Top 10 record holders of player value from various Asian countries: Son Heung-min is 1st, Wu Lei is 8th

Hupu reported on November 19 that the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifying rounds have come to an end. Eight teams including Iran, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Jordan, Qatar, Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia have locked in their seats in the main draw, while Iraq will compete for the last World Cup ticket through the intercontinental play-offs.

While the qualifying pattern in Asia is clear, the German transfer market (Transfermarkt) also took stock of the latest comprehensive list of "the most valuable players in history from Asian countries". The list is based on the peak value of players from each country in their careers. Each country selects a "most expensive player in history" and then combines these representatives to rank the overall list.

According to the peak value given by Dezhuan, the top ten in the comprehensive list (including ties) are as follows:

1. Son Heung-min (South Korea): worth 90 million euros (2020)

2. Kubo Takeuchi (Japan): worth 60 million euros (2023)

3. Hu Sanov (Uzbekistan): worth 35 million euros (2025)

4. Azmoun (Iran): worth 25 million euros (2021)

5. Kewell (Australia): worth 20 million euros (2004)

6. Dahoud (Syria) Asia): worth 18 million euros (2018)

7. Odro (Indonesia): worth 15 million euros (2019)

8. Wu Lei (China): worth 10 million euros (2019)

8. Chaudhry (Bangladesh): worth 10 million euros (2019)

10. Afif (Qatar): worth 8 million euros (2025)

10. Tamari (Jordan): worth 8 million euros (2024)

10. Etheridge (Philippines): worth 8 million euros (2019)