WHO is the best footballer on the planet right now: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
That argument has been furiously debated for over a decade now.
But apparently, NEITHER is the most-valuable player on the planet, according to Transfermarkt.
Of course, value is subject to many factors, including age, contract length, club and international caps.
We’ve broken down which stars make the top ten, in reverse order – and Ronaldo doesn’t even make the cut…
10. ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
Barcelona – £113million
Griezmann just cracks the top ten most valuable players in the world
THE Barcelona striker, 28, is arguably reaching the peak years of his career now at the Nou Camp.
After a hugely successful spell at Atletico Madrid, Griezmann is now a World Cup winner with France.
9. JADON SANCHO
Borussia Dortmund – £113m
Jadon Sancho is sought after by the likes of Chelsea and Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
THE England superstar is being tipped with a move back to the Premier League having left Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are just a few teams desperate to sign the flying winger – who, incredibly, is still learning his trade at just 19-years-old.
Dortmund have all-but admitted they know they will lose their star man this summer – but they can certainly be credited with his rapid development from unknown youngster to world superstar.
8. LIONEL MESSI
Barcelona – £132m
Lionel Messi has slipped to eighth in the list of most valuable playersCredit: Getty Images
ONCE the most-valuable player on the planet, Messi has slipped down the list to eighth worth “only” £132m.
The Argentine is now 32-years-old and with his current contract at Barcelona running down, his value is only lowered for those reasons.
Regardless, Messi is still one of the best players on the planet and has many more years to give at the pinnacle of world football.
7. KEVIN DE BRUYNE
Man City – £141m
De Bruyne sits above Messi in the list of most valuable starsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
THE best passer in the world, a two-time Premier League champion and part of the Belgium side that came third at the 2018 World Cup…
There’s absolutely no doubt De Bruyne is one of the best players ever to grace the game with his elegant play in the heart of the pitch.
At £141m, De Bruyne feels arguably a bit under-priced…
6. HARRY KANE
Tottenham – £141m
Harry Kane has netted 17 goals in 25 appearances this seasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
ENGLAND’s captain and talisman, Kane is another star valued at £141m by Transfermarkt.
Cruelly struck down by injuries during his career, you can only dream what the Spurs star could have become without them.
Kane could now opt to leave North London in a bid to finally win some silverware after 16 years at the club, including his youth years.
5. MOHAMED SALAH
Liverpool – £141m
Mohamed Salah has been in the form of his life since joining LiverpoolCredit: EPA
PART of Liverpool’s fearsome front-three, Salah is unrecognisable from his Chelsea days now in Anfield red.
Skilful on the ball, devastatingly quick and with a ferocious left foot, there’s little wonder Salah is valued at £141m.
A target of Real Madrid in recent seasons, Salah is only let down by his occasional tendency to avoid looking up and playing that killer final ball, instead opting for the shot.
That said, he’s still managed 16 goals and six assists this season…
4. SADIO MANE
Liverpool – £141m
Sadio Mane has been in electric form for the Reds this seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
LEVEL with his Reds team-mate is another part of that world-beating trio, Mane.
The Senegalese star has arguably been Liverpool’s best player this season – scoring 14 times and adding seven assists – as they sit 25 points clear in their bid to win their first-ever Premier League crown.
An outrageously talented winger, Mane is adept at cutting inside and terrorising defenders and seamlessly switching positions with Roberto Firmino to create space.
3. NEYMAR
PSG – £151m
Neymar sits third on the list – and could move back to Barcelona in the summerCredit: Reuters
THE marmite of football, you either love him or hate him…
Brilliantly talented, on his day Neymar is utterly unplayable – but his tendency to spend half the game on the ground can certainly irk football fans,.
Valued at £151m, joint second on this list, he is now worth LESS than the £198m PSG paid for him in 2017.
2. RAHEEM STERLING
Man City – £151m
Sterling has gone from strength to strength under GuardiolaCredit: AP:Associated Press
LEVEL with the Brazilian is Man City and England superstar Sterling – whose progression under Pep Guardiola has been phenomenal.
Now boasting a clinical edge in front of goal, Sterling certainly has his best years ahead of him at just 25 years old.
Valued at £151m, you could see Sterling being the world’s most-expensive footballer one day, should he leave City – but there’s one problem…
1. KYLIAN MBAPPE
PSG – £189m
World Cup winner Mbappe is the most valuable player on the planetCredit: AFP or licensors
…AND that problem is called Kylian Mbappe.
The France superstar is even younger than Sterling at just 20 years old – and he’s already arguably the best striker on the planet.
Devastatingly quick and with more than an eye for goal, fans are itching to see what Mbappe can do outside of Ligue 1.
And they may just get their wish, with Real Madrid said to be keen on signing him this summer.
It’s hard to see him not becoming the first £200m footballer, either…
PSG could lose Kylian Mbappe this summer with a ‘big possibility’ he joins Real Madrid in £257m transfer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
