By Ebenezer Bajela
The Super Eagles have moved down in the latest financial rankings of national teams, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The three-time African champions are ranked the 21st most valuable international team globally, while retaining their third most valuable team position in Africa.
The Eagles boast players who ply their trade in Europe’s lucrative leagues, making them one of the world’s most valuable teams, with a total value of €256.90m.
Prior to the latest rankings, they were placed 20th, with a market value of €307.13m.
The Nigerian squad value witnessed a decrease of €50m compared to the squad value of €226.65m.
While Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, according to transfermarkt, has the highest rise between the end of the 2021/22 season and the 2022/23 season, his non-involvement with the national team in recent times due to injuries means he wasn’t included in the squad.
His excellent form, despite his limited time, saw a massive €5m rise in his market value, moving from €60m to €65m, moving him above Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, whose value dropped from €60m to €50m due to injuries and recent poor form.
The duo, however, remains the Eagles’ two most financially valuable players on the team.
Meanwhile, there was a sharp drop in the market value of some of the Eagles stars, following their underwhelming performances for their various clubs, while the recent inclusion of some players to the squad also contributed to the drop in the squad value.
In-form Everton midfielder, Alex Iwobi, is one of the few players whose value increases as he moved from his initial value of €20m to €22m.
The three-time African champions have a squad that also includes Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Chukwueze, who are both valued at €20m each.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who recently hit his first million in his career, also saw an increase of €2.5m following his recent move to Watford, as he is currently valued at €3.5m.
Of the 27 players listed in the squad by transfermarkt, 17 players fall within the range of players with a value of less than €10m.
Captain Ahmed Musa (€3.40m), Cyriel Dessers (€6m), Frank Onyeka (€9m), Raphael Onyedika (€8m), Ola Aina (€3.5m) are some of the players with less than €10m value.
The decrease and increase in the players’ value put together culminated in the Eagles moving down to 21st place globally, while retaining their position as the third most valuable team on the continent.
Ivory Coast overtook Senegal to become most valuable African team with a value of €380.95m, while the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winners are second with a market value of €286.50m.
Meanwhile, England retain their position as the most financially valuable team in the world with a market value of €1.36bn, while European champions Italy dropped from third to sixth position.
Manchester City’s Mark Foden, Tottenham Hotspurs Harry Kane and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham are the most valuable players in the squad with a market value of €90m.
The Three Lions have star-studded players like Trent Alexander-Arnold (€85m), Jack Grealish (€70m), Raheem Sterling (€70m), Mason Mount (€75m), Bukayo Saka (€70m) among others.
They are followed by Brazil (€1.09bn), world champions France (€886m), Portugal (€882m), and Spain (€805m) in the top five.
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