Lookman, Osimhen, Boniface snubbed as Jude Bellingham top list of 'world's most valuable' footballers
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Lookman, Osimhen, Boniface snubbed as Jude Bellingham top list of 'world's most valuable' footballers | IMAGO

Lookman, Osimhen, Boniface snubbed as Jude Bellingham top list of 'world's most valuable' footballers

David Ben 11:24 - 30.05.2024

Ballon d'Or favourite Bellingham has maintained his lead as the world's most valuable footballer in 2024, ahead of the Champions League final this weekend.

Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham, has ascended to the zenith of football's valuation rankings, claiming the title of 'the world's most valuable player'. 

With an extraordinary season under his belt, Bellingham's explosive moments and performances have seen him earn shouts for the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards

Since his arrival at Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, the Three Lions star has consistently dazzled on the pitch, amassing an impressive tally of 23 goals and 12 assists across 42 appearances in all competitions. 

Jude Bellingham world's most expensive footballer
LALIGA Player of the Season, Jude Bellingham has been named the most valuable footballer in the world | Credit: IMAGO

Under the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti, Bellingham scooped home the LaLiga Player of the Season in his debut campaign in Spain.

Ahead of this weekend’s Champions League final at Wembley, the 20-year-old has been crowned the most-expensive player in world football by CIES Football Observatory, with his transfer value estimated to be €280m, eclipsing the valuations of other top-tier talents in the sport.

Bellingham sealed top spot ahead of Man City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who is currently valued at €255.3 million and Vinicius Junior, valued at €240.8 million.

Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has won back-to-back Golden Boots (Credit: Man City)
Vinicius Junior is one of the most valuable footballers in the world
Vinicius Junior is one of the most valuable footballers in the world | Credit: IMAGO

Super Eagles stars’ valuation rollercoaster: Boniface, Osimhen, and Lookman

While Jude Bellingham basks in the glory of his newfound status, Super Eagles of Nigerian stars Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman find themselves navigating the peaks and troughs of football's valuation landscape.

Victor Boniface most valuable Nigerian footballer
Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen is now the most expensive Nigerian footballer in the world (Imago/kolbert-press)

Victor Boniface's remarkable season with Bayer Leverkusen has thrust him into the spotlight of football's valuation rankings.

 His pivotal role in Leverkusen's historic Bundesliga triumph, coupled with standout individual performances, has propelled his market value to €86.5 million, making him the most valuable Nigerian footballer according to CIES.

 However, despite his meteoric rise, Boniface's ascent has been overshadowed by Bellingham's dominance atop the valuation rankings.

In contrast, Victor Osimhen's fortunes have taken a downturn following Napoli's underwhelming campaign.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen (Imago/NurPhoto)

 Despite maintaining his position among the world's most valuable footballers, Osimhen's market value has witnessed a decline to €85.6 million. 

Ademola Lookman's electrifying performances for club and country have failed to translate into a coveted spot among football's most valuable players. 

Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman has netted 10 Serie A goals for Atalanta this term (Imago/LaPresse)

Despite his heroics for Atalanta in the Europa League finals and standout displays at AFCON 2023, Lookman remains absent from the top 100 list.

Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman lifts the Europa League title after a historic display against Bayer Leverkusen.

Elsewhere, Premier League stars featured prominently in the rest of the list, with Barca starlet Lamine Yamal (€140.8m) and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz (€133.8m) the other players from other leagues to feature in the remainder of the top ten, after impressing for their respective clubs this season.

Man City playmaker Phil Foden is fifth on the list (€203.8m) after a dazzling campaign that has saw him win the Player of the Season award, having scored 19 goals in 35 league appearances.

Phil Foden
Phil Foden celebrates his sixth Premier League title with Manchester City | Credit: Instagram

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is valued just behind his international teammate, with the Gunners’ academy product claimed to be worth  €195.2m.

Foden’s City teammate Julian Alvarez is ranked seventh in the list with a price tag of €168.4m, having been given a new role in Pep Guardiola’s line up.

Martin Odegaard is the final Premier League player in the top ten, with the Arsenal skipper sitting in ninth place on the list.

 The Norwegian playmaker enjoyed another impressive season for the Gunners, and he earned himself a valuation of €135.6 million.