Ranking the 30 Ballon d'Or nominees by their transfer market value

Ballon d’Or trophy is the most prestigious award in world football and it is no wonder why everyone wants to have a piece of the pie. 30 man shortlist for Ballon d’Or 2018 was released by the France Football and it did feature the top contenders and a few unlikely names. Though a few deserving candidates were left out of the list, one can say that the 30 man shortlist is a good indicator of the best 30 footballers in the world at the present moment.

The Ballon d’Or trophy is awarded to the deserving footballers based on the votes polled by coveted journalists from all over the world. Each country is represented by a media personnel and he casts votes for 5 player preferences to finally arrive at the winner. Hence, it is the opinion of those sports journalists worldwide that counts on the D-day. The author had previously tried to forecast the Ballon d'Or 2018 Voting Results where eventually the winner was forecasted based on the actual votes made by the journalists at the FIFA World football awards 2018.

Here, in this article, let us take a look at how the players nominated in the 30- man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018 ranks on the basis of their Market Value. Market value is prominently a financial and a publicity indicator and is not the only factor that is taken into contention. But, in the glamour world that we live in, it is surely one of the most talked about indicators of success. The market value of players is taken from transfermarkt for ranking players in this article.

So, let us see how the 30-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018 nominations ranks on the basis of their Market Value.

#30 Mario Mandzukic

Mario Mandzukic, the Croatian centre-forward who plays for Juventus FC alongside Cristiano Ronaldo is valued at 18 million pounds. The 32-year-old had recently announced his retirement from International football after he helped Croatia to reach the World Cup Finals 2018 under Dalic.

Mandzukic was nominated to the Ballon d’Or 2018 30-man nomination list on the back of the superb international year he has had with Croatia. With his prolific goal scoring abilities being on show for Juventus, there is a high possibility that his market value will rise soon.

#29 Luka Modric

It is surprising to see the FIFA World Player of the Year 2018 award winner at No.29 in the list. Luka Modric, the central midfield player from Croatia who plies his trade with Real Madrid FC, is valued at 22.5 million pounds. The figure is not representative of the value he brings into the table and Real Madrid is making huge fortunes with an undervalued market price of Luka Modric.

Luka Modric is the most touted contender to win the Ballon d’Or 2018 on the back of the World Cup Golden Ball award and the FIFA player of the year award.

#28 Hugo Lloris

The French Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who plies his trade with Tottenham Hotspur is also part of the Ballon d’Or 2018 nominations. He is presently valued at 27 million pounds. Hugo Lloris have had his share of personal problems and has been under the scanner of the media for some time.

The Frenchman, who is considered one of the best custodians at the present moment, is presently the captain at the Spurs. He deserves recognition as one among the best 30 players at the moment, though not a serious contender for the final 3 man shortlist.

#27 Diego Godín

The Uruguay Centre-back, playing with Atletico Madrid, is valued at 31.5 million pounds. His nomination into the 30-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018 is refreshing considering the lack of popularity and awards, the defenders enjoy worldwide.

At 32, Diego Godin is at the peak of his career but has taken himself out of the race for Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy. He places his Atletico Madrid teammate to win the Ballon d'or this year. (Source - Ballon d’Or 2018: 16 Footballers pick their winner).

#26 Karim Benzema

Real Madrid centre-forward, who previously played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo was a surprise nomination for Ballon d’Or 2018 shortlist. He is presently valued at 36 million pounds and is one among the 7 French nationals appearing in the list.

Having had a hard time at Real Madrid with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo gone, it is expected that Benzema will have to step into bigger shoes and produce results.

#25 Sergio Ramos

Another player from the Real Madrid Roster and Ramos is their trusted centre-back. The Spanish footballer is presently valued at 40.5 million pounds and is at No. 25 among the list of 30-man shortlist for Ballon d’Or 2018 in terms of transfer market value.

Sergio Ramos has openly come up and has supported his Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric to win the Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy. Realistically speaking, most fans don't expect him to make the Final 3 man shortlist after the disastrous World Cup for Spain national team of which he was a part of.

#24 Ivan Rakitic

The 30-year-old hardworking Croatian midfield player is at no. 24 in our list with a market value of 45 million pounds. Rakitic is presently having a career at FC Barcelona. He was highly approbated for his work with Croatian National team in their run-up to the World Cup finals 2018.

Ivan Rakitic has openly supported Lionel Messi ahead of his Croatian teammate Luka Modric to win the Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy.

