12 hours ago
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Top 15 ranked
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Few competitions in all of sport can rival the popularity of the World Cup, and for many footballers, even getting to take part in the tournament is the pinnacle of their careers. Winning the famous trophy etches the names of each player into the history books of their respective nations, and in turn, they become legends of the game. However, this summer’s World Cup isn’t just about glory and career highlights. For many of the world’s biggest stars, it’s almost an opportunity to bounce back after a dreadful season.
Indeed, some of the biggest names across European football have suffered poor form or unfortunate injuries this season and, as a result, have seen their market values plummet. But, hopefully, the World Cup and the opportunity to swap their misfiring club teammates for in-form compatriots in North America could prove to be exactly what some players are in desperate need of. So which out-of-form stars need a strong World Cup the most? Ranked by players who have lost the most market value in the last 12 months, we’ve compiled an intriguing list of household names.
Starting at the bottom of the list in 15th place is former Liverpool striker and current Al-Hilal outcast Darwin Núñez. The towering striker looks set to depart the Saudi Arabian club this summer and will be hoping to continue his solid goalscoring form for Uruguay - 13 goals in 38 games - at the World Cup to court a new club. Three other strikers join Núñez in the form of Omar Marmoush, Marcus Thuram and none other than Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian duo have lost €25m and €28m in market value respectively this season, while Thuram has seen his market value plummet to €50m at Inter Milan. Barcelona and Spain midfielder Gavi takes 11th place after serious injuries ruled him out for most of the season and his market value was halved as a result.
Fellow Spaniard Nico Williams also makes the list after a season to forget for Athletic Bilbao - just six goals and seven assists in 32 games - alongside Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, who all lost €30m in market value this season. In seventh place is Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who will be hoping to put a nightmare injury-ravaged season behind him at Liverpool to bounce back at the World Cup and claw back some of the €35m market value he lost at Anfield. Sixth place goes to Uruguay’s Federico Valverde, who saw his market value fall from €130m to €90m this season.
Two Germans make it into the top five in the form of Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. Both players will be crucial to any hopes of Julian Nagelsmann’s side winning the World Cup this summer, but will have to put underperforming seasons behind them that saw them both lose €40m in market value. They’re joined by English duo Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, who saw €40m and €50m respectively, get removed from their market values. And, in the unenviable position of first place on this list is none other than Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who saw his market value fall from €110m to just €50m, partly due to his age but predominantly down to the fact that he’s struggled for fitness and form in the Premier League. Perhaps a strong World Cup may be the perfect stage for the towering midfielder to remind the world of his talents.
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