Al-Hilal forward Neymar is leading the list of the top 10 most expensive footballers who have played in the Olympics football tournament
The Brazilian’s transfer value has dropped drastically in recent years following his career misfortunes after he switched to PSG from Barcelona in 2017. However, records have shown that the footballing sensation was once one of the most expensive footballers.
In statistics shared by Transfermarkt, Neymar leads the list of footballers who commanded sky-high market values while featuring for their countries’ respective Olympic football teams.
South American football geniuses dominate the list, with the likes of Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi present in the top 10. PSG and Morocco international Achraf Hakimi and Franck Kessie of Al-Ahli are the only African representatives. Follow us as we dive into the details below;
Neymar – €100m
Based on the statistics, Neymar is top of the chart of expensive footballers, who played at the Olympics. As of 2016, when the 32-year-old was playing for Brazil in the 2016 Olympics, his estimated market value was €100m. Now, the Al-Hilal winger has seen his value drop drastically by 70% to €30m, as per Transfermarkt.
The Santos-born dribble-master has accumulated 128 international appearances for Brazil, scoring 70 goals, and 589 club career appearances, scoring 350 goals.
Julian Alvarez – €90m
World Cup winner Julian Alvarez seems to be the most underrated footballer in the ranks of Manchester City players. Away from Etihad, Alvarez is a rare gem with a sky-high market value. He participated in Argentina’s 2024 Olympics campaign.
According to Transfermarkt, Julian Alvarez is the most expensive football player that has played in the Olympics with a market value of €90m. In club football, Alvarez has tallied 229 appearances, scoring 90 goals. On the international scene, he has racked up 36 appearances with 9 goals.
Pedri – €80m
Third on the list of the most expensive players who had graced the Olympic football tournament is Barcelona and Spain midfield sensation Pedri. According to Transfermarkt, Pedri’s market value when he participated in the 2021 Olympics with Spain U-23 was €80m.
The 21-year-old, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury, is still valued at the same amount in 2024. Pedri has tallied 180 club career appearances, scoring 24 goals. On the international scene, he has made 24 appearances for Spain, scoring two goals.
Mikel Oyarzabal – €70m
Real Sociedad prolific winger Mikel Oyarzabal is fourth on the list of the most expensive footballers in the Olympics. The 27-year-old Euro 2024 final hero played in the 2021 Olympics carrying a market value of €70m, €10m less than his Spain teammate Pedri.
Oyarzabal has tallied 357 club career appearances, scoring a centurion of goals. The Euro 2024 final appearance for Spain was his 37th cap with La Roja, and the match-winning goal was his 12th for the team. According to Transfermarkt, his transfer value has dropped to €45m in 2024.
Achraf Hakimi – €60m
PSG and Morocco international Achraf Hakimi, who is currently in action with Morocco U-23 in the ongoing 2024 Olympics football tournament, is the most expensive African player who has graced the Olympic Games. He is currently valued at €60m, as per transfermarkt. Hakimi has made 360 career appearances in club and international football, scoring 45 goals.
Lionel Messi – €55m
Barcelona and Argentine footballing legend Lionel Messi is sixth on the list. Messi played for Argentina in the 2008 Olympics football tournament, helping the team to win the tournament. His estimated market value then was €55m.
Note that this was a record market value for the footballer at that time. Inflationary trends in modern football transfer markets have made such value inconsequential.
Messi has 51 goals in 72 international appearances for Argentina. His club career tally stands at 914 appearances and 740 goals, and he has a current market value of €30m in 2024.
Michael Olise – €55m
Former Crystal Palace attacker Michael Olise’s market value as an Olympic games footballer is €55m – the same as Lionel Messi. The Bayern Munich midfielder, who is currently in action with France U-23 in the ongoing 2024 Olympics, has made 163 club career appearances, scoring 23 goals. He has yet to earn his call-up for France’s senior national team.
Franck Kessie – €55m
Al-Ahli, defensive midfielder, and Ivory Coast international Franck Kessie was valued at €55m when he played for Ivory Coast in the 2021 Olympics. The AFCON winner’s market value has dropped significantly to €18m in 2024, according to Transfermarkt. Kessie has won 81 caps with the Ivory Coast national team, scoring 11 goals, while his club career appearance stands at 367 with 51 goals.
Richarlison – €55m
Richarlison also had the same market value as Kessie while playing for Brazil in the 2021 Olympic Games. The out-of-favor Tottenham forward’s market has dropped to €38m . He has made 350 club career appearances, scoring 101 goals. On the international scene, has 48 caps, scoring 20 goals.
Ferran Torres – €50m
Completing the top 10 on the list is 24-year-old Spain and Barcelona forward, Ferran Torres. Torres’ estimated market value when he played for Spain in the 2021 Olympics was €50m. He has made 191 club career appearances, scoring 31 goals and 46 international appearances with 20 goals. His current market value is €30m.
