Europe’s greats are already fighting them: The 10 players who blew their value at the World Cup in Qatar

the Qatar World Cup, which ended last Sunday, has become one of the best tournaments in history. The contest left a series of footballers who have taken advantage of the opportunity offered by a World Cup, which is why they are now viewed with a different eye by major clubs such as Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona. At least a dozen players have increased their price exponentially, as a result of its outstanding performance in Arab lands.

This is the case of Alexis MacAllister, world champion with Argentina. He belongs to Brighton, of the English Premier League, who extended his contract until June 2025 before the start of the tournament. But the midfielder’s strong performance gives the British club the chance to listen to offers. Although he is not as popular in the media as some of his Albiceleste teammates, It was the key for Lionel Scaloni in the Argentinian success. He played in six games, scored a goal for Poland and took part in the game that ended in Ángel Di María’s 2-0 win over France. He completed 89% of his passes, showing versatility in midfield. In 2019, Brighton bought him from Argentinos Juniors for eight million euros. Today, his value has quadrupled, according to Transfermarkt, to $34 million.

One of the great names that Morocco left behind, the big surprise of the World Cup, is that of Sofiane Amrabat . The Atlas Lions central midfielder was key in Walid Regragui’s orderly and battle-hardened approach to reaching the semi-finals. He was the one who best embodied the fighting spirit of a team defending Africa. The Moroccans’ 4th belongs to Fiorentina, with a tie until 2024. Prior to the World Cup, he was valued at $10.6m, but his excellent performances and being 26 years old have pushed his price up. The rape cast have already been warned that they won’t release it for less than US$63 million.

His partner also shone Azzedine Ounahi, number 8. Even Luis Enrique, a former Spain coach, raved about him after being knocked out by Morocco. The midfielder has only been dribbled past twice in the tournament and had just seven turnovers. At 22, he plays in Angers in France, with a contract until 2026. In any case, the team has already been open to a possible sale. Before the World Cup, his price tag was US$3.5 million. How much is it worth now? According to L’Equipe, several English Premier League clubs were willing to pay up to $45 million.

In increasingly competitive football, where there are almost no more random details, goalkeepers have gained a lot of prominence, due to their performance and importance. This is the case of Andries Noppert , Louis van Gaal’s bet for the Netherlands goal. Two years ago I was playing in the Dutch second division. He took advantage of his option and was transferred to Heerenveen, which led to being observed from the national team. Before Qatar, the 2.03 meter goal had an accessible market value for any heavy club in Europe: two million dollars. However, his record now stands at $10m, according to Het Parool, a media outlet that assures Ajax are following in his footsteps.

If it’s about goalkeepers, you can’t miss it Dominik Livakovic , the 1st from Croatia. He made the most saves in the entire World Cup (24), including 11 against Brazil in the quarter-finals. And he saved four penalties throughout the Cup. The Dinamo Zagreb player was unionized as an option for Bayern Munich, following the fracture of Manuel Neuer, while skiing, but also for Real Madrid, which seeks a hierarchy higher replacement for Thibaut Courtois. . Before the World Cup, his pass cost $8.5 million. However, according to the European press, its value is now around 30 million dollars.

Although Iran were knocked out in the group stage, their star striker showed their credentials. It is Mehdi Taremi. He was signed by Portuguese side Rio Ave three years ago and quickly impressed, scoring 21 goals in 37 games. This is how he won his transfer to Porto, one of the greats of Portuguese football. His reputation grew in the Champions League and at Qatar 2022 he scored two goals and one assist. He has a contract with Porto until 2024 and was valued at $21m. However, its big season has pushed up its price. In Italy, Milan and Lazio are said to be battling it out but the Portuguese have warned they won’t sell him for less than $30m.

With only 181 minutes in the World Cup, Randal Kolo Muani He did not miss the option that Didier Deschamps gave him in France. He entered the final roster through the window, due to the loss of Christopher Nkunku to injury. He scored the third fastest goal by a substitute in Cup history and converted his penalty in the final shootout. At 24, the striker is at German Eintracht Frankfurt, with a link until 2027.

As for the attackers, a brilliant appearance was that of Goncalo Ramos. The Portuguese had the weight to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the biggest names in world football, and he handled it in the best way possible: by bringing the ball home. At 21, he scored a hat-trick in the clash against Switzerland in the round of 16. Youngest to score three World Cup goals since 1962. The Benfica man has a contract until June 2026 and his value is 24 million euro.

A few other names that could turn the tide in the transfer window are the American full-back Sergino Dest of little continuity in Milan (where he arrived after having been in Barcelona), and the Ghanaian midfielder Mohammad Kudus , from Ajax. The World Cup gave the African a springboard to show off the good record he already had at the Amsterdam giants. From England, they claim that Everton are following him.