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In a recent release by the CIES Football Observatory, their statistical model has unveiled its latest rankings of the globe’s 100 most prized football players.
Among the notable mentions are five stars from Manchester United who have secured their spots on this prestigious list.
The CIES Football Observatory, based in Switzerland, has placed Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham at the pinnacle of this list. Bellingham boasts a staggering transfer value of €267.5m, leading the pack.
Following closely are Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior, both valued over the €250m mark, completing the top three positions.
The group responsible for this extensive research, the CIES Football Observatory, operates within the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES). It is renowned for its expertise in the statistical analysis of football, as noted on their official website.
Their unique model incorporates various factors, including age, the length of the player’s contract, their career trajectory, and international status. Additionally, economic aspects like inflation, alongside the sporting and financial stature of the player’s club, are also weighed in.
For fans of Manchester United, the standout revelation from the list is the inclusion of five of their players. Leading the way for the Red Devils is Marcus Rashford, who finds himself in 14th place with a value of €136.2M. Rashford, previously rated as the most valuable player by the same organization, now ranks higher than global sensations such as Kylian Mbappe and Declan Rice in 2024.
The lower valuation of Mbappe is speculated to be linked to his contract situation at Paris Saint-Germain, now in its final six months.
The list then drops to 41st place to spot United’s new striking sensation, Rasmus Hojlund, who is valued at €99.7m.
Another notable young talent from United, Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho, is estimated to be worth €94.5m, placing him just inside the top 50.
United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, appears further down at 61st with a valuation of €85.5m, surpassing players like Éder Militão and Leroy Sané.
Rounding off the Manchester United contingent is Antony, whose inclusion at 72nd place with a value of €80.1m might come as a surprise to many fans of the club.
