When Real Madrid emerged as the richest club in the world this year, hardly any eyebrows were raised. After all, the Los Galacticos have assembled the biggest stars in the world. But, for among the squads assembled for the World Cup, it is neither Brazil with their galaxy of stars, nor Italy, Argentina or France, which tops the list of the costliest team. But, more later about the team that does.

The hosts have a few players who would set the cash registers ringing. Star midfielder Michael Ballack will move for nothing this summer after ending his contract at Bayern Munich, but it’s a fair bet that he would fetch at least £25 million at Chelsea. Ballack is followed by Cologne wonder-boy Lukas Podolski, highly-rated Werder Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski and Bayern prospect Bastian Schweinsteiger and it is estimated that the team’s net worth comes around £100 million.

Germany’s rival Holland are worth £80 million, with Barcelona midfielder Mark van Bommel (£15million) and Chelsea’s Arjen Robben (£12million) the most glittering stars.

France would amount to around £120 million, even though there are many for whom this would be the last World Cup. Veterans David Trezeguet and Patrick Vieira are worth £25 million and £12 mlllion each, while Chelsea’s William Gallas (£15 million), and Lyon’s Sylvain Wiltord (£10 million) are still in the eight-figure bracket along with the master Zinedine Zidane.

Argentina and Italy both slated around £140 million. Lionel Messi’s age and promise make him a £30million player. Teammate Juan Riquelme is worth around £25million, while Carlos Tevez comes in for just £5 million less. Italy boasts of one of the richest line-ups of strikers in the world in AC Milan’s Alberto Gilardino (£25 million), £20 million-rated Luca Toni of Fiorentina, and Real Madrid’s Antonio Cassano (£10 million).

... contd.