Not all transfers made sense from a sporting point of view … picture: watson
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23 transfers that changed the football map forever
The transfer business has become an integral part of modern football. Hundreds of professionals change clubs every year for countless millions. Most of them are 0815 transactions – but some transfers have changed the football world forever.
Cruyff to Barcelona (1973)
In the 1960s and 1970s, one name stood for the great success of Ajax Amsterdam – that of Johan Cruyff. The Dutch football legend leads his club to the national championship title six times, three times in a row (1971 to 1973) to win the European Cup.
But in the summer of 1973, despite the great successes, there were inconsistencies: The “King Johan”, who was decried as arrogant, was voted out by his teammates as captain, while Spain opened the borders for foreign football professionals. Cruyff finally followed the call of his ex-coach Rinus Michels and switched to FC Barcelona for the record sum of 3.2 million francs at the time.
In Spain, too, the creative and tactically ingenious football visionary is making a full impact. In its very first season, “El Salvador” (“The Savior”) leads Barça to the first championship title in 14 years and thus also to the triumph over Real Madrid, which was supported by the centralist Franco regime and which previously dominated the league at will.
Barcelona Cruyff’s tactical football vision continues to be pursued today. picture: laliga
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Platini to Juventus (1982)
In spring 1982, Michel Platini, together with Diego Maradona and Zico, is considered the best number 10 in the world. This is not hidden from Juventus Turin, President Giampiero Boniperti absolutely wants the Frenchman, although with the Irishman Liam Brady a playmaker is already under contract. After short negotiations, Platini finally switches to the “old lady” for the equivalent of only 450,000 francs. Brady is deported to Sampdoria Genoa.
Platini’s start in Turin is initially bumpy. In the winter he wants to leave Juventus within the team because of a tamper with the Italian world champions from 1982, but Giovanni Trappatoni persuades him to stay. The Juve trainer then adapts his system to his ingenious duo Platini / Zbigniew Boniek, thus ensuring that the “Bianconeri” become one of the most successful teams in Europe.
Platini shaped an era at Juventus. Picture: EPA
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Maradona to Napoli (1984)
Crash with the president, mass brawl in the cup final, excessive nightlife – Diego Maradona is already out of favor with FC Barcelona in his second season, which is why the Catalans put him on the transfer list. The only interested party is SSC Napoli, who finally committed the Argentine in July 1984 for the record sum of CHF 22 million at that time.
75’000 spectators received Maradona at his performance in the San Paolo stadium and the new number 10 fulfilled the hopes that were put into him after a short period of time: In 1987 Maradona Napoli fired for the first championship title in club history, two years later for the triumph in the UEFA Cup and again in 1990 for the championship. Although his time in Italy ends tragically, Diego is still worshiped like a saint in Naples.
Maradona at his performance in Stadio San Paolo. Image: AP / HBO
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Gullit / Van Basten zu Milan (1987)
In 1980 AC Milan was forcibly relegated to illegal betting business. Despite the immediate resurgence, the «Rossoneri» subsequently experience difficult times. Only with the entry of entrepreneur Silvio Berlusconi in 1986 things went up again: coach Arrigo Sacchi was commissioned with the reconstruction of the team and after his first season he made two lucky moves.
In the summer of 1986 Sacchi brought Ruud Gullit (CHF 7 million) and Marco van Basten (CHF 2 million) from the Netherlands. The two fit perfectly with his offensive playing style with room coverage and pressing. Gullit pulls the strings in midfield, Van Basten is responsible for the goals. A year later, Frank Rijkaard, a scraper, completes the Dutch trio, which makes Milan the best team in the world. In 1989 and 1990, Sacchi’s Immortali won the European Champion Clubs’ Cup twice in a row. A feat that Real Madrid will only be able to do again in 2017.
Ruud Gullit was not only a brilliant playmaker, but also an ice-cold executioner. picture: ap
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Baggio to Juventus Turin (1990)
After Platini’s resignation, Juventus slipped into a sporting crisis in the mid-1980s. Even the 15 million franc world record transfer by Roberto Baggio does not bring the hoped-for turnaround, but the influx goes down in history. Because “Il divin codino” (“The Divine Braid”) is sold against his will.
