KPMG computed player values across the world and came up with their most valuable XI which comprised names like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, was a conspicuous absentee.
KPMG’s Football Benchmark calculates the market value of players the world over and they compiled the most expensive ones into a playing XI.
Unsurprisingly, the teams winning the two of biggest trophies in football – the World Cup and the Champions League – find heavy representation on the team.
4 players are from the World Cup winning France squad, namely Raphael Varane, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe – who is incidentally the highest valued player in the world at €225 million.
Almost the entire backline comprise players from European Champions Liverpool – goalkeeper Alisson, fullbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson and centreback Virgil van Dijk.
Lionel Messi makes the right wing spot with a valuation of €190 million while Neymar and Kylian Mbappe complete the attacking trident. Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is somewhat of a surprising inclusion after a quiet and injury curtailed 2018/19 season, but he completed the midfield trio alongside Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.
Notably, 7 players in the 11 are from the English Premier League. And conspicuous by his absence is Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 34, doesn’t command a high enough valuation to break into the XI.