Over €1.2 billion worth of talented players - the 2023 most valuable starting XI in the world

©Imago/Content stadium

Following the Transfermarkt market value updates of all the major European leagues, we can now take a look at which star players have made it into the 2023 most valuable XI. When compared to last season’s team, this collection of players comes in with a combined market value of €1.23 billion - no less than €130 million more than the team that was put together 12 months ago. Which goes some way to indiciating how many of the world’s best players have improved dramatically over the course of the last 10 months. 

To no great surprise, the world’s joint most valuable players share the limelight in attack as both Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland lead the line with identical market values of €180m. Once again, they are joined by Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, who retains his title as the most valuable left-winger in the world with a value of €150m. However, this year’s starting XI has a now face in the form of Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, whose new market value of €120m now puts him above Man City rival Phil Foden and as such the young England international has replaced his compatriot in this year’s team. 

In midfield it is back-to-back praise for Jamal Musiala and Jude Bellingham, who retain their spots in the centre of the pitch. Following his high-profile move to Madrid, Bellingham has gained no less than €50m in market value since he featured in this team last season. And while Musiala has only gained €10m in the same period, that has proven to be more than enough to put him in the side ahead of other excellent talents that are valued at €100m, such as Pedri, Federico Valverde, Rodri and Declan Rice. Whether both players can retain their spots in 2024 will undoubtedly be down to how they and their respective clubs do this season.  

Market Value

J. Gvardiol Centre-Back

€75.00m

There are also some familiar faces in defence, where Rúben Dias retains his title as the joint most valuable central defender in the world. This year he is joined alongside fellow Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol, who has leapfrogged a number of established central defenders to make it into the starting XI. Bayern Munich talent Alphonso Davies remains the most valuable left-back in the world, beating Paris Saint-Germain talent Nuno Mendes (€65m) to the role. While at right-back, a €15m decrease in market value for Chelsea defender Reece James over the course of the last 12 months now means that Achraf Hakimi has now become the most valuable player in the world in that position. 

There was a fascinating battle between the posts to see which goalkeeper made it into the team, with no less than four shot-stoppers sitting level on market value at €45m each. However, due to being the youngest by just seven months, Porto star Diogo Costa has just managed to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to the position on account of him being slightly younger. 

The most valuable XI in the world