These trades laid a foundation for bigger and grander deals in the future.
A selected few shape the football landscape. Similar to orchestra conductors sculpting symphonies, coaches choreograph teams through strategic trades, and players, akin to performers, execute their directives. The pricey transfers of various football players in the 2000s have significantly impacted the game throughout its rich history. Without further ado, let's dive into this fascinating journey!
Real Madrid had long been interested in Cristiano Ronaldo, who eventually left Manchester United for the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2009 for a record-breaking amount. Following Florentino Perez's return, Madrid went on a massive summer spending binge, paying United €94 million to grab the Portuguese superstar. During his nine seasons with Los Blancos, Ronaldo scored an amazing 450 goals in 438 games, and he played a key role in the team's four Champions League championships during that period.
At a Monaco event, Florentino Perez handed Zinedine Zidane a serviette. "Do you want to come [to Real Madrid]?" was written on it. After writing "yes" in English, Zidane quickly made his way to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2001, setting a world record contract of €77.5 million that would last for another eight years. The following May, Zidane scored a fantastic game-winning goal for Los Blancos in the Champions League final.
Barcelona had recently won the treble in 2009, but with Real Madrid's massive summer spending binge and the return of Florentino Perez, they felt they needed to make a major addition. Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined Inter in a transaction that ultimately cost the Catalan team €69.5 million, which included €20 million for Samuel Eto'o's departure and €46 million for the Swedish striker. Ibra had a falling out with Pep Guardiola despite a bright beginning, and the following summer, he returned to Italy with AC Milan.
Outside of AC Milan's offices, hundreds of supporters demonstrated against Kaka's transfer to Real Madrid; nonetheless, in June 2009, the Brazilian signed a €67 million contract to play for Los Blancos. As part of that infamous massive spending spree that also saw the arrival of Xabi Alonso, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema at Santiago Bernabeu, Kaka suffered from physical issues while playing for Real Madrid and only sometimes displayed his finest play throughout his four seasons in Spain. In 2013, he went back to Milan.
Following the election of Florentino Perez as president of Real Madrid, Luis Figo was unable to withdraw from the pre-agreement he had signed with Perez. This allowed Los Blancos to pay the winger's €60 million release clause and bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu, in one of the most startling moves in football history. Legend has it that a pig's head was thrown at the Portuguese during a visit to Camp Nou with Los Blancos.
When Hernan Crespo moved from Parma to Lazio in the summer of 2000 for a transfer fee of €56.81 million, he momentarily held the title of most expensive footballer in the world. The Argentine striker moved to Rome as part of a player-plus-cash deal, while Matias Almeyda and Sergio Conceicao made the other transfers. Crespo won just one Supercoppa Italiana after scoring 48 goals in 73 appearances for Lazio over the course of two seasons. After which, he began his career with Inter in 2002.
These trades highlight the necessity for strategic engagement in club football. Possessing talent alone may not guarantee success; effective allocation of stars is crucial for a team's triumph.
