Victor Boniface, the Nigerian international and Werder Bremen striker, has joined a distinguished group of football stars such as Phil Foden and Vinícius Jr. who have witnessed a notable decline in their market valuations in 2025, as reported by Soccernet.ng.
Although a player’s on-pitch achievements primarily dictate their market price, several other factors-including age, contract length, projected potential, economic climate, and injury record-play crucial roles in influencing these value shifts.
As 2025 draws to a close, Soccernet.ng takes a closer look at the footballers who have experienced the steepest drops in market worth this year, referencing data from Transfermarkt.
1. Phil Foden
Phil Foden, the inventive midfielder for Manchester City, earned the Premier League Player of the Season award for 2023/2024 after scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists, playing a pivotal role in Pep Guardiola’s team securing their fourth consecutive league title.
Despite his outstanding previous season, Foden’s form dipped in 2025, managing only seven goals as Manchester City slipped to third place behind Arsenal and Liverpool. This downturn caused his market value to fall sharply from €140 million in 2024 to €80 million this year, a €60 million decrease.
2. Vinícius Jr.
Vinícius Jr., the dynamic winger for Real Madrid and a Ballon d’Or nominee following his instrumental role in Madrid’s 2024 UEFA Champions League victory at Wembley, has seen his valuation decline. The arrival of Kylian Mbappé and missing out on the Ballon d’Or, which went to Manchester City’s Rodri, may have impacted his consistency.
His market value dropped from €200 million in 2024 to €150 million in 2025, reflecting a €50 million reduction.
3. Gavi
After clinching the 2022 Kopa Trophy, Gavi’s upward trajectory was interrupted by a severe cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for nearly 11 months. Since then, he has struggled to return to peak fitness.
Currently undergoing arthroscopic surgery to treat a meniscus issue in his right knee, Gavi’s market value has decreased by €40 million, now standing at €40 million.
4. Rodri
Rodri, who earned the 2024 Ballon d’Or, suffered a cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for 53 matches across club and international duties. This prolonged absence led to a drop in his market value from €130 million to €90 million.
5. Eduardo Camavinga
At just 22 years old, Camavinga’s playing opportunities at Real Madrid have diminished over the past year, exacerbated by two hamstring injuries and an ankle problem.
These physical setbacks have contributed to a decline in his market value from €80 million in 2024 to €50 million in 2025.
6. Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal’s captain experienced a downturn in form during the 2024 season, with a 33% drop in goal contributions and an ankle sprain that kept him out for nearly three months.
These challenges caused his market value to fall from €110 million to €80 million.
7. Bernardo Silva
The Portuguese midfielder was instrumental in over 20 goal involvements as Manchester City secured the 2024 title, but his impact waned the following season, contributing to only nine goals and assists combined.
Consequently, Silva’s market value has decreased by €28 million, now valued at €32 million.
8. Victor Boniface
Injuries disrupted Boniface’s momentum at Bayer Leverkusen, leading to him losing his starting spot to Patrick Schick. After an impressive debut season tallying 21 goals and nine assists in 2024, the Nigerian striker managed just 11 goals in 2025.
A planned transfer to AC Milan was called off due to injury concerns, and he subsequently joined Werder Bremen on a season-long loan without a transfer fee.
Boniface’s current market value is €20 million, down from €45 million last year.
9. Dušan Vlahović
The Serbian striker’s market value has fallen by €25 million to €35 million after recording his lowest goal tally in a domestic season since 2021.
10. James Maddison
Following his €46.3 million move from Leicester City to Tottenham Hotspur in 2024, Maddison’s market value has dropped to €35 million due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained earlier this year.