20 years market values 

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In 2006, Italy won their fourth World Cup in Germany, and Lionel Messi with a market value of €15m won his first Champions League title. As part of 20 years of market values, Transfermarkt looks back to the most valuable players of every season, starting with 2004. Today is all about the 2005/06 season, with a focus on two Italian World Cup winners and Chelsea. 

Once again, the most valuable player was Ronaldinho, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 with a market value of €70m. That would be just enough to be in the top 50 today, and the Brazilian would be on the same level as Tottenham’s James Maddison. The Brazilian played outstanding in LaLiga, scoring 17 goals and 18 assists in 29 games. On top of that, Ronaldinho delivered 12 goals on Barca’s path to winning the Champions League. In second place was Arsenal’s Thierry Henry (€45m), who lost the Champions League final to Barcelona, and then Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy (€40m). 

Chelsea dominated the most valuable XI in 2005/06. The London club defended the league, conceding just 22 goals in 38 games. Michael Essien (€38m), Shaun Wright-Phillips (€31.5m) and John Terry (€28m) were part of the top XI that year. Manchester United had two players in the squad: Rio Ferdinand (€29.5m) and van Nistelrooy. AC Milan stars Kaká and Alessandro Nesta, as well as Juventus’ goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (all €35m), represented the league of the World Cup winners.