The latest CIES Football Observatory list of the top 100 estimated transfer values for players worldwide was released Monday, and on the strength of signing a three-year contract extension at PSG, Kylian Mbappé is once again the world's most valuable soccer player with it costing an estimated $220.3 million to take him away from the Parc des Princes.
The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer before opting to renew in Paris, but second on the list is 21-year-old Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior at $198 million. Vini Jr was instrumental in Real's Champions League and LaLiga double this past season with 21 goals and 20 assists in 48 appearances across those competitions.
His contract at the Santiago Bernabéu runs through 2023-24 but the club is trying to extend it through the 2027-28 campaign.
The second coming of Paul Bunyan is third; Erling Haaland's value is up to $163 million after the 21-year-old finalized his move to Manchester City following the activation of his $64 million release clause at Borussia Dortmund.
Rounding out the top five is 19-year-old Barcelona sprite Pedri ($144 million) and silky smooth English operator Jude Bellingham ($142 million).
There's room for two Americans in the list.
Chelsea's Christian Pulisic comes in at No. 87 (one spot above Son Heung-min and six back of Mohamed Salah) with a valuation of nearly $57 million. The Blues paid $73 million for him back in 2019, but Pulisic's struggled with injuries and his form has fluctuated in three seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona's Sergiño Dest is right behind him at No. 90 with a $56 million valuation. Barça paid Ajax under $28 million for his services, so that goes some way towards explaining why he's linked with a move away from the cash-strapped Camp Nou every week.
In an early World Cup victory for the USMNT over England, Dest is one place above Harry Maguire, who's valued at $55 million. Manchester United paid $100 million for him in 2019.
Top 20 Most Valuable Soccer Players In The World 2022
#1. Kylian Mbappé (PSG) - $220 million
#2. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) - $198 million
#3. Erling Haaland (Man City) - $163 million
#4. Pedri (Barcelona) - $144 million
#5. Jude Bellingham (Dortmund) - $143 million
#6. Phil Foden (Man City) - $133 million
#7. Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) - $120 million
#8. Luis Díaz (Liverpool) - $118 million
#9. Rúben Dias (Man City) - $117 million
#10. Ferran Torres (Barcelona) - $117 million
#11. Lautaro Martínez (Inter) - $114 million
#12. Jamal Musiala (Bayern) - $113 million
#13. Jadon Sancho (Man Utd) - $110 million
#14. Mason Mount (Chelsea) - $107 million
#15. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - $107 million
#16. Joško Gvardiol (Leipzig) - $107 million
#17. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) - $105 million
#18. Nicolò Barella (Inter) - $101 million
#19. Kai Havertz (Chelsea) - $100 million
#20. João Félix (Atlético) - $97 million
