The 50 Most Valuable Footballers in the World

Right, the very very first thing we're going to do here is lay some conceptual ground rules, alright? This isn't a list of the 50 best players in the world right now.

If it was that, Lionel Messi would be top. Spoiler: he isn't.

This is a list ranked by how much it would cost to buy these players. Guess what! There's some guesswork involved, because players (outside of Spain, and not even really then) don't have big bolded price tags slapped on their heads.

We're looking at things like the players' ages, how long they've got left on their contracts, how much their club needs to keep hold of them specifically, how much their club would need the money (never forget how smaller clubs get bullied in the market) and all of these things. This is the blue book for world football. You're going to hate it.

Short Contracts, Release Clauses

=50. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Honours Since 2016: DFB-Pokal 2016/17; Bundesliga Player of the Year 2015/16; Bundesliga Team of the Year 2016/17; Bundesliga Torjägerkanone 2016/17; Premier League Golden Boot 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2021
Age: 29
Concerns: How long can he be fast? Also, attitude.
Ceiling: 2016-vintage Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

=50. Thomas Partey

Honours Since 2016: Europa League 2017/18; CAF Team of the Year 2018.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 26
Concerns: Slight limitations lower his peak.
Ceiling: Anchoring midfielder in a league-winning team.

49. Leroy Sane

Honours Since 2016: Premier League 2017/18, 2018/19; FA Cup 2018/19; League Cup 2017/18; 2018/19, 2019/20; PFA Young Player of the Year 2017/18.
Contract Until: 2021
Age: 23
Concerns: Attitude.
Ceiling: Second best player on a Champions League winning team.

48. Ousmane Dembele

Honours Since 2016: DFB-Pokal 2016/17; La Liga 2017/18, 2018/19; Copa del 2017/18; World Cup 2018; Bundesliga Team of the Season 2016/17.
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 22
Concerns: May never be able to play a 38-game season without injuries.
Ceiling: Dries Mertens.

47. Paul Pogba

Honours Since 2016: Serie A 2015/16; League Cup 2016/17; Europa League 2016/17; World Cup 2018; Serie A Team of the Year 2015/16; FIFPro World XI 2nd Team 2016, 2017, 2018; Europa League Player of the Season 2016/17; PFA Team of the Year 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2021
Age: 27
Concerns: Attit---hahaha no. Don't like the look of that ankle though.
Ceiling: Captain and creative force in a Champions League-winning side.

46. Raphael Varane

Honours Since 2016: World Cup 2018; La Liga 2016/17, Champions League 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18; Club World Cup 2016, 2017, 2018; FIFPro World XI 2018, FIFPro World XI 3rd Team 2017.
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 27
Concerns: Has a habit of picking up small muscle injuries, which could shorten his peak span.
Ceiling: 2018 Raphael Varane.

45. Erling Haaland

Honours Since 2016: Austrian Bundesliga 2018/19; Austrian Cup 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 19
Concerns: Max. 18 months until he gets suspended for being a cyborg.
Ceiling: Best player in the world. Done.

44. Kai Havertz

Honours Since 2016: N/A
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 19
Concerns: Unproven on large stage.
Ceiling: Ballon d'Or winner

43. N'Golo Kante

Honours Since 2016: World Cup 2018; Premier League 2015/16, 2016/17; FA Cup 2017/18; Europa League 2018/19; PFA Team of the Year 2015/16, 2016/17; Premier League Player of the Season 2016/17; FIFPro World XI 2018; FIFPro World XI 2nd Team 2017; FIFPro World XI 3rd Team 2016.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 28
Concerns: Positionally limited.
Ceiling: Claude Makelele on PEDs.

42. Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Honours Since 2016: La Liga 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19; Copa del Rey 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18; Confederations Cup 2017; Champions League Squad of the Season 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 27
Concerns: Maybe not perfect under crosses.
Ceiling: World's best goalkeeper for the 2020s.

41. Cristiano Ronaldo

Honours Since 2016: La Liga 2016/17; Champions League 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18; Club World Cup 2017; Serie A 2018/19; Euro 2016; UEFA Nations League 2018/19; Ballon d'Or 2016, 2017; FIFPro World XI 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; La Liga Team of the Season 2015/16, 2016/17; Euro 2016 Silver Boot; World Cup 2018 Dream Team; Serie A Footballer of the Year 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 35
Concerns: He's 35 years old. Also *points at Der Spiegel*.
Ceiling: Peak Javier Hernandez, but big and strong.

