MLS market values: Ruiqi Puig catches Lionel Messi – Champions LA Galaxy stand out

​

855 players updated 

©TM/IMAGO

One week after the conclusion of the MLS Cup final in Los Angeles, Transfermarkt updated the market values of 855 Major League Soccer players, and there was a change at the top of the hierarchy. Inter Miami CF superstar Lionel Messi is no longer the undisputed king of MLS regarding market value as LA Galaxy playmaker Riqui Puig is being rewarded with a significant upgrade following incredible performances during his club’s successful MLS Cup Playoffs. The two now sit at the top with a market value of €20m each.  

“With 30 goal contributions in 19 games, Messi remains the best player in the league,” Transfermarkt Data Administrator North America Dominic Becker said. “But father time has also impacted the best footballer of all time. As a result, we had to make an age-related adjustment to his market value.” Messi saw his market value drop by €5m to now €20m. But even with that latest downgrade, Messi remains the most valuable over 34-year-old player in the world, €5m ahead of Barça striker Robert Lewandowski and his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo (overview).

LA Galaxy market values: Puig, Pec, and Paintsil all receive significant upgrades 

While Messi remains the most valuable over 34-year-old, the drop to €20m means he is no longer alone at the top of the MLS market value ranking. Instead, he has to share that title with Los Angeles Galaxy superstar Riqui Puig. “Puig has elevated the LA Galaxy to new heights,” Becker said. “His performances were fundamental for the club winning the MLS Cup for the first time in ten years. His technical abilities, the eye for teammates, and the ability to finish are unparalleled in MLS. Should he maintain his form after his ACL injury, then it is only a question of time for him to return to a top-five league.” 

Puig suffered that ACL injury with 20 minutes to go in the MLS Cup Western Conference final. Despite that injury, the Spaniard provided the game-winning assist in the Conference final against Seattle (1-0). The fact that the Galaxy then went on to win the final without Puig is a testament to the incredible depth the LA team has built ahead of this season. Indeed, the other three stars, Joseph Paintsil (+€500,000 to €10m), Dejan Joveljic (+€1.5m to €6.5m), and Gabriel Pec (+€4m to €12m) also received significant upgrades after an impressive playoff run. 

Of those three, the Brazilian Gabriel Pec could be the next big MLS export. “Gabriel Pec, together with Joveljic and Paintsil, has formed one of the best-attacking trios in MLS history,” Becker said. “Pec has everything an elite winger needs: speed, technical ability, an eye for his teammate, and good finishing. It isn’t surprising that both Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in the 23-year-old Brazilian.” Although he failed to score in his first four MLS games, Pec still managed 21 goals and 18 assists in 41 games across all competitions this season for the Galaxy. Signed for €9.3m from Vasco Da Gama ahead of the season, that transfer now feels like a steal for the Galaxy. 

MLS market values: Cucho Hernández in the top 3 – Evander in the top 5

Columbus Crew star Cucho Hernández has been rewarded for yet another incredible season. “Cucho has not only maintained his form from the last update but improved on it,” Becker said. “40 goal contributions in 41 games across all competitions speak for themselves. He, too, is becoming ever more interesting for European clubs.” Signed for €9.55m from Watford in 2022, Hernández has seen his market value increase from €9m when he was signed to an impressive €15m. It is a testament to the incredible work done by Wilfried Nancy in Columbus, as the Crew were one of the best clubs in MLS despite an early playoff exit. 

Elsewhere, other notable upgrades in this update include Portland Timbers’ Evander (+€4m to €14m), LAFC’s Mateusz Bogusz (+€2m to €10m), New York Red Bulls’ Lewis Morgan and Real Salt Lake City’s Diego Luna (both +€1m to €6m). Morgan, in particular, stands out. The Scottish winger has been one of the main reasons for the Red Bulls’ run to the MLS Cup final where the Harrison, New Jersey club was only narrowly beaten by the LA Galaxy (2-1). Voted the comeback player of the season, Morgan has also been recalled to the Scottish national team and remains a player to watch next year. 

How Transfermarkt market values work

The Transfermarkt market values are calculated, taking into account various pricing models. A major factor is the Transfermarkt community, whose members discuss and evaluate player market values in detail. In general, the Transfermarkt market values are not to be equated with transfer fees. 

The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed market value definition here).