Baggio is the favorite of Fiorentina fans in spring 1990. Thanks to their precise technicians, the fans of the «Viola» dream of a great future. But the club is worried about money, President Flavio Pontello sees only one solution: to sell Baggio to the hated rival from Turin. «I didn’t want to leave, they sold me against my will. My heart will always be purple, »Baggio explains later. The frustration among Fiorentina fans is huge: the people’s soul was boiling and there was even rioting in the city. 50 people are injured in the riots.
Roberto Baggio had to go to Juventus Turin. picture: tumblr
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Bosman’s Not Change (1995)
Because his wages were cut after a dispute with the club management, Jean-Marc Bosman wanted to switch from Belgian first division club RFC Liège to USL Dunkerque in the summer of 1990. At that time, it was common to demand a transfer fee from professional footballers even after the contract had expired, but Liège wanted too much with $ 800,000 so that a change would be shattered. Bosman subsequently sued his old club for damages and waived the demand for a transfer fee.
The case goes to the European Court of Justice, which finally pronounces the “Bosman ruling” in December 1995: transfer fees can only be claimed if the player has a current contract. The ruling has had an impact to this day. Previously, players with excessive transfer demands could be prevented from switching, now the transfer market is suddenly completely open. Footballers are free to choose which club they want to join after the contract ends.
As a side effect, the “Bosman ruling” determines that the regulations applicable in some countries, according to which only a limited number of foreigners may be deployed in a team, are invalid. The power of transfers is shifting extremely – from clubs to players and their advisors. Above all, transfer fees and player wages explode as a result.
Jean-Marc Bosman’s face turned to stone. Image: Reuters
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Denilson to Betis Sevilla (1998)
Before the 1998 World Cup, 20-year-old Denilson was the greatest promise in world football. In the iconic airport commercial of the Brazilian national team, the noble technician receives almost as much screen time as Ronaldo. At the World Cup Denilson only plays in the last, insignificant group game from the start, in the remaining six games he is substituted in. Nevertheless, the super talent switched from Sao Paulo to Betis Sevilla after the tournament for the world record sum of CHF 51 million.
The term of the contract for 10 (!) Years is also record-breaking. But after not even a season, it is already clear that the mega deal is a huge misunderstanding. The shy Denilson is unable to cope with the pressure of expectations and the tougher playing style in Spain. «I was brought in to do magic. And I will do that too, »he answers the criticism of his playing style. Although he can never really prevail, the Brazilian stays with Betis for five years. Then he made a name for himself as a bird of passage, which cannot meet the demands of seven other clubs.
Denilson was too much an artist for football Europe. Picture: AP EFE
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Henry to Arsenal (1999)
In the winter of 1999, Monaco talent Thierry Henry took the plunge abroad, but nobody at Juventus had been waiting for the 22-year-old striker. Under Carlo Ancelotti, the young Frenchman behind Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi is at most striker number 3 and at times has to play as a full-back. So he fled from Italy again after only eight months.
His compatriot Arsène Wenger brought him to Arsenal to replace Nicolas Anelka for 26 million francs. With the necessary trust and transfer from the outside track to the storm center, Henry soon blossomed, scoring at least 17 goals this season with the «Gunners». With the accurate striker, Arsenal won two championship titles, three FA Cups and made it to the Champions League final in 2006. After Henry’s departure to Barcelona in 2007, Wenger was able to keep his “Gunners” at the top of the Premier League despite the difficult financial situation due to the new stadium, but the huge successes did not materialize.
Two like bad luck and sulfur: Thierry Henry and Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger. Image: AP / AP
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Figo to Real Madrid (2000)
The announcement is grand: Florentino Perez is keen to become President of Real Madrid in 2000. In order to make himself popular with the fans, he announced: “If I become president, Luis Figo will become a Real Madrid player.” The 27-year-old Portuguese was the best footballer in Europe at the time – but of all things he plays for the great arch-rival FC Barcelona and is extremely popular with the Catalan fans.
Even before his election victory, Perez threads the deal, which is completely surprising for everyone. He offers Figo, who has an exit clause of 58 million euros in his contract, a bonus of two million euros for the signature alone. If Perez does not become president, the Portuguese may keep the money and stay in Barcelona. The future world footballer strikes.
Club legend Di Stefano is delighted with the Figo coup. Image: AP / AP
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Even during the European Championship and just before the election, Perez made the deal public, which brought Figo into a tricky situation. He publicly declares that there is no such agreement and that he wants to stay with Barcelona. A few days later, Perez is president and the world record transfer is quickly sealed.
