On the one hand, spending money (especially if the amount is expressed in nine digits) is an act of faith in a particular football player. On the other hand, the money transfer places the burden of the hopes and hopes of the team and its fans on the shoulders of this very football player. And it is able to cause a violent reaction if a football player does not justify expectations.
But let's leave the lyrics and move on to specific numbers. Here are ten of the most expensive transfers in football history, with the names of the players and the amounts paid for them.
10. Eden Hazard
Price: 100 million euros.
In the summer of 2019, Eden finally completed his transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid. The footballer himself has repeatedly declared his desire to leave the foggy Albion and move to sunnier places, but the "blue" managed to keep the Belgian at home for another year.
This creative and speedy footballer has scored 21 goals and 17 assists during the season, confirming his reputation as a high-class player.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
Price: 100 million euros.
One of the most beautiful football players in the world has already reached the old age for an athlete (he is 34 years old). He moved from Real Madrid to Juventus in 2018, making him the oldest player in the top 10 most expensive transfers.
Although the age of Portugal's football icon has raised concerns, Cristiano's performance is still brilliant. It seems like good wine, Ronaldo's age only colors.
8. Gareth Bale
Price: 100.8 million euros.
In 2013, Bale's transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid broke all world records. This football star cost the new team even more than Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
At this price, naturally everyone expected Bale to play at or above Ronaldo, but his first six months at Real Madrid were marred by injuries. However, fans got their dose of happiness watching a sensational victory over Barcelona in the Spanish Cup final.
Until now, Bale is considered one of the fastest footballers in the world, as proved by two goals scored against Liverpool in the Champions League final. Bale actually won this match for his team. True, the athlete did not like the long stay on the bench, and he began to talk about a possible departure from the club. Perhaps there is another phenomenally expensive transfer waiting for him.
7. Paul Pogba
Price: 105 million euros.
It's funny, but the seventh most expensive transfer in the world is a kind of return transfer.
Back in 2012, Manchester United allowed Paul to leave the team in order to buy him back four years later. Moreover, for a much larger amount and after Pogba became one of the best midfielders in Juventus.
True, in the new-old team, Paul had difficulties - he did not have a relationship with the head coach of the team, Jose Mourinho. But after the departure of the Portuguese, good times have come for Pogba again, and his game has improved markedly. The new coach, Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has not yet complained about Paul's inappropriate attitude.
6. Usmane Dembele
Price: 105 million euros.
Barcelona took a risk by buying Usman from Borussia Dortmund.True, in the very first season of the game for Germany, Usman showed excellent results, in fact becoming one of the leading players in the championship.
Alas, just a couple of months later, Dembele was injured, a tendon ruptured, and was forced to spend almost six months without a game. However, Barcelona do not think they have made a mistake, as Usman is showing better and better results as he recovers. And his game has a truly mesmerizing sight on the fans: it is difficult to convey in words the reaction of the stands to the sensational blow in Seville, as well as the feeling of speed and power that the football player exudes.
5. Antoine Griezmann
Price: 120 million euros.
In July 2019, one of the longest and most expensive transfers in football history ended, and Antoine finally moved from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona.
Rumors of a possible transfer began to circulate two years ago, but after several weeks of lively discussions of this exciting topic in the football press, Griezmann took and decided to renew his contract with Atlético.
However, in 2019, the price for its redemption fell to 120 million euros, and the amount, although still large, apparently ceased to be too heavy for the club.
4. Juan Felix Sequeira
Price: 126 million euros.
Almost all the largest European clubs hunted for the promising player in the face of the Portuguese who scored twenty goals in the 2018/2019 season. However, it went to Atletico Madrid, having passed into it from the Portuguese Benefica, who actually raised Juan (as a professional).
3. Philippe Coutinho
Price: 160 million euros.
In January 2018, Philippe moved from Liverpool to Barcelona in pursuit of progress, recognition and money. He seemed to get what he wanted, as his new team won the Spanish title twice in a row.
However, Coutinho could only watch helplessly as his former club tore Barcelona to pieces on their way to the Champions League final. It is clear that this fact added worries to the ambitious football player and it seems that the transfer was not as good for him as expected. It is unlikely when in the history of the most expensive transfers so much money did not entail so much disappointment.
It looks like this summer will be interesting for Barcelona and Coutinho. The club is going to cut costs (despite the fact that Philippe has not yet received all the additional payments), and the footballer has not yet decided what to do.
2. Kylian Mbappe
Price: 180 million euros.
Kylian Mbappe showed phenomenal performance at the 2018 World Cup. He became the second underage footballer after legendary Pele to score a goal in the World Cup. He became one of best goals in football history.
Not surprisingly, at the end of the World Cup in Russia, he was unanimously recognized as the best young player of this season. And among the French players, Kilian's record was absolute, since none of the French had done anything like this before him.
Of course, the expectations of the fans focused on Kilian, who became for them the new football messiah, a worthy replacement for the already aged Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Unsurprisingly, Paris Saint-Germain paid so much money for him, making Kilian the world's most expensive underage footballer.
However, Mbappe is not going to rest on his laurels, because Paris Saint-Germain has not yet managed to get out of the Champions League quarterfinals. Perhaps, for professional growth and new achievements Mbappe will have to look for another team. Rumor has it that he is already thinking about it.
1. Neymar
Price: 222 million euros.
Neymar's move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain was the most expensive transfer in football history. Why did it "become", he surpassed all previous transfers, like a dinosaur chicken, and left them far away to swallow dust.
And, of course, only a super-rich could pay so much money for one football player, albeit an Olympic champion (it's no secret that Paris Saint-Germain is the pride of the Qatari billionaire).
Was the transfer worth the money spent? Neymar performed well, and although Paris Saint-Germain lost to Real Madrid, he broke away in France, capturing all possible and impossible trophies and regaining the title of champion. Neymar was also expected to win the Ballon d'Or for PSG, an award given only to the best footballers of the year. However, it went to Luka Modric of Real Madrid. And if Neymar does not receive the coveted prize this year, it is likely that he may be shown the door.