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Exclusive TM data
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Football is undisputedly the most global sport in the world with an estimated 3.5 billion fans across the planet. People from every continent are fanatical about the beautiful game with over 5 billion people tuning in across the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The tournament was dominated by Lionel Messi, one of the most recognisable players in history, as Argentina lifted the coveted trophy.
While the majority of the best players in the world play in Europe’s top five leagues, football is growing in new markets like the United States and China. From Transfermarkt’s famed market values, eight of the top ten most valuable players in the world are European with Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and Uruguay's Federico Valverde the exceptions. But which nations have the most valuable collection of players? Using our exclusive data, we’ve combined the market values of every player with a valuation from each nation to find out.
Which nation has the most valuable collection of players in the world?
England has the most valuable collection of footballers in the world with 1,862 players with a combined market value of €4.96 billion. Despite not winning a major international tournament for almost 60 years, England has a plethora of talent at Thomas Tuchel’s disposal with five players valued at €100m or higher - Jude Bellingham is the most valuable Englishman at €180m. Brazil ranks second with the South American superpower’s 2,759 players boasting a combined market value of €4.85b.
As the graphic above illustrates, Vinicius’ Jr is the fifth most valuable player in the world at €170m, Erling Haaland, and his Real Madrid teammate Rodrygo and Barcelona star Raphinha are tied at €90m. Spain rank third with 3,988 players totalling €4.63b with Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal the most valuable player in the world at €200m. France take fourth place with Kylian Mbappé (€180m) their most valuable player.
Reigning world champions Argentina complete the top five, despite Alexis Mac Allister being their only €100m play. All the other five nations in the top ten are European with Portugal, Netherlands and Belgium all having under 1,000 professional players with assigned market values. The United States are the first non-European or South American nation to feature at 15th, while Morocco are the top African nation at 17th.