Figo becomes the “First Avenger” of the later “Galacticos”. The new number 10 wins the championship title with Real and is also voted World Soccer Player of the Year 2010. So everything paletti? Not quite: The away games in Barcelona are torture for Figo. At Camp Nou, the “traitor” is met with pure hatred, which culminated in a legendary scandal in 2002. Figo wants to kick a corner in Barcelona in November, but is only covered with coins, lighters and plastic bottles. In the end, a cut pig’s head flies onto the square next to Figo.
Messi of Barcelona (2000)
Lionel Messi’s talent was unmistakable at just 13. The young Argentinian from Rosario is quick, tricky and hardly full of ball to separate. But Klein-Messi suffers from a growth disorder and has to undergo hormone treatment that costs around 1000 euros a month. Therefore, he is not signed by any Argentine professional club and so the parents finally turn to FC Barcelona.
There you don’t hesitate for long: Messi is the next Maradona, a consultant says to Technical Director Charly Rexach. The almost 1.40 meter tall boy will be flown in for a trial training session with the youngsters in September – Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Piqué were also part of the team at the time – and can immediately convince. “After only five minutes it was clear what a special boy that is,” Rexach later said in retrospect. But not everyone at Barça is convinced of “La Pulga” because of his physical weaknesses.
Messi’s father has had enough of Barça’s stumbling block at some point and threatens to turn to other clubs. Finally, Rexach acts independently and signs a letter of intent. The conditions that were negotiated in the weeks before are scribbled down on a napkin. Messi’s family will temporarily receive £ 40,000 a year for his son’s football services, and the right contract will be signed two months later.
The risk is worthwhile for Barcelona: Messi grows to around 1.68 meters, sometimes in great pain. The supposedly physical disadvantages make him special later: he is agile, super-fast and runs away from everyone even with the ball on his foot.
Messi’s napkin contract from the year 2000: «Barcelona, December 14th, 2000. In the presence of Messrs Minguella and Horacio (Gaggioli) Carles Rexach, Technical Secretary of FC Barcelona, is responsible for the player Lionel Messi, despite some different opinions to sign a contract if the agreed amounts are observed. » picture: fcbarcelona
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Zidane to Real Madrid (2001)
Exactly one year after the transfer of Luis Figo, Real Madrid finally started the age of the “Galactic” with the arrival of Zinedine Zidane. Real transfers the record amount of around 77 million euros (150 billion Italian lira) to Juventus Turin, who did not want to let the 29-year-old world and European champion go.
In the end, however, Real President Florentino Perez’s financial temptations and persuasiveness are too great. Already in winter, he meets the world’s best football player at a gala in Monte Carlo and slips a napkin to him. It reads: “Do you want to play for Real Madrid?” Zidane is handed a pen and he answers with a simple “yes”. Perez quickly nails with his head, because thanks to the sale of the club’s premises to the city, the war registers are filled to the brim.
Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano presents Zidane with the number 5 jersey when he is presented, and President Perez is also beaming. “This change is a milestone in my career,” the shy Zidane explains to over 200 journalists in French only and promises: “I will do everything possible to help the team.” Zidane keeps his word: In one of his first seasons he leads Real to winning the Champions League and a year later to the championship title.
The record transfer also opens up new opportunities for Juventus. The Turinese immediately reinvest the revenue and, with Gianluigi Buffon, Pavel Nedved and Lilian Thuram, bring in three players who will have a decisive impact on the old lady in the years that follow.
Zidane with Di Stefano (right) and President Perez. Picture: EPA
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Ronaldinho to Barcelona (2003)
At the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, another Brazilian stands out in addition to top scorer Ronaldo: Ronaldinho, just 22 years old. When the tricky Dribble King with the eye-catching tooth position is on the ball, there is only astonishment. In summer 2003, after completing his second European apprenticeship at the then French midfield club Paris St-Germain, he was ready for the first major transfer.
For a long time it looks like Manchester United is going to be the race for super talent. In fact, everything has already been sorted out with consultant brother Roberto Assis when United coach Sir Alex Ferguson flies to Paris to meet Ronaldinho personally. But instead of getting the deal under wraps quickly, Ferguson receives a rejection. The reason is an old promise: Ronaldinho had promised Sandro Rosell to move to Barcelona if he and Joan Laporta won the election for the Barça Presidium.
