Transfermarkt, the online football statistics database, has updated the market values of 137 Major League Soccer players, with a focus on young stars and new signings. While St. Louis City SC emerged as the biggest winners with the update, the most notable change involving an established player saw Thiago Almada return to the no.1 spot among the league’s most valuable players after his market value increased significantly.
Almada became the first World Cup winner actively playing in MLS when Argentina lifted the trophy in December 2020. The midfielder has made a significant advancement in his development this season, scoring four goals and four assists in Atlanta United’s first four games. Almada’s market value jumped to €20 million, his career-high, and is expected to continue upwards.
Almada’s teammate, 18-year-old left-back Caleb Wiley, has drawn comparisons to a young Alphonso Davies. Wiley doubled his market value from €2m to €4m and is now among the three most valuable left-backs born in 2004. Another St. Louis City SC player, 25-year-old Canadian Kyle Hiebert, has been called up by the Canadian men’s national team and has received a starting market value of €1.5m.
Inter Miami CF’s 18-year-old attacking midfielder Benja Cremaschi has a starting market value of €1.5m. The US and Argentine passport holder has made three appearances in MLS this season and was called up to Argentina’s U20 squad after scoring two goals in three appearances for the U19 US men’s national team. Cremaschi’s teammate Josef Martínez saw his market value decrease from €5m to €4m after being bought out by his former club, Atlanta United, and joining Inter Miami CF on a free transfer.
The Transfermarkt market values are calculated by taking into account various pricing models, with a significant factor being the Transfermarkt community. The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values.
Overall, the updated market values reflect MLS’s growing potential to serve as a platform for developing young players and rebuilding the careers of established players. The league continues to attract talent from around the World and has become a valuable asset for football clubs worldwide. It’s evident that MLS is not only improving its quality of play but also contributing to the global football community.
