Italy v France – Which nations have produced the most valuable players ever?

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Nations League showdown 

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On Sunday Italy welcome France to the San Siro in what will likely conclude their recent contest for top spot in Group  2 of their Nations League table. Luciano Spalletti’s side will fancy their chances in front of their own fans, following a win over their European rivals in the reverse fixture in Paris just a few months ago. Despite going behind to a Bradley Barcola goal in the first minute of the match, the Azzurri went on to win the game 3-1 and have so far gone the entirety of their current campaign undefeated with just two points dropped from their first six games. And a win against France will surely be the cherry on the cake in what has been a relatively straight forward campaign. 

However, while Italy may have a slight edge over their French counterparts in their Nations League group, they have lagged behind Didier Deschamps’s team when it comes to success on the international stage in the modern era. Although Italy won Euro 2020, they were knocked out of the following competition in the Round of 16 and failed to qualify for the last two World Cups. And in many ways the four-time World champions aren’t the heavy hitters that they once were on the international stage. This is undoubtedly reflected in the market values of both international teams, with France boasting a combined squad value of €1.01 billion, while Italy’s squad are worth just €658.5 million. And when we consider the historic market values of the best players from both nations, it certainly points to a rather one-sided contest. 

The graphic above displays the most valuable combined starting XI based on the highest historic market values ever achieved by French and Italian players, totaling a combined market value of €1.1b. Interestingly, all but one player in this lineup is from France, with Gianluigi Donnarumma as the lone Italian representative in goal at his peak value of €65m. Donnarumma, Italy’s highly-rated goalkeeper, underscores Italy’s strong tradition of producing world-class goalkeepers, though his presence alone in this XI highlights Italy’s limited contribution of high-value players compared to France in recent years.

In attack, Kylian Mbappé leads with a staggering peak market value of €200m in 2018, making him the most valuable player on the team. Alongside him, Antoine Griezmann and Randal Kolo Muani complete a potent front line, with Griezmann valued at €150m and Kolo Muani at €80m. Ousmane Dembélé, valued at €120m, also adds firepower on the wing, showcasing France’s depth in offensive talent. This array of attackers highlights France’s prolific development of high-value forwards who have become cornerstones of both their national team and top European clubs. Of the top 10 most valuable forwards among both nations, only two players from Italy (Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa) were able to rival France’s impressive firepower.

The midfield features two dynamic, highly-rated young talents in Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga, both valued at €100m each. The Real Madrid duo represent the future of French football with their combination of defensive solidity, passing range, and athleticism. Both players could have been easily interchangeable with N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, who also reached the dizzying heights of a market value worth €100m. The Italian midfielder with the highest every market value is none other than Inter Milan star Nicolò Barella, but his highest value of €80m only places him fifth among his French counterparts. 

Defensively, the lineup includes the experienced Raphaël Varane (€80m), William Saliba (€80m), Lucas Hernandez (€60m), and Jules Koundé (€60m). Varane’s experience at the top level, including Champions League titles with Real Madrid, contrasts with Saliba’s recent rise as a key player for Arsenal, showing constant procession of top-class talent in France’s defensive ranks. The values of Hernandez and Koundé highlight France’s ability to produce elite defenders who excel in various tactical setups, illustrating a depth of defensive quality that Italy, traditionally known for its defenders, currently struggles to match in terms of market value. Alessandro Bastoni, the Italian defender with the highest ever market value, narrowly misses out on the team with a market value high of €70m. 

The lack of Italian players in this high-value lineup illustrates the current disparity between the nations in terms of talent generation and how that corresponds to each players market value over the course of their career. France’s dominance in this lineup underscores their current golden generation, filled with players who have achieved high market values through consistent performances in top European leagues, whereas Italy’s sole representation through Donnarumma suggests a need for revitalization in producing world-class talent across multiple positions.