World soccer has a new financial king: the most valuable starting XI right now is worth more than $1.46 billion, and it’s heavily shaped by Spain – both in terms of player nationality and league representation. According to the latest data from Transfermarkt, four Spanish players make the elite selection, while LaLiga dominates with seven players, split between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
Lamine Yamal tops the charts at $215 million
At the top of this team is Lamine Yamal, the young FC Barcelona winger, who at just 17 years old is now valued at an astonishing $215 million, making him the most valuable player in the world. Joining him up front are two more LaLiga representatives: Vinicius Junior (valued at $183 million, Real Madrid) and Kylian Mbappé (around $194 million, Real Madrid), forming a terrifyingly expensive and talented attacking trio.
A midfield stamped ‘made in Spain’
The midfield also carries a distinct Spanish flavor. Englishman Jude Bellingham ($194 million), a key figure at Real Madrid, plays just behind Barcelona’s Pedri ($151 million) and Uruguay’s Fede Valverde ($140 million, Real Madrid). This trio embodies the perfect balance of technical skill and athleticism that defines elite midfield play in Spain.
An international defense with a Barça touch
The back line is the only section less dominated by LaLiga, though it’s not without its connections: FC Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí is valued at $86 million. Alongside him are Josko Gvardiol ($81 million, Manchester City), Alessandro Bastoni ($86 million, Inter Milan), and Achraf Hakimi ($86 million, PSG).
David Raya holds the line in goal
Rounding out the eleven is Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, valued at $43 million. The Catalan shot-stopper is the fourth Spaniard in this galactic lineup, though he shares his valuation with three other keepers: Diogo Costa, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Gregor Kobel.
LaLiga shines on the global stage
Seven of the world’s most valuable players currently play in LaLiga, underlining the Spanish league’s reputation as a launchpad for elite young talent and market power. Real Madrid leads with four (Vinicius, Mbappé, Bellingham, and Valverde), while FC Barcelona contributes three (Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Cubarsí), further cementing the dominance of Spain’s football giants on the world stage.