Italy and Germany fall behind rivals in share of most valuable players as governing bodies respond
IMAGO | Jamal Musiala and Sandro Tonali are two of only eight German or Italian players among the world’s 100 most valuable players, marking a decline in the countries’ representation since 2022.
The Recap
Italian and German football has lost representation among the world’s 100 most valuable players, with football authorities acknowledging structural issues.
Data Insight
Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues account for 99 of the world’s 100 most valuable players, but Serie A and Bundesliga representation has declined to five and eight players respectively.
Why It Matters
The findings come as the Italian Football Federation has raised concerns about structural challenges in Italian football, while the DFL has introduced new measures aimed at improving talent development in Germany.
The Perspective
The growing concentration of elite player value highlights the widening competitive gap between Europe’s football economies.
13 May 2026 - 5:00 PM
The distribution of football’s most valuable players has become increasingly uneven.
Premier League clubs now account for 57 of the 100 most valuable players in world football, up from 45 in 2022, according to Off The Pitch’s Expected Transfer Value tool. The league’s lead over its European rivals has widened, while Serie A and the Bundesliga have both lost ground over the same period.
The shift is not only abo
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