Football's 25 Most Valuable Players In 2006 Featured A Crazy Number Of Legends

A list of the most valuable footballers from 2006 has been uncovered and it's crazy to see the amount of legendary names on it.

Per Transfermarkt, it's Barcelona and Brazil legend Ronaldinho who tops the list with a value of €70 million 14 years ago.

The former Ballon d'Or winner was at the peak of his powers and it was that year he won the Champions League trophy with his side.

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Check out the full list below which also features some well known English superstars.

25.) Gianluca Zambrotta (Juventus & Italy) - €28 million

24.) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus & Sweden) - €28 million

23.) Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona & Spain) - €28 million

22.) David Beckham (Real Madrid & England) - €28 million

21.) David Trezeguet (Juventus & France) - €30 million

20.) Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen & Germany) - €30 million

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19.) John Terry (Chelsea & England) - €30 million

18.) Alberto Gilardino (AC Milan & Italy) - €30 million

17.) Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan & Italy) - €32 million

16.) Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Brazil) - €33 million

15.) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool & England) - €34 million

14.) Kaka (AC Milan & Brazil) - €35 million

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13.) Adriano (Inter Milan & Brazil) - €35 million

12.) Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan & France) - €35 million

11.) Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy) - €35 million

10.) Michael Ballack (Chelsea & Germany) - €35 million

9.) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United & England) - €36 million

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8.) Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid & Netherlands) - €36 million

7.) Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona & Cameroon) - €36 million

6.) Michael Essien (Chelsea & Ghana) - €36.5 million

5.) Francesco Totti (AS Roma & Italy ) - €37 million

4.) Frank Lampard (Chelsea & England) - €38.5 million

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3.) Thierry Henry (Arsenal & France) - €50 million

2.) Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea & Ukraine) - €51 million

1.) Ronaldinho (Barcelona & Brazil) - €70 million

One thing that's clear to see is how transfer fees have risen in the last decade and a half.

Ronaldinho being the most valuable player at €70 million would be an absolute steal in the current market.

The list is also filled with players who were just about to hit their decline including Andriy Shevchenko and Patrick Vieira.

It would be crazy to see how much these players would go for in the modern market.

Topics: Frank Lampard, Football News, Ronaldinho, Football, Adriano, Steven Gerrard

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

@DanMarland_