The Billion-Dollar Clásico: Real Madrid and Barcelona Compete in History's Most Expensive Match

Real Madrid hosts its arch-rival Barcelona this evening, Sunday, in the tenth round of La Liga. This match is not just a sports rivalry but an unprecedented economic phenomenon. This Clásico will be crowned the most expensive match in football history.

This clash reflects the scale of modern football, driven by investment and talent. The total market value of the starting 22 players is an astonishing €1.771 billion. When counting the full squads, the total reaches €2.51 billion.

Clásico Tops the List of the Most Expensive Matches

The figures confirm that the Clásico will top the list of the most expensive matches, surpassing all previous encounters, even those involving financially dominant English teams. The list of the most expensive matches in football history so far is as follows:

• Real Madrid vs. Barcelona – Spanish Super Cup 2025: €1.67 billion.

• Manchester City vs. Real Madrid – Champions League 2024/25: €1.67 billion.

• Real Madrid vs. Arsenal – Champions League 2024/25: €1.64 billion.

• Real Madrid vs. Manchester City – Champions League 2023/24: €1.62 billion.

• Arsenal vs. Real Madrid – Champions League 2024/25: €1.63 billion.

• Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid – FIFA Club World Cup 2025: €1.61 billion.

• Manchester City vs. Real Madrid – Champions League 2023/24: €1.58 billion.

• Manchester City vs. Arsenal – Premier League 2023/24: €1.58 billion.

• Real Madrid vs. Barcelona – La Liga 2024/25: €1.54 billion.

• Liverpool vs. Manchester City – Premier League 2019/20: €1.53 billion.

Notably, Real Madrid appeared in eight out of these ten matches, while Barcelona only featured twice in the previous top ten list.

€953 Million for Real Madrid vs. €736 Million for Barcelona

A study by "Transfermarkt" highlighted Real Madrid's superiority in terms of the market value of its starting lineup.

Real Madrid (Total Starting XI Value: €953 Million):

• The team saw a decrease in Vinícius Júnior's value from €200 million to €150 million, ceding the top spot as the most valuable player to Lamine Yamal.

• The starting players' values are: Thibaut Courtois (€20M), Dani Carvajal (€8M), Éder Militão (€30M), Dean Huijsen (€70M), Fran García and Carreras (€50M), Aurélien Tchouaméni (€75M), Arda Güler (€60M), Federico Valverde (€130M), Jude Bellingham (€180M), Vinícius Júnior (€150M), and Kylian Mbappé (€180M).

• The bulk of the value is concentrated in the midfield and attack, driven significantly by new summer signings.

Barcelona (Total Starting XI Value: €736 Million):

• Barcelona relies on a long-term "La Masia" philosophy, with rising talents like Lamine Yamal (€200 million), Pedri (€140 million), and Pau Cubarsí (€80 million) forming the largest part of the team's market value.

• The values of the remaining starters are: Wojciech Szczęsny (€1M), Eric García (€25M), Ronald Araújo (€35M), Alejandro Balde (€60M), Frenkie de Jong (€45M), Fermín López (€60M), Ferran Torres (€50M), and Marcus Rashford (€40M).

Regardless of the economic figures, the first Clásico of the season promises to be a thrilling tactical and competitive encounter.