Italy vs Germany: The most valuable players both nations have produced

​

Nations League QF 

©TM/IMAGO

Italy and Germany renew their rivalry tonight in one of the biggest games in the Nations League this week. Two heavyweights of international football face off in the first leg of their quarter final at the iconic San Siro before the return leg in Dortmund on Sunday. The two nations have met 37 times across history with Italy boasting the superior record with 15 wins to Germany’s nine. The Italians are also unbeaten in five games in the World Cup with their most famous victory arriving in the 1982 final against West Germany at the Bernabeu.

While the Nations League pales into insignificance compared to the World Cup, both countries will be determined to progress to the semi-finals. The Azzurri want to bounce back after a disappointing defence of their European Championship crown last summer, while Julian Nagelsmann’s side want to prove that real progress has been made under the former Bayern Munich boss. Some football icons have represented both nations but which players make a combined XI based on Transfermarkt’s famed market values?

The most valuable combined XI from Italy and Germany across history would have a total value of €965 million. It would comprise of eight German players and three Italians with current duo Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala possessing the record valuations with both at €140m. The front three would consist of three current Germany internationals in Kai Havertz, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané.

It’s no surprise that all of the XI are still playing with market values rising over the years due to inflation and transfer market trends. Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich’s record market value was €90 m in 2021 and he joins international colleagues Musiala and Wirtz in midfield – the front six are all German. Three Italian’s do feature in the back four in Federico Dimarco, Alessandro Bastoni and Alessandro Florenzi alongside Niklas Süle with Marc-André ter Stegen in goals.