#23 Edinson Cavani

The 31-year-old tall Uruguay Centre-Forward presently plays with PSG along with Neymar. He is valued at 54 million pounds and is considered one of the best strikers in the industry. The nomination of Cavani in the list of 30 nominated footballers for Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy is justifiable. But he is unlikely to make it to the final 3 shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018.

#22 Alisson Becker

The 26 year old young goalkeeper from Brazil who plies his trade with Liverpool FC is valued at 54 million pounds. He comes up at No.22 in our list and deserves a nomination in the 30 man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018. He is easily considered as one of the best custodians in the Premier League presently. But it is unlikely that he will make it to the final 3 man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018.

#21 Marcelo

The left-back at Real Madrid and Brazil National football team is part of the nominations list of Ballon d’Or 2018. He is valued presently at 54 Million pounds and comes up at No.21 in our list.

Considered as a player who brings in more value to the team both in defence and while going forward, he is an absolute team player who deserves to be part of the 30 man shortlist.

#20 Thibaut Courtois

Another player from the Real Madrid roster to be part of the 30-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018. The Belgium international was the Golden glove 2018 winner at the recently concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup and is a worthy contender to be part of the final 3 list of Ballon d’Or 2018. But being a goalkeeper, in a world where the custodians and defence is regarded as much less popular than the goal scorers, he is unlikely to be in the final 3 of Ballon d’Or 2018.

He is valued at 58.5 million pounds and comes up at no. 20 in our list.

#19 Luis Suárez

Luis Suarez is a name that is discussed amongst the best forwards in the world. The 31-year-old Uruguay International plays for FC Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi and their combination is something which everyone admired about Barcelona.

Suarez is valued at 63 million pounds and comes up at No.19 in our list.

#18 Jan Oblak

The only Slovenian footballer in the list of 30-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018, Jan Oblak, is valued at 63 million pounds. Presently playing for Atletico Madrid as the custodian, Oblak is just 25 years old and has years left in his career to be a future Ballon d’Or winner.

It would not be a surprise if you would see Jan Oblak emerge as a Ballon d’Or winner in the future years, provided Goalkeepers are considered with more recognition, which they deserve.

#17 Sadio Mané

Sadio Mane is the only nominee in the 30-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018 apart from Mohammed Salah to be from the African Continent. The Senegal left winger playing for Liverpool FC, also alongside Salah, is valued at 63 million pounds.

It is refreshing to have African footballers in the line-up of Ballon d’Or 2018, as it makes the coveted trophy truly a recognition of worldwide football.

#16 Isco

The 26-year-old Real Madrid attacking midfielder is touted to become the next big thing at the top club. Many experts even consider him to be a future Ballon d’Or winner. He is presently valued at 67.50 million pounds.

Isco had come out publicly supporting his Real Madrid FC teammate Luka Modric to win the Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy.

#15 Raphaël Varane

Raphael Varane is considered as a healthy contender to be part of the 3-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018. He had received a decent support from the journalists in the 2018 Football awards 2018 and it would not be surprising to see him beating popular stars in the Ballon d’Or 2018 final winners list.

Raphael Varane presently plays as Centre back for Real Madrid FC and is valued at 72 million pounds. The French national is highly valued and he may be the dark horse in the Ballon d’Or 2018 final list.

#14 Roberto Firmino

The 27-year-old Brazilian is valued at 72 million pounds playing for Liverpool FC. His multifaceted abilities to play as a forward, winger or as an attacking midfielder makes a wonderful value addition to any side.

Roberto Firmino is for sure one of the best 30 footballers in the world at the moment but is unlikely to sway a lot of votes while picking the final Ballon d’Or 2018 winner.

#13 Sergio Agüero

A prolific striker for both Argentina national team and Manchester City, Sergio Aguero is valued at 72 million pounds and comes up at No. 13 in our list. He was named part of the 30-man shortlist for Ballon d’Or 2018 by the French football magazine France Football rightly.

Though he has made the nominations, don't put your cards on him making it to the podium. It is highly unlikely that he will win the Ballon d’Or trophy this year.

#12 N'Golo Kanté

N'Golo Kanté has been considered as a machine, looking at his work ethic and on-field tireless job as a defensive midfielder. N'Golo Kanté is a solid player worthy of winning Ballon d’Or 2018. But being a shy and introvert star that he is, it is hard to see him making to the podium.

