000), and Vancouver's Rayan Elloumi, who debuted with a market value of €300,000.</p>
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<strong><em>Understanding Transfermarkt Market Values</em></strong>
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<p><em>Transfermarkt market values are established using various pricing models, primarily influenced by the Transfermarkt community, whose members actively discuss and assess player values. It’s important to note that these values are not synonymous with transfer fees.</em></p>
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<p><em>The objective is to reflect a player's expected market value in a free market, with various individual transfer models and situational factors at play. For more detailed definitions, please refer to the market value explanation provided by Transfermarkt.</em></p>
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