By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad value has dropped in the latest financial rankings of national teams with barely a month to the kick-off of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Incidentally, Nigeria won’t take part at the mundial scheduled for Qatar.
The three-time African champions are ranked the 21st most valuable international team globally while retaining their third most valuable team position in Africa.
The Super Eagles have a total value of €256.90m due to the massive boost of players plying their trade in Europe’s lucrative leagues.
Before the latest rankings, they were placed 20th, with a market value of €307.13m.
According to the latest financial rankings, the Nigerian squad value witnessed a decrease of €50m compared to the squad value of €226.65m.
While Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen has the highest rise between the end of the 2021/22 season and the 2022/23 season, his non-involvement with the national team in recent times due to injuries means he wasn’t included in the squad, according to transfermarkt.
His excellent form, despite his limited time, saw a massive €5m rise in his market value, moving from €60m to €65m, moving him above Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, whose value dropped from €60m to €50m due to injuries and recent poor form.
Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Chukwueze are both valued at €20m each in the ranking.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who recently hit his first million in his career, also saw an increase of €2.5m following his recent move to Watford, as he is currently valued at €3.5m.
Of the 27 players listed in the squad by transfermarkt, 17 players fall within the range of players with a value of less than €10m.
Captain Ahmed Musa (€3.40m), Cyriel Dessers (€6m), Frank Onyeka (€9m), Raphael Onyedika (€8m), Ola Aina (€3.5m) are some of the players with less than €10m value.
The decrease and increase in the players’ value put together culminated in the Eagles moving down to 21st place globally while retaining their position as the third most valuable team on the continent.
Ivory Coast overtook Senegal to become the most valuable African team with a value of €380.95m, while the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winners are second with a market value of €286.50m.
Meanwhile, England retains their position as the most financially valuable team in the world with a market value of €1.36bn.