40. Mauro Icardi

Honours Since 2016: Ligue 1 2019/20; Capocannoniere 2014/15, 2017/18; Serie A Footballer of the Year 2018.
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 27
Concerns: Wanda Nara.
Ceiling: Top 10 in Ballon d'Or voting.

Available for the Right Price

39. Marcus Rashford

Honours Since 2016: FA Cup 2015/16; League Cup 2016/17; Europa League 2016/17;
Contract Until: 2023(+1)
Age: 22
Concerns: Was on his way to his first 20-goal season before breaking his back. But then he broke his back.
Ceiling: Premier League Golden Boot.

38. Philippe Coutinho

Honours Since 2016: La Liga 2017/18, 2018/19; Copa del Rey 2017/18; Copa America 2019; Europa League Team of the Season 2015/16; FIFA World Cup Dream Team 2018.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 27
Concerns: Hasn't removed flaws from his game for years, teams seem to get better when he leaves.
Ceiling: Second/third fiddle on a Champions League challenger.

37. Paulo Dybala

Honours Since 2016: Serie A 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19; Coppa Italia 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18; Serie A Team of the Year 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18; FIFPro World XI 2nd Team 2017.
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 26
Concerns: Needs to show he can be the man on a top team.
Ceiling: Top 10 Ballon d'Or.

36. Kalidou Koulibaly

Honours Since 2016: CAF Team of the Year 2018, 2019; Serie A Team of the Year 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19; Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament 2019.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 28
Concerns: That's a long career as a very good defender without winning anything...
Ceiling: Virgil van Dijk.

35. Christian Eriksen

Honours Since 2016: PFA Team of the Year 2017/18.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 28
Concerns: Lack of elite ability to control a game.
Ceiling: 60% of Pirlo.

34. Jose Gimenez

Honours Since 2016: Europa League 2017/18; Copa American Team of the Tournament 2019.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 25
Concerns: Is he that good, or has he always had Diego Godin and/or Jan Oblak with him?
Ceiling: Top five world centre-back for the next six to seven seasons.

33. Joshua Kimmich

Honours Since 2016: Bundesliga 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19; DFB-Pokal 2015/16, 2018/19; Confederations Cup 2017; Bundesliga Team of the Year 2018/19; Euro 2016 Team of the Tournament; FIFPro World XI 3rd Team 2018.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 25
Concerns: Can you be the best in the world at one position if you keep being shifted between RB and CM?
Ceiling: If Sergi Roberto was, like, really really good

32. Rodri

Honours Since 2016: League Cup 2019/20.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 23
Concerns: Struggled to keep up his level outside of La Liga so far.
Ceiling: Fernandinho, but better.

31. Jan Oblak

Honours Since 2016: Europa League 2017/18; La Liga Best Goalkeeper 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 27
Concerns: Limited with the ball at his feet.
Ceiling: World's best shot-stopper until 2030.

30. Roberto Firmino

Honours Since 2016: Champions League 2018/19; Club World Cup 2019; Copa America 2019; Champions League Squad of the Season 2017/18.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 28
Concerns: What does he look like when he doesn't have transcendent talent flanking him?
Ceiling: This. This, how he is, now.

29. Dele Alli

Honours Since 2016: PFA Young Player of the Year 2015/16, 2016/17; PFA Team of the Year 2015/16, 2016/17.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 24
Concerns: Has stalled, and may never get the jump-start.
Ceiling: 21-year-old Dele Alli.

28. Serge Gnabry

Honours Since 2016: Bundesliga 2018/19; DFB-Pokal 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 24
Concerns: Well, Tony Pulis didn't rate him.
Ceiling: Top 10 Ballon d'Or.

27. Jadon Sancho

Honours Since 2016: Under-17 World Cup 2017; Bundesliga Team of the Season 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 20
Concerns: Next move could make or break him.
Ceiling: Ballon d'Or winner.

26. Andy Robertson

Honours Since 2016: Champions League 2018/19; Club World Cup 2019; PFA Team of the Year 2018/19; UEFA Team of the Year 2019.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 26
Concerns: World leader, or just playing in the world's leading team?
Ceiling: Putting Ashley Cole's 'best PL left-back' title under threat.

25. Marco Verratti

Honours Since 2016: Ligue 1 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19; Coupe de France 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18; Coupe de la Ligue 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18; Ligue 1 Team of the Year 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19; FIFPro World XI 3rd Team 2017; FIFPro World XI 4th Team 2016.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 26
Concerns: Injuries – he's played 30 league games once in seven seasons at PSG.
Ceiling: 80% of Paul Scholes.

