The most expensive starting XI in history: €1.159 billion without Messi

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Having the 11 most expensive players in the world together in one side would be the dream of any head coach, with a total cost of 1.159 billion euros.

Players like Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba all feature, and Lucas Hernandez is the newest addition to this side after his 80 million euro move to Bayern Munich.

Lionel Messi, for instance, does not appear in this line-up, however, as he joined Barcelona’s La Masia academy on a free as a child.

France is the nation with the most players in this side with four, while there are two Brazilians, two Dutchmen, one Colombian, one Spaniard and one Portuguese.

Goalkeeper

The record transfer fee for a goalkeeper was paid last summer when Chelsea bought Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Club for 80m euros. That beat the 62.5m euros that Liverpool parted with to sign Alisson from Roma.

Defenders

Virgil van Dijk is the most expensive defender in the world having joined Liverpool from Southampton for 85m euros in January 2018.

In second place is Lucas Hernandez, who will join Bayern Munich in the summer for 80m euros. His age, versatility and potential are all reasons why the Germans were willing to pay such a sum.

The third most expensive defender in history is Aymeric Laporte. The Frenchman joined Manchester City after the Premier League side paid 65m euros to Athletic Club in January 2018.

Central midfielders

Philippe Coutinho will be the first central midfielder in the line-up after Barcelona signed the Brazilian for 120m euros plus a further 40m in variables from Liverpool in January 2018.

Paul Pogba is next to appear, with Manchester United paying Juventus 105m euros in August 2016 as they brought one of the world’s best midfielders back to Old Trafford.

Several steps lower than Coutinho and Pogba, economically at least, are Frenkie de Jong and James Rodriguez. Both players were signed for 75m euros, with the Dutchman moving to Barcelona in the summer and the Colombian having joined Real Madrid after his tremendous performances at the 2014 World Cup.

Forwards

The three forwards are Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe. The Brazilian joined Paris Saint-Germain for 222m euros, the most expensive signing in the history of football. That same summer, PSG also paid 135m euros to bring Mbappe to the French capital after he burst onto the scene with Monaco.

Cristiano Ronaldo closes out the line-up after Juventus bought the 34-year-old for 117 million euros last summer. Though it was a large sum to pay for someone of the Portuguese’s age, his impact – particularly in the Atletico Madrid return leg in the Champions League – is proof that it has been a success.

The bench

These players may not have entered the most expensive line-up, but they have a place on this illustrious bench.

Ousmane Dembele would be the first name, having joined Barcelona for 105m euros, and he would be followed by Gareth Bale (101m euros), Gonzalo Higuain (90m euros), Zinedine Zidane and Angel Di Maria (75m euros), Benjamin Mendy (58m euros), and Alisson (62.5m euros).

See the formation bellow 👇🏻

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