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The market value of a player depends upon numerous variables like the player's age, his club, current and recent form, brand value, among others. The higher the market value, the higher the price tag. These days, it is a common norm for clubs to evaluate players' market values before making a bid for them.
Over the course of years, we have seen the market value of players rise and plummet as per their form. In this article, we compile a list of players who have seen the greatest decrease in market value since January 1st, 2017.
The list features a bunch of veterans who are seemingly past their primes. Without further ado,
Ranking the top 5 players with the greatest decrease in market value in the last 5 years.
#5 Sergio Busquets (Spain/Barcelona) — €-51.00m
The current Barcelona captain, Sergio Busquets, has seen a decrease of €51.00m in his market value since 1st Jan 2017. The Spaniard joined Barcelona from its own academy, La Masia. The then 20-year old Sergio Busquests cemented his position right away.
Since then, Busquets has barely missed a game for Spain and Barcelona. However, as time went by, he started facing competition from talented youngsters like Casemiro, N'golo Kante, Bruno Fernandes etc.
Despite being one of the best midfielders of all-time, Busquets' limelight was stolen by his rival Luka Modric for a brief period. However, the 33-year-old need not worry about his current market value (€9.00m) as he is expected to retire at his boyhood club itself.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United) — €-65.00m
Cristiano Ronaldo announced himself to the world after catching Sir Alex Ferguson's attention in a friendly game. Immediately after winning a ticket to Manchester United, Cristiano made the most of the opportunity and rose to be arguably the best player on the planet.
As Cristiano's fame outgrew his then-club Manchester United, he switched to La Liga giants Real Madrid for a then-world record fee of €94million. What followed was a string of historic events as Cristiano Ronaldo went on to break countless records and establish himself as the greatest Real Madrid player ever.
After spending nine eventful seasons in La Liga, the Portuguese international switched to Juventus seeking new challenges. Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Manchester United after spending three seasons in Serie A.
With the star reaching the age of 37, his market value has seen a steady decrease. However, it's an astonishing fact that the same hasn't affected his performance one bit.
#3 Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina/Inter Miami) — €-71.50m
Over the course of his 15-year playing career, Gonzalo Higuain has played for some of the most reputed teams in Europe. After starting off his career at River Plate, Higuain went on to play for Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan and Chelsea.
The Argentine saw the peak of his career during his Real Madrid days. He has scored 107 goals off 190 domestic games for the Spanish juggernaut. However, an increase in competition within the squad saw Higuain forced to move out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
At the age of 33, the former Napoli striker is evidently past his prime and is playing in one of the lower leagues as of now. He currently plays for MLS side Inter Miami, which is co-owned by his former Real Madrid teammate — David Beckham.
#2 Luis Suarez (Uruguay/Atletico Madrid) — €-75.00m
The drop in Luis Suarez's market value should have nothing to do with his current form, achievements or his current club. The Uruguayan is the current La Liga title holder, a front-runner for Pichichi and is in fine form.
However, the drop in the former Barcelona striker's market value should have some link with the gigantic figure that he was at Barcelona five years ago. Suarez still has not lost his touch off the game but it is nothing when compared to what he was alongside Neymar and Messi.
Dubbed the MSN, the trio went onto conquer Europe. Suarez left Barcelona and won La Liga with Atletico Madrid next season. He is currently valued at €15.00m.
#1 Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid) — €-80.00m
Gareth Bale arrived in the Spanish capital by breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's record of being the world's most expensive footballer. He became a Madridista in 2014 for a transfer fee of €100 million.
He won the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League in his first year itself. Thereafter, the Welsh international won three more UCL titles, that too in a row, with the Blancos.
Despite being a player of infinite caliber, Bale was often chained down due to injury woes. He has spent a fair amount of time by the sidelines due to injury and later, after falling out of Zidane's favor.
Gareth Bale is still a crucial figure for his national side and has put up stellar performances for Wales. As of now, Bale is serving the last year of his Real Madrid contract, and is valued at €10.00m.