24. Romelu Lukaku

Honours Since 2016: PFA Team of the Year 2016/17; FIFPro World XI 3rd Team 2018.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 26
Concerns: Sigh it's the first touch, isn't it? It's the first touch.
Ceiling: Top scorer in any league.

23. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Honours Since 2016: Coppa Italia 2018/19; Serie A Team of the Year 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 25
Concerns: Never played a Champions League game.
Ceiling: Paul Pogba.

22. Lautaro Martinez

Honours Since 2016: N/A.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 22
Concerns: He's had an amazing half-season...but it's half a season. Is it for real?
Ceiling: Luis Suarez.

21. Mohamed Salah

Honours Since 2016: Champions League 2018/19; Club World Cup 2019; CAF Team of the Year 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; African Footballer of the Year 2017, 2018; PFA Players' Player of the Year 2017/18; Premier League Golden Boot 2017/18, 2018/19; Champions League Squad of the Season 2017/18; FIFA Puskas Award 2018; FIFPro World XI Second Team 2018.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 27
Concerns: Is he getting a little less efficient now people really know his deal?
Ceiling: Golden Boot winner.

Superstars/Long Contracts

20. Alisson

Honours Since 2016: Champions League 2018/19; Club World Cup 2019; Copa America 2019; Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season 2018/19; Premier League Golden Glove 2018/19; Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year 2017/18; Copa America Golden Glove 2019; Yashin Trophy 2019; FIFPro World XI 2019.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 27
Concerns: Still a little erratic, and shot-stopping ability is a little questionable.
Ceiling: World's best goalkeeper.

19. Ederson

Honours Since 2016: Primeira Liga 2015/16, 2016/17; Portuguese Cup 2016/17; Premier League 2017/18, 2018/19; FA Cup 2018/19; League Cup 2017/18, 2018/19; 2019/20; Copa America 2019; PFA Team of the Year 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2025
Age: 26
Concerns: Is he actually a good goalkeeper-goalkeeper?
Ceiling: Prime Manuel Neuer.

18. Bernardo Silva

Honours Since 2016: Ligue 1 2016/17; Premier League 2017/18, 2018/19; FA Cup 2018/19; League Cup 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20; UEFA Nations League 2018/19; PFA Team of the Year 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2025
Age: 25
Concerns: Little bit of a positional 'tweener' – could do with a little more on the defensive end.
Ceiling: This, but with more goals?

17. Aymeric Laporte

Honours Since 2016: Premier League 2017/18, 2018/19; FA Cup 2018/19; League Cup 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20; PFA Team of the Year 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2025
Age: 25
Concerns: Might lack the skill set to truly dominate the world's best.
Ceiling: Best defender on a league-winning team.

16. Sadio Mane

Honours Since 2016: Champions League 2018/19; Club World Cup 2018/19; PFA Team of the Year 2016/17, 2018/19; Premier League Golden Boot 2018/19; UEFA Team of the Year 2019; Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Year 2019; African Footballer of the Year 2019.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 28
Concerns: Needs a strong defender behind him.
Ceiling: Best player for a Champions League winner.

15. Matthijs de Ligt

Honours Since 2016: Eredivisie 2018/19; KNVB Cup 2018/19; Eredivisie Team of the Year 2017/18, 2018/19; Golden Boy 2018.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 19
Concerns: ???????????
Ceiling: Top 5 centre-back of all time.

14. Saul Niguez

Honours Since 2016: Europa League 2017/18; Europa League Squad of the Season 2017/18.
Contract Until: 2026
Age: 25
Concerns: Is he getting a little too comfortable in his safe space at Atleti?
Ceiling: The Jordan Henderson-esque driving force in a Champions League-winning team, with a little more of a drive into the box.

13. Vinicius Jr.

Honours Since 2016: Club World Cup 2018.
Contract Until: 2025
Age: 19
Concerns: Composure, finishing, decision-making. Teenagers have flaws.
Ceiling: Franck Ribery.

12. Kevin de Bruyne

Honours Since 2016: Premier League 2017/18, 2018/19; FA Cup 2018/19; League Cup 2015/16; 2017/18; 2018/19; 2019/20; UEFA Team of the Year 2017, 2019; PFA Team of the Year 2017/18; FIFA World Cup Dream Team 2018; FIFPro World XI 2nd Team 2018; FIFPro World XI 3rd Team 2016.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 28
Concerns: Did 2018/19 show that his body's more fragile that he'd like?
Ceiling: Ballon d'Or winner.

