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The CIES football observatory recently produced a list of the world's most valuable players of 2023.
When the CIES football observatory rated the world's most valuable players of 2023, several eyebrows were raised as to why they ranked the players in the way that they did.
The average football fan would have expected both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to naturally make the top two, but were set for a surprise when one of the two superstar players barely made the top 10.
Pulse Sports Kenya brings you the ten most valuable players in world football:
10. Kylian Mbappe – $174M
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Kylian Mbappe is the 10th in the list of the world’s most valuable players of 2023. The Parisian forward who scored eight goals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup to win the Golden Boot, has continued to shine individually but his sides have had a disappointing season.
First, France lost the World Cup final in 2022 on penalties. Upon returning to PSG, his side were knocked out of the Champions League round of 16, and the club went through challenges as Lionel Messi and Neymar were attacked by frustrated fans who demanded they leave, leaving the side unsettled although they retained their Ligue 1 title.
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9. Phil Foden – $178M
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Although Manchester City are enroute to complete a first treble since Manchester United in 1999, it has largely been in spite of Phil Foden’s contributions particularly since the World Cup.
However, Foden is Manchester City’s future jewel. Due to his age and potential, he is among the top 10 most valuable players in the world.
The midfielder-cum-winger has been disrupted by injury, but will be hoping that Pep Guardiola retains faith in him ahead of the start of next season, given he is the crown jewel of City’s future.
8. Jamal Musiała – $182M
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Eight on the list of CIES’s most valuable players in the world, the nimble-footed youngster has scored 13 times and provided 10 assists in 33 games for Bayern in all competitions.
His goal helped the German giants to win the Bundesliga in their last league match of the season at Borussia Dortmund’s expense.
His presence in the midfield makes the job easy for the strikers as his through balls, passing in the final third and ability to work his way through tight spaces is exceptional.
He is one of the most promising talents in the world of football and England will be full of regret as to why they let the youngster declare for Germany internationally.
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7. Gavi – $186M
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18-year-old Barcelona midfielder Gavi is the youngest player on the list of the most valuable players in World Football. The Spain international, whose Barca contract does not expire until June 2026, has all it takes to climb up the list in the coming years. He is already the youngest ever player to represent Spain at international level and has played at a FIFA World Cup.
The La Masia graduate has shown maturity beyond his years in the 2022-23 season. He has rarely lost his cool, combined well with his teammates, and has not shied away from putting in the work.
Just over a year and a half since making his debut for Barcelona and then for the Spanish national team, his rise to the top has been superb and alongside fellow youngster Pedri, has put smiles and hope on the face of Barcelona fans.
He has scored twice and provided five assists in 36 games for Barcelona in all competitions this season.
6. Pedri – $190M
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Pedri is currently Barcelona’s most valuable player and sixth on the list of the world’s most valuable players of 2023.
The 20-year-old, who has been a regular at the club since 2021, will be tied to Barcelona until June 2026. Despite his young age, Pedri has emerged as a natural heir to Xavi and Iniesta for both the Barcelona and the Spain team, with whom he reached a Euro 2020 semi-final and the round of 16 of the Qatar World Cup with.
He passes the ball effortlessly, communicates clearly with teammates and has developed a knack for scoring important goals.
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5. Rodrygo – $197M
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This has been a breakout season for Rodrygo Goes, who is fifth on the list of the world’s most valuable players of 2023.
The forward has played on the right wing and even as a false number nine in Karim Benzema’s absence, both to a high level, and scored both goals as Madrid lifted their first Copa Del Rey title since 2014. In the season prior, he also played a very crucial role in Real Madrid’s Champions League winning season in 2021-22 as he scored some important goals in the knockout stages
With Benzema leaving and Marco Asensio set to follow suit next season, fans expect the Brazilian to step-up next season.
4. Jude Bellingham – $203M
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Rumored to be close to sealing a move to Real Madrid according to Fabrizio Romano, Borussia Dortmund’s teenager Jude Bellingham is fourth on the list of the most valuable players of 2023 with an estimated value of €190 million (eventual add-ons included as for all players listed).
The Englishman from Birmingham City is a versatile central midfielder who can effortlessly drop deep or push further up the pitch depending on the in-game situation.
He is also an excellent passer, has an eye for goal, and has shown his leadership capabilities, having captained Borussia Dortmund on several occasions.
Unfortunately, his dreams of winning the Bundesliga with Dortmund were shattered following their draw against Mainz in their last league match of the season.
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3. Bukayo Saka – $209M
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Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal emerged as one of the best teams in the Premier League this season but were unable to win the Premier League, having led for much of the season.
However Saka, who injects fear into a lot of opposition left backs, has appeared in all of Arsenal’s 38 league games, scoring 14 times and providing 11 assists.
The 21-year-old recently renewed his contract to keep him at the club until 2028, giving plenty of Arsenal fans excitement and optimism for what is still to come of the forward’s career.
2. Vinicius Jr – $210M
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Vinicius Junior, who helped the Whites to a La Liga–Champions League-Spanish Super Cup treble last season, is second in CIES’ list of the world’s most valuable players of 2023.
Although his output in front of goal has declined, he has still shown his capability to be a match winner for the 14-time Champions League winners with his direct running and natural link up play with Karim Benzema.
In 33 appearances, the former Flamengo man has only scored ten times and provided nine assists, missing a total of 19 big chances already across competitions.
He has vocally spoken out against the rates of racism in La Liga as he has been on the back of alot of stick from rival fans who have been goading him with racist chants this season.
1. Erling Haaland – $262M
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Manchester City and Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland heads the list of the world’s most valuable players with a value of almost €250 million (eventual buy-out clause not considered).
The Norwegian sensation has broken records left, right and center since coming to the Premier League. In his first season in the Premier League, he won the golden boot as he scored 36 goals.
He took only 14 games to reach 20 Premier League goals, making him the quickest player in history to reach that milestone. Should Manchester City win the Champions League, it will be an unforgettable season for the striker, as they will complete a historic treble.
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