Where there are winners, there will always be a group on the losing side. While teams like Bayern Munich and Manchester City thrived in 2021, superclubs like Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund had to face the harsh winds of uncertainty, causing them to tumble down from their former best. Similar to the fates of such clubs, certain players also experienced a disappointing 2021, failing to deliver on what was expected from them. On that note, let’s take a look at the 5 biggest market value losers of 2021.
5. Joao Felix – €100M to €60M (-€40M)
The boy wonder Joao Felix was expected to eventually replace the outgoing Antoine Griezmann when he arrived at Atletico Madrid for a whopping €127.2 million in 2019. Fast forward three years, and the Portuguese forward is yet to justify his hefty price tag. Felix has a mediocre output of 21 goals and 11 assists to show his efforts in 91 appearances for Los Rojiblancos. Considering his sky-high potential, it is safe to say the 22-year-old is yet to deliver on his initial promise. With just two goals this term, Felix has a challenging road ahead.
4. Lionel Messi – €100M to €60M (-€40M)
Lionel Messi recently created history by claiming his seventh Ballon d’Or title, by far the most by any player ever. Even at the ripe old age of 34, the little Argentinian is performing brilliantly, taking a rugged Barcelona side to Copa del Rey glory last year. However, his controversial transfer to PSG has been far from ideal, with Messi only producing 11 goal contributions for his new club. With just a solitary goal in Ligue 1 so far, La Pulga has definitely underperformed according to his own godly standards. Subsequently, Messi was subjected to a €40 million deduction from his market value last year.
3. Sadio Mane – €120M to €80M (-€40M)
A vital part of the iconic Liverpool front three, Sadio Mane has been an ever-present under Jurgen Klopp ever since he arrived at Anfield in 2016. The pacy left-winger has served his club brilliantly in the past years, becoming a crucial cog in the all-conquering Liverpool side that claimed the Premier League title and the Champions League title in a span of two years. However, age has finally caught up with the Senegalese international as he is a lot less prolific in the final third now than he was two seasons back. Despite being capable of performing at the topmost level, Mane’s decreasing efficiency earned him a €40 million reduction in his market value last year.
2. Philippe Coutinho – €60M to €18M (-€42M)
Philippe Coutinho has gradually become the perfect example of how quickly a star player can lose their way into obscurity. The Brazilian creator has been on a downward spiral professionally ever since he landed in Catalonia to sign for Barcelona. The €135 million signing has been absolutely inconsequential for the Blaugrana in the past four years, failing to find a spot in the starting lineup despite his hefty price tag. Subsequently, his valuation has sunken down from a massive €150 million in 2018 to just €18 million as of now. The former Liverpool star has recently signed a deal with Aston Villa for the remainder of the season.
1. Eden Hazard – €60M to €18M (-€42M)
If there’s one player who can top Coutinho in terms of disappointing signings in recent years, it has to be Eden Hazard. Ever since signing for dream club Real Madrid, Hazard’s fitness has taken a catastrophic hit, spending the majority of his time in Spain either on the treatment table or the bench. The former Chelsea talisman is now a shadow of his past self, failing to produce even a percentage of the magic he used to showcase at Stamford Bridge for fun. With just four goals last season, the Real Madrid flop is now valued at just €18 million, his lowest quotation since 2010.
