Major League Soccer market values: Lionel Messi down – Heung-Min Son hits 10 year low

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With the conclusion of the MLS Cup Playoffs Final in Fort Lauderdale, Transfermarkt has updated the market values of 827 Major League Soccer players. The most significant changes are once again at the top and involve several superstars who, despite their considerable contributions this year, saw their market values negatively affected by age-related downgrades. This involves MLS Cup winner and Inter Miami CF star Lionel Messi, as well as LAFC superstar Heung-min Son. The league’s most valuable player, Riqui Puig, who missed all of 2025, also saw his market value downgraded by 10% from €20 million to €18m.

Although Transfermarkt tries to avoid downgrading injured players, the slight downgrade for Puig was necessary. After missing an entire season with an ACL tear suffered in the 2024 Western Conference finals, the LA Galaxy star has been back in training but failed to feature in a single game. There is no doubt that when fully fit, he is one of the best players in the league. But his market value will certainly be impacted by the prolonged abstinence. Furthermore, the 26-year-old Spaniard will now have to confirm his lofty market value, which he received following the Galaxy’s 2024 MLS Cup-winning campaign.

Meanwhile, all the focus in this year’s playoffs has been on Messi. Although the Argentine broke record after record, a downgrade was unavoidable for the 38-year-old megastar. “Messi once again played a fantastic season,” Transfermarkt Data Administrator North America Dominic Becker said. “He remains the vocal point of Miami’s game and was crucial for the club to win its first-ever MLS Cup. But he is also getting older, even if you don’t notice it with his performances, and despite the downgrade, he remains the most valuable player of his age category.” Indeed, the downgrade was widely discussed, but Cristiano Ronaldo‘s similar downgrade at the same age made it unavoidable for Messi to go down by €3m, from €18m to €15m.

MLS market values: Ups and downs for Inter Miami – Son and Müller downgraded

Messi isn’t the only Inter Miami star to be downgraded. Defensive midfielder Rodrigo De Paul saw his second market value drop in as many updates. Signed as an enforcer to strengthen the Miami midfield, De Paul was one of the heroes in the MLS Cup final. But the Argentine isn’t getting any younger, and the €5m drop from €20m to €15m better represents the €15m purchase option in his loan agreement. But while Messi and De Paul are down, the news was better elsewhere. Among the upgrades are wonderkid Mateo Silvetti (+€1m to €6m), Tadeo Allende (+€2m to €5m), who broke the MLS Cup Playoff record with nine goals, and Telasco Segovia (+€1.5m to €4.5m).

Away from Inter Miami, two other former European stars saw their market value downgraded. At LAFC, Son has been sensational since he arrived in MLS, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists. “He didn’t need any time to get used to his new environment,” Becker said. “Together with Denis Bouanga (unchanged at €8m) he created a dangerous duo and without a doubt, the two will also be dangerous next season. But Son is now 33, which means an age-related downgrade is unavoidable at this stage.” Indeed, the Korean, who has been popular on and off the pitch, breaking all sorts of jersey sale records in Southern California, saw his market value downgraded by €3m to €17m, which makes him the second most valuable player in MLS. It is the lowest market value for Son since June 2015, when he was still playing in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen.

Son wasn’t the only summer arrival to bring instant success to his new team. At the Vancouver Whitecaps, Thomas Müller helped his team reach the first-ever MLS Cup Final, where they lost narrowly to Messi’s Inter Miami. Despite the defeat, Müller became the most decorated German player in history after winning the Canadian Championship earlier this season. “Müller’s impact could be felt from the first day,” Becker said. “His footballing ability and character have lifted the Whitecaps to a new level both on and off the field. He leads, takes on responsibilities, and is an integral part of a very strong team. Despite a small downgrade from €6m to €5m he remains one of the most valuable players in his age category.”

MLS market values: Many upgrades for Vancouver – Dreyer leads San Diego

While Müller saw his market value downgraded, the same wasn’t true for many of his teammates. Leading the charge among the upgrades is US men’s national team midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. The 24-year-old has been sensational this season and will be in high demand this winter, and, as a result, saw his market value increase by 66.7% from €3m to €5m. Other notable upgrades at the Whitecaps are Ali Ahmed (+€500,000 to €4m), Yohei Takaoka (+€500,000 to €3.5m), Tristan Blackmon (+€300,000 to €3.5m), Mathías Laborda (+€1.5m to €3.5m), Édier Ocampo (+€1m to €3m), and Emmanuel Sabbi (+€1m to €2.5m).

Meanwhile, at Western Conference finalist San Diego FC, Andres Dreyer has been one of the biggest winners of the update. “We are running out of words to describe his performances,” Becker said. “The 41 direct goal involvements speak for themselves, and he is an important member of Denmark’s national team. Still only 27, he has now hit his peak and for good reason was one of the MLS MVP finalists.” Dreyer saw his market value increase by 25% from €12m to €15m.

Dreyer headlines what has been an excellent first season by the club. The noticeable update concerns Hirving Lozano, whose market value was downgraded by €2m from €10m to €8m. Although they were knocked out by the Whitecaps in the Western Conference final, there is no doubt that it has been a special season for the expansion side. As a result, several upgrades have been made to the Southern California-based club. Notable upgrades include Luca Bombino (+€1.2m to €2.5m), Manu Duah (+€900,000 to €1m), Christopher McVey (+€1m to €2m), and Onni Valakari (+€1m to €5m).

MLS market values: Cavan Sullivan receives initial market value – Talents to watch

As always, there are several wonderkids to keep an eye on, and the most prominent is Cavan Sullivan. The 16-year-old Philadelphia Union talent became the youngest player in MLS history during the 2024 season and continues to make significant progress. “He is considered the biggest talent in US football,” Becker said. “This season, he has been a regular in the Union squad and has featured on several occasions. Plus, he has been excellent in MLS Next Pro.” It is an open secret that Sullivan will join Man City when he turns 18 for a deal worth in the region of $5m (€4.3m). With that in mind, Transfermarkt has set Sullivan’s opening market value at €3.5m.

Other notable young stars with upgrades include New England Revolution wing-back Peyton Miller. The 18-year-old saw his market value upgraded by 500% from €500,000 to €3m. At LAFC, 19-year-old Venezuelan striker David Martínez saw his market value increase by €1m to €4m. Furthermore, Charlotte FC’s 19-year-old midfielder Baye Coulibaly received a starting market value of €1.5m. Other teenagers to watch are New England’s Allan Oyirwoth (+300% to €400,000), Columbus Crew’s T aha Habroune (+166.7% to €400,000), and Vancouver’s Rayan Elloumi, who received a starting market value of €300,000.

How Transfermarkt market values work

The Transfermarkt market values are calculated, taking into account various pricing models. A major factor is the Transfermarkt community, whose members discuss and evaluate player market values in detail. In general, the Transfermarkt market values are not to be equated with transfer fees.

The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed market value definition here).