(First raw, from left) Spain’s forward Pedro Rodriguez, midfielder Thiago Alcantara, midfielder Cesc Fabregas, midfielder Andres Iniesta, Spain’s defender Jordi Alba, (second raw, from left) goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defender Sergio Ramos, defender Cesar Azpilicueta, defender Javi Martinez, midfielder Sergio Busquets and forward Diego Costa pose at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid in this March 5 file photo. — AFP photo
RIO DE JANEIRO: Spain, Argentina and Brazil have the most expensive squads of the 32 sides competing in the World Cup in June, Brazilian financial daily Valor reported on Monday.
The squad of reigning champions Spain is worth an estimated 486.9 million euros (US$674 million), ahead of 474.1 million euros for Argentina and 470.2 million for hosts Brazil, according to sports analysis consultancy Pluri Consultoria.
The company valued Germany’s squad at 445.6 million euros with France coming in ahead of England at 398.6 million euros for Les Bleus to 354.2 million for Roy Hodgson’s hopefuls.
Belgium’s squad outranks Italy at 336.1 million to 322.4 million for the Azzurri.
The report ranked Argentina and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as the highest-valued player at 138.1 million euros despite a 1.4 per cent drop in his estimated price over the past year.
Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo saw his estimated value rise 11.4 per cent over the past year after he landed the world player of the year accolade – but he still trails Messi by more than 30 million euros.
At 107.3 million euros, Ronaldo’s estimated current market value is more than a third of the 287 million euros for the entire Portugal squad.
Honduras bring up the rear with their squad valued at just 32.3 million euros – or less than one quarter of Messi and half the estimated 67.4 million for Brazil and Barcelona star Neymar, whose price tag is up 22.5 per cent on last year. The values are based on 77 criteria including age, technical ability, fitness and also marketing clout up to the date of the participating nations’ last outings.
The consultancy will update its values after the final squads are unveiled on May 7. — AFP