Football Manager 2018: Neymar, Messi & the most expensive players in the game

The beta version of Football Manager 2018 went live on October 26, giving football fans their first chance to test out the newest version of the game and take charge of their favourite team.

Virtual managers will be looking to strengthen their teams as soon as they start up the game, but many of the world's biggest and best names may be a little out of their price range at the beginning. 

Following his €222 million transfer from Barcelona to PSG, Brazil forward Neymar is the joint most expensive player in FM 2018, with a market value of €95 million. However, even if you do have that much to spend in your initial wage budget, it is unlikely that the Ligue 1 giants will be willing to sell their new superstar.

Lionel Messi is also valued at €95m, with Manchester City's dynamic midfielder Kevin de Bruyne coming in just behind at €87m.

Having won the FIFA Best Men's Player in the World Award at the Best Awards in late October, Cristiano Ronaldo is more valued in real life than in the newest version of Football Manager, with his value dropping to €55m thanks to the fact he is now 32-years-old.

WHO ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLAYERS IN FM 2018?

Ronaldo's €55m valuation in Football Manager 2018 means that he is not one of the top 25 most expensive players in the game, coming below Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana (€56m) and level with Real Madrid team-mates Marcelo and Raphael Varane.

The vast majority of the top 25 is made up of players from Real Madrid, Manchester City and Barcelona, with Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester United also represented. France wonderkid Kylian Mbappe is valued at €58m after his switch to PSG, while new Barcelona signing Ousmane Dembele just misses the top 25 at €56m.