Belgium vs France – The most valuable eleven of all time from players of both nations

8 French players make up the eleven

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The Nations League is hardly a competition that sends soccer fans into hysterics, but it does have a habit of pitting some of Europe's historically greatest soccer nations against each other outside of the typical framework of a major international tournament. On Monday evening, Belgium's “Golden Generation” backline will face 2018 world champions France in the qualifying competition in Group A2.

Both teams have won their first two games and are three points behind group leaders Italy. This tie also brings with it a historic rivalry between neighboring nations that dates back decades. In total, Belgium and France have faced each other 77 times since 1904. The Belgians won 30 times, the French won 28 and there were 19 draws. But which of the two European heavyweights has produced the most valuable players in recent decades?

Since Transfer market Although the company began recording market values ​​in 2004, ten players from Belgium and France have already broken the 100 million euro barrier: seven from France and three from Belgium. Eden Hazard (150 million euros in 2018), Kevin De Bruyne (150 million euros in 2018) and Romelu Lukaku (100 million euros in 2018) are the representatives of their country. For France, Kylian Mbappé reached 200 million euros in 2018, Antoine Griezmann reached a record market value of 150 million euros and Ousmane Dembélé reached 120 million euros. Four French midfielders have reached 100 million euros – currently Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni, as well as Paul Pogba and N'golo Kante in 2019 and 2018.

The most valuable eleven from record market values ​​of Belgian and French players

If we put together the most valuable eleven based on the record market values ​​of Belgian and French stars, it makes for a pretty good team. Incredibly, the XI would have a market value of €1.21 billion. Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who reached a market value of 75 million euros in 2020, sits on the post. The entire defense is French, with Lucas Hernández (70 million euros) at left-back, Raphaël Varane (80 million euros) and William Saliba (80 million euros) as central defenders and Jules Koundé (60 million euros) at right-back.

Two of the three midfielders are current Frenchmen from Real Madrid: Tchouaméni (100 million euros) and Camavinga (100 million euros). Both players currently still hold this market value. This pair features Belgian legend De Bruyne, who reached his highest market value of 150 million euros in 2018. The first three players are promising. On the left is Hazard (€150 million), through the middle is Mbappé (€200 million) and on the right is Griezmann (€150 million).