England visit Spain at the Metropolitano on Sunday evening in the final match of the Nations League group stage, with a combined squad value of about €3bn.
The figure, calculated using the market values listed by Transfermarkt, reflects the quality on show in Madrid. Spain’s squad under Luis de la Fuente is valued at €1.432bn, while the England players managed by Thomas Tuchel are worth €1.482.50bn.
Spanish newspaper AS described the fixture as resembling a Cibeles fashion show for football, with a large number of the game’s most prominent and valuable players expected to feature.
At the centre of Spain’s collection of stars is Lamine Yamal, who joined the national team camp last Friday. The Barcelona forward has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season, scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists.
Those performances have helped Yamal remain the world’s most valuable player, with a market valuation of €220m.
Barcelona have three other players in the squad whose values exceed €100m. Pedri is valued at €150m, Fermin at €110m and Pau Cubarsi at €100m.
Jude Bellingham leads the England squad in market value. The midfielder, who has produced an impressive level of performance in recent months, is rated at €160m.
Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice and Rogers are each valued at €120m, taking England’s number of players worth more than €100m to four.
Spain’s advantage in goal
The goalkeeping position is another area where the difference between the sides is particularly striking.
Spain’s three goalkeepers included among the nominees for the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper of the year have a combined value of €107m. Juan Garcia is valued at €45m, David Raya at €30m and Unai Simon at €22m.
England’s three goalkeepers do not reach €50m between them. Trafford is valued at €35m, Pickford at €13m and Steele’s market value is not stated.
Alongside Cubarsi, Spain’s highly rated defensive options include Dean Huijsen, valued at €60m, and Quansah, who is worth €50m.
The contrast between Harry Kane and Yamal is also notable. Kane, the Ballon d’Or winner, is valued at €60m, while Yamal’s valuation stands at €220m. The main explanation is the 14-year age gap between the two players.
Yamal celebrated his 19th birthday on 13 July. Fifteen days later, Kane turned 33.
The list of high-value players continues across both squads. At full-back, Pedro Porro is valued at €45m and Cucurella at €60m. In attacking midfield, Eze is worth €60m, Barrios €70m and Baena €45m.
Among the wingers, Nico is valued at €40m and Gordon at €80m, adding further depth to the collection of leading players involved at the Metropolitano.