Saudi Pro League market values: Cristiano Ronaldo downgraded – Ivan Toney drops by €22m

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Top 57 downgraded 

©TM/IMAGO

Transfermarkt has updated the market values of 476 players playing in the Saudi Pro League, and once again, downgrades dominate the headline. Whether it is Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Ivan Toney, or Moussa Diaby, the top 57 most valuable players playing in Saudi Arabia were all downgraded as part of the update. When the dust settled, Diaby from Al-Ittihad remained the most valuable player in the league despite a minus of 36.4% from €55m to €35m. 

The big headline act of the Saudi Pro League remains Cristiano Ronaldo. “Even at 39 years of age, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the face of the league, and not just for image reasons,” Transfermarkt Area Manager Asia Tiberius Radziejewski said. “Despite a rather shaky Season by Al-Nassr, his performance is excellent, and he is once again fighting for the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer crown. Nevertheless, after not touching his market value in previous updates since moving to Saudi Arabia, we have decided to lower his value ahead of his 40th birthday. Nonetheless, it is a market value for the history books.” 

It sure is. Despite seeing his market value drop from €15m to €12m, Ronaldo remains one of the most valuable over 34-year-old players on the planet. Indeed, when Ronaldo does turn 40, he will become the most valuable 40-year-old player in the history of Transfermarkt market values. It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will celebrate that birthday at Al-Nassr. With Al-Nassr missing out on the Club World Cup, there are rumors that Ronaldo could switch clubs and join Al-Hilal instead. It would certainly be intriguing to see Ronaldo compete in the same tournament as Inter Miami’s star Lionel Messi, the most valuable player of the over 34 age category. 

Such a move could also potentially unite Ronaldo with Messi’s friend Neymar. That is if Neymar is still playing for Al-Hilal next summer. The Brazilian has struggled in Saudi Arabia and could soon leave the league. “For the other superstar, Neymar, the story hasn’t been positive,” Radziejewski said. “After a mini-comeback, another serious injury, and retirement rumors, his signing has ultimately turned out to be a financial disaster for his record Champion team. With over 60 games missed in two years and 42 minutes played this season, a loss of this magnitude is unavoidable.” Neymar saw his market value drop by €15m from €30m to now €15m, his lowest market value since Sep. 6, 2010. 

The drop in market value was even more significant for former Premier League star striker Ivan Toney. “At 28 years old, Toney signed a four-year contract to leave the English Premier League to join Al-Ahli,” Radziejewski said. “Performing under expectations, being diagnosed with gambling addiction, as well as not being considered at all for his national team makes it clear that a drop in his value is inevitable.” Toney saw his market value drop by an astonishing €22m from €50m to now €28m.

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).