The World Cup semifinals are here, and some of the planet’s most expensive soccer players still haven’t seen a single minute of action. Transfermarkt ran the numbers on the highest-valued guys who’ve been glued to the bench throughout the tournament, and the total is staggering.
Martin Zubimendi leads the list. The Spanish midfielder carries a market value around $82 million (adjusting from euros) and hasn’t stepped on the field. Right behind him is England’s Kobbie Mainoo at roughly $76 million. That’s two elite talents, combined value pushing $160 million, watching from the sideline.
From a German perspective, Assan Ouédraogo makes the cut. The Leipzig teenager is valued at about $30 million. Add up the top 20 benchwarmers by market value and you get a combined $650 million or so in talent that coaches haven’t used yet.
Why aren’t these guys playing? It’s not necessarily a knock on their ability. Some are young prospects being eased into tournament pressure. Others play positions where veteran stars ahead of them are locked in. And a few might be tactical mismatches for specific opponents. The coaching staffs have their reasons, even if fantasy managers and fans are screaming for them to get a shot.
Zubimendi is a fascinating case. He’s been a key figure for Real Sociedad and Spain in recent years, but this tournament la Selección has leaned on Rodri in the midfield pivot. That’s a tough guy to unseat. Mainoo broke into Manchester United’s first team and immediately looked like a future star for England, but Gareth Southgate (or whoever is managing now) hasn’t found minutes for him yet in knockout games where every substitution carries huge weight.
Ouédraogo is the youngest of the bunch at 19. He’s already a regular for RB Leipzig, but international tournament experience is a different beast. Germany likely sees him as a future centerpiece, not an emergency option right now.
Some of these guys will get their chance if the games go to extra time or if injuries force changes. But for now, they’re the most expensive spectators at the World Cup. The combined price tag on the bench is a reminder that talent alone doesn’t get you on the field in a tournament this intense. Sometimes the coach just likes the other guy better.
This article was adapted from reporting by OneFootball and Transfermarkt. The original story appeared in German.
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