Most Valuable Captains Across Top 5 European Leagues: Arsenal Ace Martin Odegaard Features

The importance of a captain cannot be overstated in soccer. The armband should go to someone who can take responsibility when the going gets tough, identify underperforming players, and get through to them. It should be worn by someone who can lead by example, inspiring his peers to match up.

The captain must not necessarily be one of the most sought-after players on the team, but it certainly does not hurt if he is. Continue reading to meet the 10 most valuable captains across the top five European leagues.

Special note: We have only taken the market value of the first captain into account. All data via Transfermarkt.

#10 John McGinn (Aston Villa): €30 million ($33.05 million)

Aston Villa captain John McGinn kicks off the list, with the Scotland international currently carrying an admirable €30 million ($33.05 million) price tag. The 29-year-old has been at Villa Park since joining from Hibernian FC in August 2018.

McGinn, a gifted central midfielder, has played 239 games for Villa in all competitions, scoring 26 times and providing 32 assists. He chipped in with four goals and three assists in 35 Premier League matches last season, helping Villa qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

#9 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): €30 million ($33.05 million)

Arguably the best defender in the Premier League, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is also worth a cool €30 million ($33.05 million). The Netherlands international, who has been at the club since January 2018, strikes the perfect balance between aggression and composure, which makes him a brilliant leader.

The 33-year-old center-back has played 273 games for the Merseysiders in all competitions, scoring 23 times and claiming 12 assists. His heroics have helped the Reds win the UEFA Champions League (2019) and the Premier League (2020), among other honors.

#8 Reece James (Chelsea): €40 million ($44.07 million)

Chelsea academy graduate Reece James currently serves as the first captain of the senior team. The 24-year-old, who earned his professional contract at the club in July 2019, is worth €40 million ($44.07 million). The right-back would have been much higher on the list had it not been for frequent, progress-hindering injuries.

In five odd years, James has played only 158 games for the Pensioners in all competitions. He has scored 11 goals and provided 22 assists, helping the club win one UEFA Champions League and one UEFA Super Cup.

#7 Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad): €45 million ($49.57 million)

One of the most talented players in La Liga, Real Sociedad skipper Mikel Oyarzabal is worth €45 million ($49.57 million). The 27-year-old joined Sociedad from SD Eibar Youth in July 2011. Rising through the ranks, he earned his professional contract with Sociedad in January 2016.

Oyarzabal, who scored in Spain’s 2-1 win over England in the 2024 European Championship final, has played 347 matches for the Basque outfit, recording 97 goals and 53 assists. The left-winger has won just one trophy with Sociedad — the Copa del Rey in 2019-20.

#6 Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspur): €45 million ($49.57 million)

Tottenham Hotspur left-winger Heung-min Son is the sixth-most valuable captain across the top five European leagues. According to Transfermarkt, the South Korean hero is worth a staggering €45 million ($49.57 million). Son, who has done a superb job at filling in for Harry Kane since he left for Bayern Munich last summer, joined the North London club from Bayer Leverkusen in August 2015.

Son, 32, has appeared in 411 games for the Lilywhites in all competitions, scoring 164 times and providing 84 assists. He has yet to win a trophy with them but has a Premier League Golden Boot to his name (23 goals in 2021-22).

#5 Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United): €50 million ($55.08 million)

In fifth place, we have talented West Ham United winger, Jarrod Bowen. The 27-year-old, who has been with West Ham United since switching from Hull City in January 2020, is worth €50 million ($55.08 million).

Bowen has represented West Ham in 206 matches in all competitions, netting 62 goals and providing 39 assists. Bowen was the Hammers’ standout performer as they won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022-23, with him chipping in with five goals and two assists in 11 outings.

#4 Marquinhos (PSG): €50 million ($55.08 million)

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) captain Marquinhos is Ligue 1’s sole representative on this list. As per Transfermarkt, the brilliant center-back is worth €50 million ($55.08 million), which makes him the most valuable center-back in the division. The Brazil international has been at PSG since moving from AS Roma in July 2013.

The senior-most player at PSG, Marquinhos has scored 38 times in 446 matches for Les Parisiens in all competitions. The 30-year-old has secured a whopping 31 honors at PSG, including 10 Ligue 1 titles and seven Coupe de France trophies.

#3 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): €70 million ($77.12 million)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag officially took the captain’s armband from Harry Maguire and handed it to Bruno Fernandes ahead of the 2023-24 season. The gifted Portugal attacking midfielder, who is worth €70 million ($77.12 million), has not always covered himself in glory in terms of his leadership skills. However, his ability to single-handedly decide matches more than makes up for his shortcomings.

Since moving to Manchester from Sporting CP in January 2020, Fernandes has participated in 237 games across competitions, registering 79 goals and 67 assists. So far, he has won one FA Cup and one Carabao Cup with the Red Devils.

#2 Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan): €110 million ($121.18 million)

The most valuable player in Serie A, €110 million ($121.18 million)-man Lautaro Martinez also happens to wear the armband for Inter Milan. The Ballon d’Or nominee, who lets his actions speak louder than words, has been with the Nerazzurri since joining from Racing Club in July 2018.

The two-time Copa America and 2022 FIFA World Cup winner with Argentina has played 284 games for Inter thus far, scoring 129 times and claiming 43 assists. Martinez has won two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia, and three Supercoppa de Italiana with the club.

#1 Martin Odegaard (Arsenal): €110 million ($121.18 million)

At the summit sits Arsenal’s creator-in-chief, the magnificent Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian attacking midfielder, who has been playing for Arsenal since January 2021 (initially joined on loan), is currently worth €110 million ($121.18 million).

A specialist in breaking opposition lines, Odegaard has played 156 games for Arsenal, scoring 35 goals and providing 25 assists. The midfielder, who may not feature in Sunday’s (September 15) North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur due to an ankle injury, has only won one FA Community Shield under Mikel Arteta.