The Most Expensive Player from Every Country in FIFA’s Top 50 Rankings

Every nation has its standout star, the player who cost more than any of their countrymen to sign. From wonderkids to seasoned pros, these record-breaking transfers reveal just how far football's global reach extends. Here's a countdown from 50 to 1 of the priciest footballers from each top-ranked nation.

50. Mali – Yves Bissouma (£25m)

Tottenham signed Yves Bissouma from Brighton in 2022 for £25 million, making him Mali’s most expensive export. Though his start was rocky, he’s since found form under Ange Postecoglou’s attacking style.

49. Greece – Konstantinos Manolas (£31m)

Manolas became Greece’s priciest player when Napoli paid £31 million to lure him from Roma in 2019. A consistent defender in Serie A, he has since returned to play in the Middle East.

48. Paraguay – Miguel Almirón (£20.5m)

Almirón made history in 2018 when he moved from Atlanta United to Newcastle for £20.5 million. His energy and goals have helped Newcastle rise to become a top-four Premier League team.

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47. Romania – Adrian Mutu (£20m)

Mutu’s £20 million switch to Chelsea in 2003 remains Romania’s record. His immense talent was overshadowed by off-field issues, ending his Blues career prematurely.

46. Slovakia – Stanislav Lobotka (£18m)

Lobotka joined Napoli from Celta Vigo in 2019 for £18 million. Now a title-winning midfielder in Serie A, he’s a key player in the Slovak national team.

45. Canada – Jonathan David (£23m)

Lille’s £23 million purchase of Jonathan David from Gent in 2020 eclipsed Alphonso Davies’ record. David has since become one of Ligue 1’s most consistent scorers.

44. Norway – Erling Haaland (£52m)

City paid £52 million for Haaland in 2022, a sum he’s more than repaid by delivering a treble in 2023. Now regularly linked with Real Madrid, a record-breaking transfer may still lie ahead.

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43. Cameroon – Samuel Eto’o (£24m)

Eto’o moved to Barcelona from Mallorca in 2004 for £24 million, a record for Cameroon. He went on to win the Champions League with both Barça and Inter Milan.

42. Costa Rica – Keylor Navas (£13m)

In 2019, PSG signed Navas from Real Madrid for £13 million. The Costa Rican legend won titles in both Spain and France, becoming a global goalkeeping icon.

41. Turkey – Orkun Kökçü (£21.5m)

Kökçü joined Benfica from Feyenoord for £21.5 million in 2023. His value may climb again soon, with clubs in England reportedly circling the Turkish midfielder.

40. Ecuador – Antonio Valencia (£16m)

Manchester United bought Antonio Valencia for £16 million in 2009. The versatile Ecuadorian went on to captain the club and win multiple Premier League titles.

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39. Nigeria – Victor Osimhen (£60m)

Napoli’s £60 million signing of Osimhen in 2020 set a Nigerian record. After leading them to a Serie A title, he remains one of Europe’s most coveted strikers, with clubs still chasing him in 2025.

38. Russia – Aleksandr Golovin (£26m)

Golovin’s impressive World Cup in 2018 earned him a £26 million move to Monaco. He remains a creative force for both club and country.

37. Czech Republic – Patrik Schick (£23m)

Schick’s £23 million transfer to Leverkusen in 2020 followed a strong spell at Leipzig. He helped Leverkusen to a historic Bundesliga win in 2025, further boosting his legacy.

36. Hungary – Dominik Szoboszlai (£60m)

Liverpool triggered Szoboszlai’s £60 million release clause in 2023. He has since cemented himself as a dynamic presence in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield.

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35. Wales – Gareth Bale (£86m)

Bale’s 2013 switch to Real Madrid for £86 million broke world records at the time. Now retired, his legacy as Wales’ most expensive player—and one of the best—is secure.

34. Egypt – Mohamed Salah (£36m)

Liverpool’s £36 million purchase of Salah in 2017 now looks like a bargain. The Egyptian winger has gone on to break club records and earn legend status at Anfield.

33. Algeria – Riyad Mahrez (£60m)

City signed Mahrez from Leicester in 2018 for £60 million. He was instrumental in their domestic dominance, before moving to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

32. Chile – Alexis Sánchez (£37m)

Sánchez joined Arsenal from Barcelona in 2014 for £37 million. Though his time at Manchester United was underwhelming, he remains Chile’s highest transfer fee.

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31. Tunisia – Hannibal Mejbri (£8.5m)

Manchester United paid £8.5 million for Mejbri in 2019. Despite limited club appearances, he continues to impress on the international stage.

30. Scotland – Kieran Tierney (£23.5m)

Arsenal signed Tierney from Celtic in 2019 for £23.5 million. After multiple loans, a permanent move looks likely in 2025 as he seeks more playing time.

29. Austria – Christoph Baumgartner (£21m)

Baumgartner became Austria’s record transfer with his £21 million move to RB Leipzig in 2022. He’s since established himself as a key Bundesliga playmaker.

28. South Korea – Kim Min-jae (£43m)

In 2023, Bayern Munich activated Kim Min-jae’s £43 million release clause at Napoli, making him South Korea’s most expensive player. He quickly became a defensive pillar in Germany and surpassed Heung-min Son’s previous record.

27. Australia – Harry Souttar (£20m)

Leicester paid £20 million for Souttar in 2023 following his World Cup heroics. Despite the club’s relegation, he remains a regular in the national team and Championship.

