MLS Market Value Updates: Messi Loses Top Spot in Latest Rankings

Lionel Messi, the global football icon and Inter Miami’s star attraction, has experienced a significant downgrade in his market value following the latest Transfermarkt update for Major League Soccer. Messi’s valuation has dropped by €2 million, settling at €18 million—a move that sees him fall from the joint top spot and now share second place with Atlanta United’s Emmanuel Latte Lath, whose value remains unchanged.

Key Details of the Update:

• Messi’s market value decreased from €20 million to €18 million, marking his lowest valuation since his early professional days.
• This adjustment is attributed primarily to his age—now 37—and the natural decline that accompanies even the greatest football careers, despite Messi’s continued on-field excellence.
• Transfermarkt’s North America data administrator noted, “Messi continues to deliver impressive performances this season despite his advancing years. However, we must acknowledge his age. With a valuation of €18 million, he remains the priciest player in his age bracket, despite the recent reduction”.

Context and Impact:

• Messi’s downgrade comes as Inter Miami struggle to replicate last year’s form, currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference and recently suffering a heavy defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals.
• Several other Inter Miami players also saw their values drop, including Federico Redondo, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba.
• Despite the reduction, Messi remains the most valuable player in his age group (34+), trailing only Antoine Griezmann globally and still ahead of Robert Lewandowski.

Wider MLS Market Trends:

• The update reflects broader changes across the league, with notable downgrades for other stars such as Hirving Lozano and Miguel Almirón, while Vancouver Whitecaps players like Brian White saw significant boosts after strong performances.
• Transfermarkt emphasizes that these market values are estimates based on open market expectations, not direct transfer fees, and are influenced by player age, form, injuries, and team performance.

Also Read: Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez Launch New Football Club – Deportivo LSM

A New Era in MLS Rankings:

Messi’s downgrade is symbolic—a reminder that even legends are not immune to the passage of time in the football economy. While his market value has dipped, his influence on and off the pitch remains unparalleled, continuing to draw crowds, boost viewership, and elevate the MLS’s global profile.

Summary Table: Messi’s Market Value Changes

 Messi’s latest downgrade marks a new chapter in MLS’s evolving landscape, as emerging talents and shifting team fortunes reshape the league’s hierarchy.