Kante is valued at 72 million pounds and comes up at No.12 in our list. He is one of the 2 Chelsea FC players to be part of the 30-man shortlist.

#11 Paul Pogba

Pogba is valued at 81 million pounds playing for Manchester United. The 25-year-old central midfield player has years under his belt and will be a sure shot contender for Ballon d’Or in the future years.

Paul Pogba has come out in the open naming 4 French footballers as worthy of Ballon d’Or 2018 and is of the opinion that a French national should win the Ballon d’Or 2018 considering the World Cup campaign France has had.

#10 Gareth Bale

The Wales footballer who plays as a right winger for Wales National team and for Real Madrid FC is valued at 81 Million pounds and comes up at No.10 in our list. It was surprising to see Gareth Bale come up in the 30-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018 and it is unlikely that he may get enough votes to command a top slot.

#9 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is a firm contender for the Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy even after the recent allegations against him. Being one of the most successful Ballon d’Or winners ever along with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is valued at 90 million pounds and comes up at No.9 in our list.

It is possible that history may repeat and another Juventus star in Ronaldo may deny Croatian football a Ballon d’Or like what happened in 1998 with Zidane.

#8 Antoine Griezmann

Let us be honest. Antoine Griezmann is one of the most deserving candidates to win Ballon d’Or 2018 after the successful World Cup campaign with France. He has also come out in the open multiple times staking his claim to win the Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy.

Antoine Griezmann is valued at 108 million pounds and comes up at No. 8 in our list. Let us see if he can be the first Atletico Madrid player to win the Ballon d’Or.

#7 Eden Hazard

For anyone knowing the quality that he brings on the football ground, considers him to be a great player worthy of winning Ballon d’Or. The 27-year-old Belgium footballer is presently playing at Chelsea FC is valued at 108 million pounds and comes at No.7 in our list.

He is a strong contender for Ballon d’Or and is a deserving nomination too. But he himself believes that he is not a strong contender to win the Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy

#6 Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is part of the 30-man shortlist announced by France Football for Ballon d’Or 2018. The 27-year-old Belgium international is presently playing at Manchester City as an attacking midfielder and is a widely overlooked candidate.

He is presently valued at 135 million pounds and is ranked at No.6 in our list.

#5 Harry Kane

Harry Kane has a market valuation of 135 million pounds and is ranked at No.5 in our list. Presently playing for the Spurs, he is not considered as a top contender to win the Ballon d’Or 2018.

The tall England forward is a deserving candidate to be part of the 30-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018 considering the decent run England have had in the World Cup 2018. Harry Kane had ended up being the top scorer in the tournament and had won the Golden Boot award.

#4 Kylian Mbappé

The youngest player among the 30-man shortlist of Ballon d’Or 2018, Kylian Mbappe is even touted be a firm contender to replace the present generation stars to win the trophy. He considers himself to be a favourite to win the trophy alongside 4 other players in Ballon d’Or 2018.

Kylian Mbappe playing for Paris Saint-Germain has a present market value of 135 million pounds and ranks at No.4 in our list.

#3 Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is a fan favourite and his fans all over the world wants him to win the Ballon d’Or 2018. The 26-year-old Egyptian footballer is playing at Liverpool FC and would have been considered a firm candidate to win Ballon d’Or 2018, had they won the champions league finals.

But as things stand, Mohammed Salah winning Ballon d’Or 2018 does not seems to be a realistic thing. He has a market value of 135 million pounds and is ranked at No.3 in our list.

#2 Neymar

Neymar in Liverpool v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Group C

Neymar ranks at No.2 in our rankings of 30 shortlisted Ballon d’Or 2018 nominations with a Market value of 162 million pounds. The Brazilian footballer did not have a great 2018 and the experts do not feel he has a chance at winning the Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy. Neymar came third in the Ballon d’Or race in 2015 and in 2017 losing out eventually to Lionel Messi in 2015 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017.

Neymar has come out in the open stating that Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Mbappe are the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or 2018 trophy.

#1 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi in Valencia CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Lionel Messi has been a strong contender for Ballon d’Or from the year 2007. It is a striking fact that in every year since 2007, Lionel Messi have been part of the final 3 man list of Ballon d’Or. He is once again expected to get to the podium in 2018.

With a market valuation of 162 million pounds, Lionel Messi is ranked at No.1 in our list of Ballon d’Or 2018 nominations.