3 billion on the grass: the battle of the giants ignites between Spain and England

In a report, the newspaper AS likened the Metropolitano to a Cibeles fashion show in football form, with so many of the game's biggest names and highest market values on show.

Transfermarkt put the value of the fixture at around 3 billion euros, combining the squads of Thomas Tuchel (1.48250 billion euros) and Luis de la Fuente (1.432 billion euros).

Lamine Yamal heads the cast. He joined up with the Spain camp last Friday.

A stunning start to the season, 13 goals and 12 assists, keeps Yamal top of the list of the most valuable players on the planet at 220 million euros.

Three more Barcelona players clear the 100 million euros mark: Pedri (150 million euros), Fermín (110 million) and Pau Cubarsí (100 million).

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ESP

UEFA Nations League A

15 Nov 2026

14:45

ENG

Jude Bellingham has been superb in recent months, and he tops the England list on 160 million euros.

Three of his team-mates break the 100 million barrier too: Elliot Anderson (120 million euros), Declan Rice (120 million) and Rogers (120 million).

The goalkeeping battle is intriguing. Spain's three keepers, all nominated for the Yashin Trophy, are worth a combined 107 million euros: Joan García (45 million), David Raya (30 million) and Unai Simón (22 million).

England's trio, by contrast, fall short of 50 million euros: Trafford (35 million euros), Pickford (13 million) and Steele.

Alongside Pau Cubarsí sit two defenders of serious promise, Dean Huijsen on 60 million euros and Quansah on 50 million.

The gulf between Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane (60 million euros) and Lamine Yamal (220 million) also catches the eye, though the reason is obvious here: the 14-year age gap between them.

Yamal turned 19 on 13 July. Just 15 days later, Kane blew out 33 candles.

The roll call of talent runs on. There are full-backs such as Pedro Porro (45 million euros) and Cucurella (60 million), attacking midfielders such as Eze (60 million), Barrios (70 million) and Baena (45 million), and wingers such as Nico (40 million) and Gordon (80 million).

All of them converge in one rare, distinctive footballing blend at the Metropolitano.

Written byMohamed Mansi

Senior Editor

I am an Egyptian journalist specializing in sports, working for the Kooora website since 2016.

My journalism journey began after graduating from the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University (Journalism Department) in 2011, and I joined the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate in 2017.

At Kooora, I found the football passion that has been with me since childhood, following news of global clubs—especially Real Madrid—as well as Egyptian clubs, particularly Al Ahly SC.

My journey with football began by supporting Al Ahly from a very young age, then following the 1998 FIFA World Cup at the age of 8. I became attached to legends such as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazário, and Rivaldo, along with other skillful players of that era like Davor Šuker, Bebeto, Iván Zamorano, Marcelo Salas, and Ariel Ortega, as well as strikers like Michael Owen, Patrick Kluivert, Gabriel Batistuta, Samuel Eto'o, and David Trezeguet.

Since UEFA Euro 2004, which ended with Greece winning the title, I began closely following the legend Cristiano Ronaldo, whom I consider the greatest in football history due to his remarkable career, especially during his time with Real Madrid, my favorite club worldwide.

My professional experience is centered on writing news, providing analysis, covering both international and local events, as well as editorial reviewing (desk work).

During my time at Kooora, I have published several series, including “Great but…”, “Legitimate Betrayal”, and “Mercato AI”, in addition to a variety of reports.

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