MLS Market Values: Messi Drops Again, Brighton Prospect Diego Gomez Joins Elite
The MLS transfer window may be closed, but the market values of 109 players across the league have just gotten a major update. Among the most notable changes, Lionel Messi has seen his value drop by -€5m to €25m, marking his lowest market value since January 2006.
Despite his incredible performances, Messi’s age is starting to become a factor. Injuries have taken a toll, and he’s already missed ten games this season. "Messi’s downgrade was inevitable," says Transfermarkt Data Administrator North America Dominic Becker. "He remains the most valuable player in Major League Soccer, but his value will continue to decline as he gets older."
With Thiago Almada’s departure from Atlanta United, Messi’s decline has led to a logjam at the top. LA Galaxy star Riqui Puig and Columbus Crew striker Cucho Hernández now share the second-highest market value, which has increased by 15.4% to €15m. "Cucho is developing towards becoming the best MLS striker the league has ever seen," Becker says. "His goalscoring ability is almost impossible to defend against, and his vision on the pitch makes him a strong candidate for European clubs."
Another player making waves in the MLS market is Diego Gómez, the Inter Miami CF star. His reported transfer fee to Brighton is expected to be around €13.2m, and his on-field performances have earned him a 25% market value increase to €10m. "Gómez’s transfer to Brighton is only a matter of time," Becker says. "He’s a flexible player with six goals and seven assists in 21 games across all competitions, and his ankle injury isn’t expected to impact his value long-term."
Meanwhile, other notable upgrades include LAFC’s Mateusz Bogusz (+€4m to €8m), Houston Dynamo’s Ezequiel Ponce (+€2m to €7m), and Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi and Columbus Crew’s Diego Rossi (+€1m to €8m).
However, not all star players are experiencing a bump in market value. Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC, Sebastián Driussi of Austin FC, and FC Dallas’ Jesús Ferreira have all seen their values drop due to declines in production and age.
So, what does this mean for the future of MLS? With the European transfer window still open, expect some of these high-profile players to make their way to the Old Continent. Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates on the latest transfer news and market values as they happen!