In 2018, it was a close call between France and Belgium. This time, the duel looks more unbalanced…at least on paper.
Millions and players’ market values are not everything. That would be to forget the glorious uncertainty of sport. We remember in particular the famous quote from Johan Cruijffwho said: “I have never seen a wallet score a goal.”
But these values are still indicators. And in the case of the match between France and Belgiumthey give our neighbors wide favorites.
Het Laatste Nieuws had fun counting the market value of the last Belgian starting eleven lined up against Ukraine: the team lined up would be worth 319.5 million euros according to Transfermarkt.
France, an incredible reservoir of talent
On the Blues’ side, the eleven deployed against Poland climbs to 702 million, more than double. But that’s not all: even the 14 French reserves are estimated to be more expensive than the Belgian eleven (562 million, a value that remains higher than that of our starters by bringing the average down to 11 players).
On Monday, it will therefore take an extra soul to make these supposed differences invisible on the ground. After all, the France has not yet performed like a 700 million team in this Euro.
