Staggering Economic Gap Between Atlético de Madrid and Seattle Sounders Ahead of Club World Cup Clash

Ahead of the Group B clash between Atlético de Madrid and Seattle Sounders in the Club World Cup, the numbers tell a story of economic contrast. According to data from 'Transfermarkt', Julián Álvarez, the Argentine striker for the Spanish side, has a market value of €100 million—more than double the entire roster of the Seattle Sounders, valued at just €48.15 million.

In total, Atlético de Madrid boasts a squad worth €506.3 million, while the MLS side's market value doesn’t even reach one-tenth of that figure. The financial gulf illustrates the imbalance many teams face when competing on this international stage.

American Roster Faces Massive Challenge Against European Giant

Among the Seattle Sounders squad, the most valuable player is Mexican international Obed Vargas, priced at €6 million. For comparison, that would place him among the lowest-valued players in the Atlético squad, only ahead of Thomas Lemar (€5M), Reinildo Mandava (€5M), Javi Galán (€4M), Juan Musso (€3.5M), Carlos Martín (€2.8M), Axel Witsel (€2M), and César Azpilicueta (€1.5M).

The rest of Seattle’s team—featuring players like Cristian Roldán, Álex Roldán, Pedro de la Vega, Jesús Ferreira, and Jordan Morris—have valuations under €4 million. In fact, twelve members of the squad are valued below €1 million.

In stark contrast, Atlético de Madrid fields stars like Pablo Barrios (€55M), Robin Le Normand (€40M), Conor Gallagher (€40M), and Giuliano Simeone (€35M). Other key names such as Rodrigo de Paul, Marcos Llorente, Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak, and José María Giménez significantly outprice any member of the Sounders.