Image via Lluis
1.
We can stop debating. Lionel Messi is officially worth £173 million. And Cristiano Ronaldo is only worth about two thirds of that.
The International Centre for Sports Studies Football Observatory—a group of super-clever sports researchers in Switzerland—have released a study of the most valuable footballers in the world, and what they are worth.
Messi tops the list, with Ronaldo second on £104m. Chelsea players take the third and fourth spots, with Eden Hazard at £78m and Diego Costa worth £66m. The most valuable English player is surprisingly Raheem Sterling, who the list says should go for £49m.
The study is based on an algorithm that looks at 1,500 transfers completed since 2009, and takes into account each players’ individual stats, their age, position, current contract, and the success they’ve already achieved.
Here’s the top ten most valuable players in the world:
2.
Value: £173m
Club: Barcelona
Age: 27
Contract expires: 2018
3.Cristiano Ronaldo
Value: £104m
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 29
Contract expires: 2018
4.Eden Hazard
Value: £78m
Club: Chelsea
Age: 23
Contract expires: 2017
5.Diego Costa
Value: £66m
Club: Chelsea
Age: 26
Contract expires: 2019
6.Paul Pogba
Value: £57m
Club: Juventus
Age: 21
Contract expires: 2019
7.Sergio Aguero
Value: £51m
Club: Manchester City
Age: 26
Contract expires: 2019
8.Raheem Sterling
Value: £49m
Club: Liverpool
Age: 20
Contract expires: 2017
9.Cesc Fabregas
Value: £49m
Club: Chelsea
Age: 27
Contract expires: 2019
10.Alexis Sanchez
Value: £48m
Club: Arsenal
Age: 26
Contract expires: 2018
11.Gareth Bale
Value: £46m
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 25
Contract expires: 2019