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The CIES Football Observatory recently compiled a list of 20 most valuable players in world football. This list included 12 players from the Premier League, 2 players from Ligue 1, 4 players from the La Liga and 2 players from the Serie A. CIES Football observatory uses an algorithm to determine the current transfer market value of a player considering certain factors such as age, position, game time, contract status, club performance and international experience amongst many others. We pick the top 5 most valuable players from the list published by the CIES Football Observatory.
#5 Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund):
Transfer Market value: €159.4 million
Jadon Sancho was one of the most exciting prospects of Manchester City's youth academy. But the youngster moved to Borussia Dortmund for regular first-team football at the start of 2017/18 season. Dortmund bought Sancho for just €8 million, which in today's inflated market, was an absolute bargain for a player of his potential. Dortmund have a history of developing young players with potential into world-class players and was the right club for the 19-year-old to join at that moment.
In his first season at the club, he scored 1 goal and provided 4 assists in 12 appearances. But the youngster really proved his mettle in the 2018/19 Bundesliga season. The Englishman scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in the Bundesliga; only Eden Hazard managed more assists(14) in Europe's top 5 leagues. Sancho was called up for international duty by Gareth Southgate following his impressive performances at club level. Elite clubs across Europe have been keeping a close eye on the 19-year-old, with Manchester United reportedly most interested in the youngster. Jadon Sancho is valued at €159.4 million by the CIES Football Observatory.
#4 Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona):
Transfer Market Value: € 167.4 million
It is hard to find words to describe Lionel Messi as a footballer. The little magician has been in exhilarating form this season, scoring a whopping 51 goals and providing a further 16 assists across all competitions for Barcelona, leading the Catalan giants to their 26th La Liga title. The 31-year-old had a disappointing end to the Champions League campaign, surrendering a 3 goal advantage in the second leg of the semi-final against Liverpool, but still remains the favourite to lift the prestigious Balon d'Or for the 6th time in his footballing career.
The footballing maestro will be looking to win this year's Copa America with Argentina and secure his first ever international trophy, cementing his claim on the Balon d'Or. The Argentine is valued at €167.4 million by the CIES Football Observatory.
#3 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City):
Transfer Market Value: €207.8 million
Raheem Sterling has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, but the 24-year-old has proved his critics wrong with his performances in the past couple of seasons. He has transformed into one of the best players in the Premier League since the arrival of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The Englishman has 25 goals and 12 assists to his name this season and was named this season's Premier League Young Player of the Year. The former Liverpool man helped Manchester City retain their Premier League title and become the first ever English side to secure a domestic treble.
Sterling has also established himself as a key member of Gareth Southgate's England squad and helped them secure the 3rd position in this year's UEFA Nations League. Raheem Sterling is valued at €207.8 million by the CIES Football Observatory.
#2 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool):
Transfer Market Value: €219.6 million
Mo Salah returned to the Premier League after an underwhelming stint with Chelsea, with the determination to prove his doubters wrong this time around. He set the league alight in his first season with Liverpool, scoring 32 goals in the Premier League and breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's record of most goals in a single season. He continued his brilliant form in his second season at the club, scoring 27 goals and providing 10 assists across all competitions for Liverpool and helping Liverpool lifting the prestigious Champions League trophy.
Mo Salah was bought for an estimated €42 million a couple of seasons back, which looked like too much money for a player who didn't do much during his first stint in the Premier League. But as it turned out, it was the best €42 million the club had ever spent. And now, Mo Salah is valued at €219.6 million by CIES Football Observatory.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint Germain):
Transfer Market Value: €252 million
Kylian Mbappe burst onto the scene during the 2016/17 with AS Monaco, scoring 21 goals and providing 8 assists in 38 appearances in the Ligue 1 and Uefa Champions league combined and helping Monaco lift the Ligue 1 title that year. He became one of the hottest prospects in Europe, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain both fighting for his signature. Paris Saint Germain eventually won the war and bought the lightning-quick forward on loan, with an option to buy for a reported fee for €180 million.
Kylian Mbappe has, so far, lived up to the hype and his price-tag. The boy-wonder has 39 goals and 12 assists to his name this season; only Lionel Messi has managed to score more goals in all competitions. He is still Europe's most wanted player and is valued at €252 million by CIES Football Observatory.
