It's an exciting time to be a football fan, as so many elite talents across the top leagues are vying for individual supremacy. The duopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have made way for the others and the field is now wide open for talented footballers around the world to build their own fortress. The CIES Football Observatory came up with a list of the most valuable players in 2025, which can give you a great idea of some of the most popular names in the list.
Who Are the Most Valuable Footballers in 2025?
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) - €251 Million (INR XX Crore)
Jude Bellingham is the most valuable player in the world. In a team that has players like Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric and Vinicius Jr, it's Bellingham who comes across as the main leader, never shying away from taking responsibility and often scoring in crucial moments.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City ) - €221.5 Million
Erling Haaland has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining Manchester City, establishing himself as the most prolific goal scorer, topping the goal-scoring charts in all seasons so far. In his debut season under Pep Guardiola, Haaland shattered the Premier League by netting an astonishing 36 goals and eight assists. He has never looked back since then. If any teams require his service, they'll have to pay a whopping €221.5 Million.
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) - €205.7 Million
Vinicius Junior has established himself among the most sought-after wingers in the world of football. He has had a sensational season with Real Madrid in 2023-24 and was nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or. He played an instrumental role in Madrid's Champions League triumph last season, scoring crucial goals in the knockout stages.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) - €180.3 Million
It makes no sense that a player as staggeringly brilliant and consistent as Lamine Yamal is still a teenager. Yamal lit up the stage in the Euros, single-handedly guiding his country to the championship title. Even in a struggling Barcelona team, Yamal is always the bright spot, and this makes him one of the most valuable players in the world.
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) - €175.2 Million
Kylian Mbappe is still finding his feet in Real Madrid, and has already scored multiple winning goals. Once he's attuned to life in a new country, facing Real Madrid would become the most threatening proposition for opponents. With a market value of €175.2 million, Mbappe is ranked fifth in the list of most valuable player.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal FC) - €157.3 Million
Bukayo Saka has been the real deal for Arsenal's resurgence. Coming up straight from the club's academy, Saka's turned into a top-notch player. With his blazing speed, dexterous footwork, and goal-scoring prowess, he's a big player in Arsenal's offence.
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) - €151.2 Million
Florian Wirtz enjoyed a remarkable 2023-24 season with Bayer Leverkusen, where returned to top form after a serious injury and played a crucial role in guiding the club to their historic Bundesliga triumph. This season he has already scored seven goals and is on the radar of many top clubs.
