The most valuable players in 2004 - Ronaldinho on the same level as Ziyech and Davies

©TM/IMAGO

Porto won the Champions League under José Mourinho, and Otto Rehagel led Greece to their first international title, winning the 2004 European Championships. Meanwhile, in England, Arsenal won the title under manager Arsène Wenger without losing a single game. The year 2004 was a historic year, not just in world football but also Transfermarkt. In October 2004, TM introduced market values. 

Unlike today, however, no player had a triple-digit market value. With a market value of €50 million, Ronaldinho was the most valuable player—today, 96 players have a higher market value. When compared to today's market values, Ronaldinho has the same market value as Ferran Torres, Hakim Ziyech, or Alphonso Davies.  

Other players included in our top 25 market value gallery would miss the jump into today's top 100. Names that would miss out include, Ronaldo (market value €45 million), Ruud van Nistelrooy (€40 million) and David Beckham (€40 million).

Porto and Arsenal were the most dominant teams in 2004. The Gunners managed to stay undefeated throughout the 2003/04 season and are now known as the Invincibles; the Premier League even presented the club with a special gold trophy at the end of the season. The team is still considered one of the best club teams in history. 

Three Arsenal players were in the top 10 of the most valuable players in 2004. Patrick Vieira (€35 million), José Antonio Reyes (€35 million) and Thierry Henry (€45 million) made the list. 

Only one player that made the top 25 is still active today. In 2004, Wayne Rooney moved from Everton to Manchester United. Labeled the biggest talent in English football, the 19-year-old had a market value of €37 million, more than the then 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo (€18 million) and the 17-year-old Lionel Messi. Messi made his debut in October and had a market value of €3 million.

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In Germany, Werder Bremen won the Bundesliga title. Michael Ballack had the highest market value at €30 million. Today he would be at the lower end of Bayern Munich's top 15 players sorted by market value.