FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is the most valuable soccer player in the world, playing for the most valuable soccer club in the world, according to the results of Brazilianconsulting company Pluriconsultoria, which has released its annual study analyzing the approximate market value of all players, clubs and competitions in professional soccer.
Messi topped thelist of most valuable players with a $181 million valuation, followed by Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who was valued at $124 million. Messi’s Barca teammateAndres Iniesta was third with an $88 million valuation, followed by Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney with a $78 million, and Ateltico Madrid’s RadamelFalcao, worth an estimated $73 million.
The study declared Barcelona the most expensive squad in the world, worth an estimated $867 million, followed by Real Madrid, $767 million,Manchester City, $632 million, Manchester United, $584 million, and Bayern Munich, $555 million.