11. Eden Hazard

Honours Since 2016: Premier League 2016/17; FA Cup 2017/18; Europa League 2018/19; FIFPro World XI 2018, 2019; World Cup Silver Ball 2018; Europa League Player of the Season 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 29
Concerns: Buy him now and you'll watch his resale value plummet every day he ages. Also, fitness.
Ceiling: Best player for a Champions League winner.

10. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Honours Since 2016: Champions League 2018/19; Club World Cup 2019; PFA Team of the Year 2018/19; UEFA Team of the Year 2019.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 21
Concerns: Defending. Can he...do it? Does he want to do it? Does he still want to be a midfielder?
Ceiling: Dani Alves.

9. Antoine Griezmann

Honours Since 2016: Europa League 2017/18; World Cup 2018; Ballon d'Or 3rd Place 2016; La Liga Best Player 2016; Europa League Player of the Season 2017/18; Euro 2016 Player of the Tournament; World Cup Bronze Ball 2018; World Cup Silver Boot 2018; FIFPro World XI 2nd Team 2016; FIFPro World XI 3rd Team 2018.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 29
Concerns: Did he miss his peak by staying too long at Atleti and then moving to the wrong team?
Ceiling: Ballon d'Or winner. Once.

8. Frenkie de Jong

Honours Since 2016: Eredivisie 2018/19; KNVB Cup 2018/19; Eredivisie Player of the Season 2018/19; FIFPro World XI 2019.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 22
Concerns: There have been a lot of very good 21/22-year-olds who never become astonishingly good 26-year-olds.
Ceiling: Andres Iniesta. But like, Dutch.

7. Lionel Messi

Honours Since 2016: La Liga 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19; Copa del Rey 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18; Ballon d'Or 2019; European Golden Shoe 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19; La Liga Best Player 2017/18, 2018/19; Pichichi 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19; FIFPro World XI 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.
Contract Until: 2021
Age: 32
Concerns: He is, theoretically, getting old.
Ceiling: Two more Ballons d'Or.

6. Neymar

Honours Since 2016: La Liga 2015/16; Copa del Rey 2015/16, 2016/17; Ligue 1 2017/18, 2018/19; Coupe de France 2017/18; Olympic Gold Medal 2016; Ligue 1 Player of the Year 2017/18; Ligue 1 Team of the Year 2017/18, 2018/19; FIFPro World XI 2017; FIFPro World XI 2nd Team 2016, 2018.
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 28
Concerns: Hasn't spent a full season fit since he left Barcelona.
Ceiling: Ballon d'Or winner.

5. Joao Felix

Honours Since 2016: Primeira Liga 2018/19; Nations League 2018/19; Golden Boy 2019; Primeira Liga Best Young Player 2018/19
Contract Until: 2026
Age: 20
Concerns: Questions over durability and hasn't exploded in Madrid (yet).
Ceiling: What ceiling?

4. Raheem Sterling

Honours Since 2016: Premier League 2017/18, 2018/19; FA Cup 2018/19; League Cup 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20; Champions League Squad of the Season 2018/19; PFA Team of the Year 2018/19; PFA Young Player of the Year 2018/19; FWA Footballer of the Year 2018/19.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 25
Concerns: Can he be a leading man by himself?
Ceiling: Golden Boot winner.

3. Kylian Mbappe

Honours Since 2016: Ligue 1 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19; Coupe de France 2017/18; World Cup 2018; Ligue 1 Player of the Year 2018/19; Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19; Ligue 1 Golden Boot 2018/19; Champions League Team of the Season 2016/17; UEFA Team of the Year 2018; FIFA World Cup Dream Team 2018; FIFPro World XI 2018, 2019, FIFPro World XI 3rd Team 2017.
Contract Until: 2022
Age: 21
Concerns: Maybe he'll...get bored?
Ceiling: Best player of his generation.

2. Harry Kane

Honours Since 2016: Premier League Golden Boot 2015/16, 2016/17; PFA Team of the Year 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18; World Cup Golden Boot 2018; World Cup Dream Team 2018; FIFPro World XI 2nd Team 2018.
Contract Until: 2024
Age: 26
Concerns: Ankles.
Ceiling: Fit Harry Kane.

1. Virgil van Dijk

Honours Since 2016: Champions League 2018/19; Club World Cup 2019; PFA Players' Player of the Year 2018/19; Premier League Player of the Season 2018/19; UEFA Men's Player of the Year 2018/19; UEFA Team of the Year 2018, 2019; FIFPro World XI 2019.
Contract Until: 2023
Age: 28
Concerns: He...we...nope. Got nothing.
Ceiling: Best defender in the world. Like how he is now.

For more from Chris Deeley, follow him on Twitter at @ThatChris1209!