Spain pip Brazil as World Cup's most expensive squad

Published April 14, 2014
The squad of reigning champions Spain is worth an estimated $674 million. -File photo
The squad of reigning champions Spain is worth an estimated $674 million. -File 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 ($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 percent drop in his estimated price over the past year.

Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo saw his estimated value rise 11.4 percent 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 percent 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.

Opinion

Editorial

Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...
Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...