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In football, as in life, certain skills are more valuable than others. The ability to put a ball into the net is rated higher than the ability to save the ball from going into the net - hence why Cristiano Ronaldo is more valuable than, say, David de Gea.But to come up with Europe’s most valuable XI, we had to not only look at the most valuable players in the world, but also the most valuable players at each position, starting from the goalkeeper to the striker.So, presenting, the Most Valuable XI in European Football at the moment.NOTE: The estimated Market Value is just that, an estimation done by the folks at transfermarkt.com, and not to be confused with a transfer fee.
#1 Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Age: 28
Contract expires: June 2019
Estimated market value: €40 million
The Bayern Munich custodian is currently the best player in his position in world football and consequently the most valuable. Having joined Bayern Munich from Schalke in 2011 for €27.5 million, Neuer has only gone from strength to strength and justifies his market value.
The German also added the World Cup to his overflowing kitty of trophies in the summer of 2014, not to mention the manner in which he has revolutionised the world of football with his style of play. The sweeper-keeper is now a much-vaunted player in modern day football, all thanks to Neuer.
#2 Right-back: Philipp Lahm
Age: 31
Contract expires: June 2018
Estimated market value: €30 million
Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm is arguably the best player in the right-back position, even if coach Pep Guardiola seems hell bent on changing Lahm into a defensive midfielder. Despite his €30 million evaluation, Lahm’s sale from Bayern Munich remains an unthinkable prospect. Lahm recently retired from international duty after winning the World Cup, thereby becoming even more valuable for Bayern Munich.
Pablo Zabaleta is the second most valuable right-back in football as per the market values. The 29-year-old has been in solid form for Manchester City and has become one of the first names on the teamsheet. He came close to challenging Lahm for the position, but in the end, the German was the best choice for the position.
#3 Left-back: David Alaba
Age: 22
Contract expires: June 2018
Estimated market value: €35 million
David Alaba completes the trio of Bayern Munich players in the Most Valuable XI of European football. The 22-year-old has been in scintillating form over the last couple of years, and has consolidated his position as the most valuable left-back in football.
Not only that, the Austrian is usually fielded in a myriad of positions by manager Pep Guardiola, starting from left-back to central midfield to attacking midfield. Alaba’s versatility remains his strongest forte, and has helped him become a key member of the team under Pep Guardiola.
At 22, Alaba has time on his side to further improve himself, a scary prospect for opposition teams.
#4 Centre-back: Sergio Ramos
Age: 28
Contract expires: June 2017
Estimated market value: €45 million
The Real Madrid defender is the most valuable centre-back currently in football based on his form and performances over the last few years. The Spaniard’s time at Madrid has been marked by a steady rise to the top and his inclusion on the list comprising the elite of world football. After winning the World Cup and the Euros with Spain, Ramos won the one trophy that had eluded him at Real Madrid - the Champions League - to complete an already impressive resume.
At 28, the defender is right now playing at the peak of powers, and will most likely see out his career at the Bernabeu.
#5 Centre-back: Thiago Silva
Age: 30
Contract expires: June 2018
Estimated market value: €40 million
PSG might have secured the most expensive defender in football in the form of David Luiz, but his partner and team-mate Thiago Silva is still the more valuable of the two. Silva joined PSG in a €42 million deal from AC Milan in June 2012, and his performances since have ensured his market value remains constant.
A not so successful World Cup campaign for Brazil, that ended at the semi-final stage, might have dented his value on the international stage, but for PSG, Silva remains the undisputed top-dog in defence. The fact that he is almost always on the top of his game, and the reputation that he has carved for himself, ensure that it would take a monstrous bid for PSG to even entertain thoughts of selling Silva.
#6 Defensive Midfield: Sergio Busquets
Age: 26
Contract expires: June 2018
Estimated market value: €40 million
An important part of the all-conquering Barcelona side of Pep Guardiola, Sergio Busquets’ rise to stardom has been nothing short of spectacular. Despite stiff competition from the likes of Arturo Vidal and Nemanja Matic, the Spaniard’s valuation as a defensive midfielder still puts him ahead of the former two.
At 26, the Spaniard has won all there is to win – World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, La Liga. Perhaps a change in scenery could give Busquets the motivation he needs to return to his already high standards of play.
#7 Central Midfield: Luka Modric
Age: 29
Contract expires: June 2018
Estimated market value: €55 million
A 40 million euro move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid in the summer of 2012 certainly raised many eyebrows, but Luka Modric was always going to succeed in the Spanish capital. Blessed with brilliant technique and a sharp mind, Modric’s performance and creativity over the last 2 years has seen Real Madrid re-establish themselves under Ancelotti, and win both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
Despite stiff competition from the likes of Paul Pogba and teammate Toni Kroos, Luka Modric is still the most valuable central midfielder in football. The Croatian has flourished under Ancelotti and the future looks bright for him.
#8 Right-winger: Gareth Bale
Age: 25
Contract expires: June 2019
Estimated market value: €80 million
Signed for a whopping €94 million in the summer of 2013, Gareth Bale has lived up to the expectations that come with a transfer fee of that magnitude. The Welshman has scored 30 goals and assisted 24 in 63 appearances for Madrid, despite having to alter his style as part of a team featuring Cristiano Ronaldo.
At 25, Bale has the chance and time to further improve his already staggering rate of growth. At Madrid, he has the perfect template playing beside him, to teach him how to become a true superstar of football.
#9 Left winger: Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 29
Contract expires: June 2018
Estimated market value: €120 million
There isn’t much to be said that already hasn’t been. Cristiano Ronaldo is the most valuable player to have in a team, any team. The Portugese has, since joining Madrid, scored 282 goals and assisted 95 in 268 apperances – an astonishing statistic by any scale.
If you can do the hardest thing in football - scoring goals - with such consummate ease, then you are likely to be invaluable to any team, let alone Spanish giants Real Madrid. Ronaldo’s star power continues to grow with each passing day, as he seems to be on a mission to break records this season, and lead Real to greater heights as a club.
#10 Attacking midfielder: Wayne Rooney
Age: 29
Contract expires: June 2019
Estimated market value: €45 million
The Manchester United captain has already spent a decade at Old Trafford, and in that time Rooney has notched up 221 goals and 128 assists in 453 appearances. His marketability as the posterchild of English football certainly adds a lot to his market value.
While he has not quite scaled the heights of Ronaldo and Messi, Rooney's contribution to Manchester United's success cannot be underplayed. In their worst season under David Moyes, Rooney was the only spark in an otherwise dull team. And Van Gaal’s decision to appoint Rooney his club captain only strengthens the argument that Rooney is the most valuable player at Old Trafford.
#11 Striker: Lionel Messi
Age: 27
Contract expires: June 2018
Estimated market value: €120 million
Who else, but the little magician from Barcelona. Just to save time, here are Messi’s statistics: 445 appearances, 375 goals, 168 assists.
A reported buyout clause of €1 billion tells you all there is to know about Messi's valuation at Barcelona - the Argentinian is simply unsellable. His performances are only getting better, and one can only imagine what he has in store for fans in the next 5 years of football.
One thing is for sure – records will tumble, trophies will be won and Messi’s star will continue to shine brightly.
#12 Europe\'s most Valuable XI
So there it is, the most valuable team in Europe based on form, performances and the market value of each player.
The team features 3 players from Bayern Munich, 4 players from Real Madrid, 2 from Barcelona and 1 each from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
