The more time passes, the more it feels like the world of football is spiralling out of control when it comes to expenditure. Back in the day, hitting the one million-pound mark represented a massive achievement – nowadays that amount secures a guest appearance at best.
Defense midfielders Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice moved for nine figures in the 2023 summer transfer season, with the former smashing all records for the most expensive Premier League transfer in history. Given that 100 million pounds secure a 21-year-old with barely a full year of UK top-flight experience, what’s the cost for the most valuable players on the planet?
Before we dive into our list of the most expensive football players to date, don’t forget that if you want to place a wager on any of these players or their teams, you’ll need to find a reputable sports betting platform. For the best options, there’s no better place to look than the best SA real money online casino. Such a platform will offer top-notch betting opportunities and ensure a secure and enjoyable experience.
10 Most Expensive Footballers of 2024
According to the latest valuations carried out by Transfermarkt, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are the most expensive football players this year, each valued at around £152 million (€180). Let’s find out more.
1. Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, €180m
At the young age of 20, Bellingham lands first place in this hall of fame, with a current market value of around €180 million. The brilliant British attacking midfielder was the youngest player on Birmingham City’s team, hitting the field at the age of 16 and never looking back, while his transfer to Borussia Dortmund set the world record for the highest transfer fee for a 17-year-old player. Bellingham transferred to Real Madrid in 2023, scoring 19 goals in his first season helping Madrid secure the La Liga championship. Bellingham also plays on the national team for England.
2. Erling Haaland, Manchester City, €180m
Some might say that Norwegian Erling Haaland, who plays as a striker for Premier League club Man City inherited much of his talent from his father, former City player Alfie, but this young man has proven himself along the way. Haaland has enjoyed an exciting career so far, landing the title for the most goals scored by a player in the UEFA Champion’s League Cup during the FIFA Under 20s. He’s also known for being the first player in the history of the Bundesliga to have scored five goals during the first two matches.
3. Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, €180m
This Brazilian left-winger currently plays for Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Kicking off his career at the age of 16, Junior was promptly acquired by Real Madrid for a notable £38 million, setting the national record for the most expensive under-18 player at the time. Career highlights for this promising player include FIFA’s best player award during the 2022 World Cup, as well as making several significant contributions that would eventually help Real Madrid secure the La Liga title.
4. Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid, €180m
Playing centre forward for Real Madrid and holding the role of captain on the French national team, Mbappe is the next expensive player to make it to our list in 2024. Born and raised in Paris, this player started his career with Monaco before moving to Paris Saint-German two years later. So far, Mbappe has won the Golden Boy award in 2017, the Kopa Trophy, the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award, and the French Player of the Year in 2018, as well as the Onze de Bronze in 2019 amongst others. In July 2024, Mbappe was welcomed by Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in front of 80,000 fans, the same amount Christiano Ronaldo drew in back during his presentation in 2009.
5. Phil Foden, Man City, €150m
The 24-year-old right winger for Manchester City and the England national team made his first professional breakthrough when he won the FIFA under-17 World Cup Golden Ball award, marked his debut for City, as well as being named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year back in 2017. Since then, Foden has made over 200 appearances for the club, while also becoming the club’s youngest goal scorer during the UEFA’s Champions League and the youngest player to receive a Premier League winner medal during the 2018-19 season. Foden was also named Premier League Young Player of the Season and of the Year in 2021 and 2022 respectively, while in 2024 he was named Premier League Player of the Season, finishing with a new personal best of 27 goals.
6. Bukayo Saka, Arsenal, €140m
This 22-year-old British right winger plays for Arsenal and the England national team and is considered one of the best wingers on the planet. Spending his entire first-team club career with the mighty Arsenal, Saka has won two FA Community Shields, an FA Cup as well as Arsenal’s Player of the Season award in both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Other notable accomplishments include being named England’s Men’s Player of the Year during the 2021-22 and the 2022-23 seasons.
7. Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusn, €130m
Born in May 2003, Florian Richard Wirtz is an attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen while also playing on the German national team. Regarded as one of Germany’s football prodigies, Wirtz started his football career in 2008 with SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiler, before being transferred to 1. FC Koln in 2010 and Bayer Leverkusen in 2020. Known for playing wide on the left in the position of inverted winger, Wirtz is known for his offensive mindset and dynamic midfield tactics which allow him to cover an impressive amount of ground.
8. Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich, €130m
This German attacking midfielder and winger for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich also plays for the German national team. Dubbed ‘bambi’ due to his incredible abilities when it comes to dribbling, Musiala is easily considered one of the best players in the world at the moment. At the age of 16, he chose to leave Chelsea to join Bayern Munich, making his professional debut in 2020. Since then, he has been named the youngest Bayern Munich player, first hitting the field as a substitute at the age of 17.
9. Rodri, Manchester City, €130m
Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, or Rodri, is a defensive midfielder for Manchester City who also plays for the Spain national team. Known for his incredible tactical abilities, accurate passes and creative versatility, here’s another footballer that’s right up there in the hall of fame. Representing Spain in the Euros of 2022, the World Cup in 2022 and the Euro 2024, Rodri has won the best player of the final’s tournament award, as well as being named overall Player of the Tournament.
10. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona, €120m
Barcelona’s first ‘number 19’, Lamine Yamal is a Spanish footballer who plays as a right winger for Barcelona FC as well as for the Spain national team. Starting his career with La Liga club Barcelona in 2014 and committing ever since, Yamal has amassed several accolades to his name, including the most recent Young Player of the Tournament award during the UEFA Euros 2024, with the final 2-1 result against England making him the youngest player to ever win the Euros.
