According to statistics published by specialised football site Transfermarkt, the FC Barcelona forward is the most expensive player in the world, along with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, with a market value of around $134 million, Xinhua reported.
This means that at the start of the World Cup qualifiers, Brazil will be the most expensive team in South America, valued at $465 million. This is $25 million more than the current Argentinian team even though Brazil are also without their star striker Neymar.
Without Messi, Sergio Aguero becomes Argentina's most expensive player with a market value of $67 million followed by Angel Di Maria, who is worth around $56 million, according to the soccer information website.
Brazil's price table is headed by English club Chelsea's midfielder Oscar with a cost of $42.6 million followed by forwards Hulk and Lucas who the site evaluates at $41.4 million and 35.8 million respectively.
In terms of the market price of players, the third most expensive South American team is Colombia even though their star James Rodriguez ($89.6 million) is currently absent from the team. The current team is allegedly valued at $207 million.
Behind them is Uruguay ($151 million), Chile ($119 million), Ecuador ($74 million), Peru ($50 million), Venezuela ($42 million) and Paraguay ($38 million).
Bolivia come in at last place with a team that is valued at only $5.6 million.