26. Poland – Robert Lewandowski (£40m)

Lewandowski’s 2022 transfer to Barcelona from Bayern for £40 million made him Poland’s record holder. Even at 36, he remains a consistent goal threat in La Liga.

25. Serbia – Dušan Vlahović (£70m)

Vlahović joined Juventus for £70 million in 2022. While he’s yet to hit his peak, clubs like Bayern and Man United continue to monitor the Serbian forward.

24. Ukraine – Mykhailo Mudryk (£89m)

Chelsea signed Mudryk for £60 million plus add-ons in 2023, taking the deal close to £89 million. Despite a shaky start, he’s now starting to find form under Vincent Kompany’s management.

23. Sweden – Alexander Isak (£60m)

Isak’s £60 million move to Newcastle in 2022 set a Swedish record. He’s since become one of the Premier League’s most dangerous strikers.

22. Iran – Alireza Jahanbakhsh (£16.33m)

Brighton paid £16.33 million for Jahanbakhsh in 2018. His stint in England didn’t work out, but he revived his career with Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.

21. Peru – Paolo Guerrero (£15.5m)

Guerrero’s £15.5 million move to Corinthians in 2012 remains the biggest in Peruvian history. A national hero, he led his country to the 2018 World Cup after a 36-year absence.

20. Japan – Shoya Nakajima (£30m)

Al-Duhail paid £30 million for Nakajima in 2018, shocking many. His time in Qatar was short-lived, and he returned to Europe within a few months.

19. Denmark – Rasmus Højlund (£72m)

In 2023, Manchester United paid £72 million for Atalanta’s Rasmus Højlund, surpassing Christian Eriksen’s previous record. Still developing, he’s tipped to become Denmark’s next superstar striker.

18. Senegal – Sadio Mané (£35m)

Liverpool bought Mané for £35 million in 2016. He became one of the best forwards in the world before moving to Bayern and later Al-Nassr.

17. Colombia – James Rodríguez (£64m)

James’ £64 million move to Real Madrid in 2014 followed his breakout World Cup. His career has since taken a nomadic path, but that transfer remains a Colombian landmark.

16. Uruguay – Darwin Núñez (£68m)

Liverpool paid £68 million to sign Núñez in 2022. After a slow start, he’s now showing signs of becoming the Reds’ long-term No. 9.

15. Germany – Florian Wirtz (£100m +/- add-ons)

Liverpool paid around £100 million, potentially rising to £116 million with add-ons, to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in June 2025. That transfer shattered previous records and made Wirtz the most expensive German player ever

14. Mexico – Hirving Lozano (£32.5m)

Napoli’s £32.5 million signing of Lozano in 2019 remains Mexico’s highest. He played a key role in their 2023 Serie A title win before returning to PSV.

13. Morocco – Achraf Hakimi (£58m)

PSG paid £58 million for Hakimi in 2021. The Moroccan right-back is among the best in his position and continues to shine in Ligue 1.

12. Switzerland – Granit Xhaka (£38m)

Xhaka’s £38 million transfer to Arsenal in 2016 is still a Swiss record. He moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 and helped them win a historic Bundesliga title.

11. USA – Christian Pulisic (£55m)

Chelsea paid £55 million for Pulisic in 2019. After mixed success in England, he revived his career with a strong first season at AC Milan.

10. Spain – Kepa Arrizabalaga (£68.5m)

Kepa’s £68.5 million move from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 is still the record for a Spanish player—and for a goalkeeper globally. Now a backup at Real Madrid, his early promise remains unfulfilled.

9. Portugal – João Félix (£110m)

Atletico Madrid paid £110 million for Félix in 2019. Still only 25, his career has been up and down, with loan moves to Chelsea and Barcelona.

8. Italy – Sandro Tonali (£60m)

Newcastle paid £60 million for Tonali in 2023, making him Italy’s most expensive player. However, he was suspended for betting violations shortly after his arrival.

7. Netherlands – Frenkie de Jong (£76m)

Barcelona paid £76 million to sign De Jong from Ajax in 2019. He remains central to their midfield plans and a symbol of Dutch technical excellence.

6. Croatia – Mateo Kovačić (£38m)

Kovačić moved permanently to Chelsea in 2019 for £38 million and has since joined Manchester City. With multiple Champions League titles, he’s Croatia’s most expensive player.

5. Belgium – Romelu Lukaku (£98m)

Chelsea paid £98 million to re-sign Lukaku in 2021 after his title-winning stint at Inter. The Belgian striker’s second spell in London didn’t go as planned.

4. England – Declan Rice (£105m)

Manchester City made Grealish England’s most expensive player with a £100 million deal in 2021. While his first season was quiet, he grew into a key figure in City's treble-winning squad.

3. Brazil – Neymar (£190m)

PSG’s £190 million signing of Neymar from Barcelona in 2017 remains the biggest in history. The transfer reshaped football’s economic landscape overnight.

2. France – Kylian Mbappé (£150m)

Mbappé’s £150 million move to PSG from Monaco in 2018 confirmed his superstar status. He continues to be one of the world’s most marketable and effective players.

1. Argentina – Enzo Fernández (£105m)

Chelsea triggered Enzo’s £105 million release clause at Benfica in January 2023. Just weeks removed from winning the World Cup, he became Argentina’s most expensive footballer ever.