OREANDA-NEWS. The German portal Transfermarkt, which estimates the cost of football players based on the opinions of experts and market participants, has adjusted the data against the spread of coronavirus infection. The cost of most of the players was reduced by 20%, for players born in 1998 and younger - by 10%. As a result, according to Transfermarkt, the total market value of football players worldwide fell by € 9.22 billion.

“It's difficult to imagine that prices in the transfer market will grow in the foreseeable future, as has been the case in recent years. Yes, there may be some separate large transactions, but, from our point of view, a prompt reaction to the current situation was needed”, said the founder of Transfermarkt, Mathias Seidel.

The most expensive football player in the world was the forward Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team Kilian Mbappé. Transfermarkt estimates it at € 180 million. Manchester City midfielder Rahim Sterling and Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar (both at € 128 million) share the second and third lines on the list.

Six-time Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi is in ninth place in the ranking. He is estimated at € 112 million. Five-time winner of the most prestigious individual award in world football Cristiano Ronaldo - in 46th place (€ 60 million).