Most expensive players XI in football: Money is a big part of football in the 21st century. And, in keeping with the importance of the financial aspect of the game, we have assembled a list of the most expensive players in every position.
Let’s take a look at the full line-up of the most expensive players in the world XI:
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) €80 million
The Spaniard is the most expensive goalkeeper in the world and was signed after Thibaut Courtois departed for Real Madrid in the final stages of the transfer window. After a tumultuous few seasons at Chelsea, the Spaniard is now on loan at Real Madrid, filling in for the injured Courtois.
RB: Achraf Hakimi (PSG) €68 million
The Moroccan made the move from Inter Milan to PSG for a massive €80 million fee, eclipsing the previous record set for Joao Cancelo. Hakimi has been consistent since his arrival at the French club and is among the best right-backs in the world right now.
CB: Harry Maguire (Man Utd) €87 million
The former Manchester United captain was signed from Leicester City for a record fee but failed to live up to his price tag. He has now been stripped of the club’s captaincy and has been demoted to a rotational option with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez the first-choice central defenders at the club right now.
CB: Matthijs De Ligt (Juventus) €85.5 million
The Dutch international was signed from Ajax, after an unbelievable run in the Champions League which led them to the semi-finals in the 2018/19 season. He has since made the move to Bayern Munich from the Bianconeri and remains one of the top central defenders in the world.
LB: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) – €65.3 million
After only one season with Brighton, Chelsea swooped in to sign the Spaniard for a record fee worth €65.3 million. Cucurella has been competing with Ben Chilwell for playing time and has not quite been able to dispose of the England international as the first-choice option on the left side of defence yet.
CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal) €116.6 million
The former West Ham United captain is now the most expensive British player of all time, with a record move to Arsenal for €116.6 million. The defensive midfielder was one of the most sought-after names in the Premier League and has now secured one of the most expensive transfers of all time.
CM: Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) €121 million
After earning the best young player award at the 2022 World Cup, Enzo Fernandez made a club-record move to Chelsea from Benfica during the January 2023 transfer window. The Argentine has signed an eight-year contract with the Blues and is expected to be a vital part of their future.
CDM: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) €116 million
Only one year after making the move to Brighton, Moises Caicedo made a mega money transfer to Chelsea. In the process, he joined Enzo Fernandez and Declan Rice as one of the most expensive midfielders of all time.
RW: Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona) €160 million
The former Liverpool man was brought in to replace his compatriot, Neymar, at Barcelona. But, things didn’t work out for him at Camp Nou and he was sent out on loan to Bayern Munich, where he won the treble, and he is now back in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
ST: Kylian Mbappe (PSG) €180 million
The French forward made the move from Monaco to PSG for a huge fee and has lived up to the price tag with some remarkable performances. He is currently in talks to potentially extend his deal even further with the club.
LW: Neymar (PSG) €222 million
The Brazilian is the most expensive signing in the history of football, making the move from Barcelona to PSG in 2017. He has since reunited with Lionel Messi, who made the same move as a free agent this past summer.
