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The world has seen a lot of change in the last 12 months and so has the market value of football players. While Neymar and Mbappe's move to PSG heralded in an era of big spending on marquee players, clubs these days are more circumspect in the transfer market.
With the futures of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo subject to intense speculation and the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe linked to high-profile exits, this season's transfer window promises to be exciting.
There has been a lot of change in the market values of the top players around the world in the last 3 months. Players like Joao Felix have dropped out of the top 10 completely, while Harry Kane has had a stunning rise in this month's list.
Without much ado, let us take a look at the:
10 most valuable football players in the world - March 2021
#10 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - €100 million
Manchester City's crown jewel Kevin De Bruyne dropped to number 10 from the number 6 position last month. Due to his age (29 years old) and a few fitness concerns this season, the Belgian has seen a drop of nearly €20 million in his market value.
On the pitch, De Bruyne continues to perform at an extraordinary level for both club and country. With Manchester City well ahead in the Premier League, the Belgian superstar will have his eyes on the UEFA Champions League this season.
Capable of scoring world class goals and setting up teammates with equal ease, Kevin De Bruyne's technical abilities, passing skills and vision are unparalleled in the Premier League.
#9 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - €100 million
Raheem Sterling continues to remain in 9th postion on this list but his market value has dipped €10 million from February. Still only 26, the pacy English winger is reaching his peak.
With the business end of the season coming up, Pep Guardiola will be hoping that Sterling rediscovers his best form after an indifferent start to the season. Blessed with speed, excellent dribbling skills and extremely tenacious on the ball, Sterling has played a vital role in Manchester City's successes over the last few seasons.
Sterling, like his club teammate Kevin De Bruyne, will be hoping to inspire Manchester City to their maiden UEFA Champions League title.
#8 Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - €100 million
Sadio Mane, like many of his Liverpool teammates, has failed to replicate last season's brilliant form this season. The 28-year-old Senegalese forward has struggled in front of goal, having managed to score only 7 goals so far in the Premier League.
This has contributed to his market value dipping €20 million and his position to change from #3 in February to #9 this month. While Liverpool's title defense has been shambolic, they are still alive in the UEFA Champions League and Mane will be hoping to make amends in Europe's premier competition.
Sadio Mane will be determined to get back to his best and inspire Liverpool to glory once again in the Champions League.
Also read: 10 most valuable football players in the world - February 2021
#7 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - €100 million
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has not been at his best in the last few months. After struggling at the start of the season, the right-back was dropped from Gareth Southgate's latest England squad.
With his participation in the Euros hanging by a thread at the moment, the 22-year-old superstar will be determined to bring his 'A' game in the next few months. Alexander-Arnold's performances have improved markedly in the last few weeks, with the English full-back looking like his old self once again.
Excellent on the ball and crucial to Liverpool's style of play, Alexander-Arnold will be looking to establish himself as one of the game's premier right-backs once again.
#6 Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) - €100 million
Another talented English youngster who has been tipped for great things, Jadon Sancho is one of the game's brightest wingers at the moment. The 20-year-old has been electric in the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB Polkal this season, having scored 15 goals and assisted a further 13 goals.
Having been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the 2020 summer transfer window, Sancho has buckled down at Dortmund and continued to put in eye-catching performances for BVB.
Supremely skilled on the ball and blessed with excellent dribbling skills, Sancho could well be plying his trade in the Premier League next season.
#5 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - €110 million
With 25 goals already this season for Liverpool, Mohamed Salah has not shown any signs of slowing down in this tough campaign for the Reds. A supreme goalscorer with a single-minded determination to find the back of the net, Mohamed Salah has been a rare bright spot in this dismal campaign and is currently the joint top scorer in the Premier League along with Harry Kane.
With rumors swirling around Salah's future, it will be interesting to see how the summer transfer window plays out for the Egyptian superstar. Still only 28, Salah is at the peak of his game and could dominate world football for at least another 3-4 years.
Undoubtedly Liverpool's best goalscorer, Jurgen Klopp will be counting on the 'Egyptian King' to guide his team to Champions League glory this season.
#4 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) - €110 million
Erling Haaland, along with Kylian Mbappe, will undoubtedly rule world football over the next decade. A complete striker, Haaland has been in sensational goalscoring form for Borussia Dortmund, having scored 40 goals in 37 appearancens for BVB.
Still only 20, Haaland, like Sancho, has been linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window. European heavyweights like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all been credited with an interest in the Norwegian international.
A potential future Ballon d'Or winner, Erling Haaland is rightly one of the most valuable players in world football at the moment.
#3 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - €120 million
Undoubtedly the most complete striker in the Premier League, Harry Kane's remarkable consistency in front of goal and his ability to link up play has seen his market value stay steady at a remarkable €120 million.
The 27-year-old England international has evolved his game in the last few months with the striker dropping deep and linking play excellently with his Tottenham teammates.
Kane's patience with Tottenham Hotspur will be running out and it will be interesting to see what the striker does if he gets a serious transfer offer in the summer window.
With the Euros coming up, Harry Kane could well and truly establish himself as one of the game's great modern day strikers.
#2 Neymar Jr. (Paris Saint-Germain) - €128 million
The world's most expensive player, Neymar.Jr, is number 2 on this list with a market value of €128 million. The Paris Saint-Germain star has suffered a few injuries this season, but when he has played, he has shown why he is so highly regarded.
Having made a long awaited injury comeback in the Ligue 1 game against Lyon a few days back, Neymar will be determined to make up for lost time and guide PSG to a long awaited Champions League title.
With a blockbuster encounter against Bayern Munich coming up, Neymar will be itching to show the world why he is worth the big bucks.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - €180 million
Was there any doubt as to who would head this list? Kylian Mbappe, at just the age of 22, has already won a World Cup and all the domestic trophies France has to offer. With only the UEFA Champions League trophy eluding the pacy Frenchman, PSG and Mbappe will be hoping that their goal of winning Europe's premier club competition will be fulfilled this season.
Capable of destroying opposition defenses almost singlehandedly with his pace and clinical finishing, Mbappe has been heavily linked with an exit in the last few weeks. Real Madrid and, surprisingly, Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old superstar.
The world is at Kylian Mbappe's feet and the French superstar will be looking to make the most of his immense potential.
Note:Lionel Messi's (33-years-old) market value is €80 million, while Cristiano Ronaldo's (36-years-old) market value is €50 million (10 million lesser than February)
(Values courtesy - Transfermarkt)
