43 players updated
©TM/IMAGO
In the Saudi Pro League market value update, 43 players received a new valuation. While stars like former Liverpool player Darwin Núñez are significantly devalued, a duo from Al-Hilal are at the top of the biggest winners. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo defends his position at the top of the most valuable players aged 39 or older.
Núñez is the big loser this time – his market value is reduced by 10 million to 25 million euros. The Uruguayan moved to Al-Hilal from Liverpool last summer but has only scored six goals in 16 league games this season. “Simone Inzaghi didn’t even register Núñez for the league anymore,” explains TM area manager for Asia Tiberius Radziejewski. “That’s why he won’t play another league game until the end of the current season, even though he was signed for 53 million euros just a few months ago.”
The Italian international Mateo Retegui also recorded a devaluation. After a loss of 5 million euros, his new valuation is 35 million euros. “Retegui is an important part of Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI at Al-Qadsiah. The Italian has scored 15 league goals, but has not yet scored against one of the top teams in the league. That’s why he receives a small minus, but remains the most valuable player in the league,” says Radziejewski.
Retegui moved from Atalanta Bergamo to Al-Qadsiah in the summer for a fee of €68.3 million. This makes him the Italians’ record departure after Rasmus Højlund, who left Atalanta for Manchester United in 2023 for 77.8 million euros.
Another big name being disparaged is Al-Ittihad new signing Youssef En-Nesyri. The Moroccan drops by 2 million to 20 million euros, but is still one of the 15 most valuable players in the league. After his move from Fenerbahce to the reigning champions of the Saudi Pro League in the winter, which was accompanied by mishaps, the 28-year-old has two goals in six games. After the departure of former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to league rivals Al-Hilal, a place in the center of the attack became available.
Bouabré & Meïté: Teen duo biggest winners
19-year-old midfielder Saïmon Bouabré joined Al-Hilal from NEOM SC in the winter transfer window and now his valuation increases from 4 million to 15 million euros – the highest market value gain of this update. The 18-year-old striker Kader Meïté, meanwhile, moved from Stade Rennes to Al-Hilal for 30 million euros and can show an increase from 10 million to 18 million euros.
“In the last two transfer windows, significant investments were made in young talent, especially from European leagues,” emphasizes Radziejewski. “Two notable increases in value relate to new signings at Al-Hilal. Meïté has recorded an increase in value due to the transfer fee paid, even though he has not yet started a league game. Al-Hilal invested a transfer fee of 23 million euros for Bouabré, and he now plays regularly for the record champions. His market value has also been revised upwards in line with the high sum.”
Things will be exciting for both professionals with a view to a possible national team career. Both Meïté and Bouabré are French-born, but could still choose Germany’s World Cup group opponent, Ivory Coast. While Bouabré has so far only played for the French youth national teams, Meïté was most recently used for the Ivorian U23 team.
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms his valuation of 12 million euros despite being 41 years old. The Portuguese, who plays for league leaders Al-Nassr, is by far the most valuable professional among the over-40 players. In 22 games so far he has 21 goals and two assists, continues to prove his value and is gradually approaching the 1000 goal mark. He is currently at 959 for club and national team, but is currently suffering from a thigh injury.
There is little change in the squad values. Al-Hilal remains the undisputed leader and increases the total value by 9.1 million to 208.4 million euros. Behind them is Al-Ahli with 173.8 million euros (+3.1 million euros) and the top 3 is completed by Al-Ittihad, whose squad is valued at 162.6 million euros (-2 million euros). Table leader Al-Nassr follows in fourth place with 135.4 million euros (+2 million euros).
This is how Transfermarkt market values work
The transfer market market values are calculated taking various valuation models into account. An important factor is the transfer market community, whose members discuss and evaluate the market values of players in detail. In general, the transfer market market values cannot be equated with transfer fees.
The goal is not to predict a price, but rather an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant when determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed definition of market value here).
