Exclusive Transfermarkt Data
Football is undeniably the most popular sport worldwide, boasting an estimated 3.5 billion fans across the globe. Enthusiasts from every continent passionately follow “the beautiful game,” with over 5 billion viewers tuning in to watch the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The tournament saw Argentina crowned champions, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, one of the sport’s most iconic figures.
Although the majority of the world’s top players compete in Europe’s elite leagues, football is experiencing growth in emerging markets such as the United States and China. According to Transfermarkt’s renowned market values, nine of the world’s ten most valuable players are European, with Brazil’s Vinicius Junior being the only exception. This prompts the question: which nations possess the most valuable rosters? Using our exclusive data, we have aggregated the market values of players from each nation to uncover the answer.
Which Nation Boasts the Most Valuable Collection of Players?
England tops the list, harboring the most valuable group of footballers globally. With 1,675 players, their combined market value stands at €5.15 billion. Despite a nearly 60-year drought in major international titles, England boasts an impressive array of talent for manager Thomas Tuchel to choose from, including four players valued at €100 million or more. Jude Bellingham is the most valuable English player, sitting at €180 million. Following closely is Brazil, with 2,740 players and a combined market value of €4.99 billion.
Vinicius Junior ranks as the fifth most valuable player globally at €150 million, with Brazil’s second most valuable player, Raphinha, valued at €90 million. Spain ranks third, with 4,022 players totaling €4.76 billion, led by Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who is valued at €200 million. France comes in fourth, boasting Kylian Mbappé as their most valuable player at €180 million.
The reigning world champions, Argentina, round out the top five, although their roster features only two players, Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez, valued at €100 million. The remaining five nations in the top ten are all European: Portugal, Netherlands, and Belgium each have fewer than 1,000 professional players assigned market values. The United States is the first non-European or South American nation listed at 15th, while Morocco is the highest-ranked African nation at 17th.