Ronaldinho later confirmed: “It was all about details with Manchester United when Rosell called and said they would win the election. And I had promised him that I would play for Barça. It was a quick negotiation and I told the English that I chose Barça. It was 48 hours. »
At Barcelona, the Brazilian, who is relatively cheap at 30 million euros, quickly becomes an absolute superstar. Ronaldinho became Spanish champion twice, he was named world footballer in 2004 and 2005, and in 2006 he led the “Blaugrana” to the Champions League title.
Ronaldinho during his presentation with the new Barça President Joan Laporta. Image: AP
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Beckham to Real Madrid (2003)
“Get a top star every year” – Florentino remains true to his motto for the third year as Real President. In the summer of 2003, the Royal League grab David Beckham for 35 million euros, who has to leave Manchester United against his will after 11 years. It is a quick transfer: United actually wants to transfer the “Spice Boy” to Barcelona, but when Beckham gets wind of it, he vetoed: “I spoke to my advisor and made it clear that if I left, then to Real Madrid. » It doesn’t take long and the four-year contract with an annual salary of six million euros is signed.
In terms of sport, the transfer makes little sense, because Real has no need for the free kick specialist in the attacking midfield. But Beckham is pure gold for business: The 28-year-old Brit has long been more of a pop icon than a footballer and is designed to help Real tap into the rich markets in Asia. The ruble rolls fast: all Beckham jerseys with the number 23 are sold out within 24 hours, even after that they remain a top seller for four years.
With the first pure commercial transfer in football history, Real slips into a small crisis. The balance in the team is no longer right because sacrifices have to be made for the arrival of the “galactic” team props such as Claude Makélélé or Fernando Morientes. It was only in his last year that Beckham crowned his time in Madrid with the championship and his only title with Real.
Because the number 7 at Real is occupied by Raul, Beckham chooses “Jordan’s number 23”. Picture: EPA PA
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Drogba to Chelsea (2004)
In the summer of 2003, the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea FC for £ 140m, making the club a “big player” in European football almost overnight. With Adrian Mutu, Claude Makélélé, Juan Sebastian Veron, Damien Duff and Hernan Crespo, five expensive reinforcements are brought in, but the king’s transfer does not follow until one year after the club was taken over. And Abramowitsch is not responsible for that, but the new coach José Mourinho.
For 38.5 million euros, “The Special One”, as Mourinho calls himself when he first introduced himself, brought the then 26-year-old Ivorian Didier Drogba from Olympique Marseille. «I still remember exactly how Abramovich asked me:‹ Who? Which striker do you want to get? ›» Mourinho says later. “In spite of all the great strikers that were running around Europe at the time, I said Drogba. <Who is this? Where does he play? ›Mr. Abramovich, pay and don't say anything.»
Drogba subsequently became an icon in the blues. He hits 104 times in 254 games and shoots Chelsea to three championship titles and the 2012 Champions League win.
Before joining Chelsea, Droba was an almost blank slate. picture: ap
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Robinho to ManCity (2008)
Similar to Chelsea, it happens four years later at Machester City. The former English lift club is taken over by an investment group from Abu Dhabi around Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and suddenly plays in the concert of the really big ones on the transfer market. First coup: Brazilian striker Robinho comes from Real Madrid for 43 million euros.
The designated successor to his fellow countrymen Ronaldo and Ronaldinho is to bring quick success to the Citizens together with other prominent newcomers such as Jô, Nigel de Jong, Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bridge. The Brazilian, however, can never really get a foothold in England: “Manchester is a fantastic place for football, but the city is a terrible place to live. The winter, the cold, the dark nights – that’s very tough for a young Brazilian, »explains Robinho.
So the first transfer experiment of the «Citizens» fails across the board, and Robinho leaves again after just one and a half years. However, the ManCity sheikhs remain true to their concept – and they quickly learn from their mistakes. The “Skyblues” are already celebrating the first championship title of the new era in 2012.
Robinho will never be happy at Manchester City. Image: AP
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Kaka to Real Madrid (2009)
Kaká has felt at home with AC Milan since 2003, with the “Rossoneri” the Brazilian won the “Scudetto” in 2004 and the Champions League in 2007. Even after six years in Milan, the attacking midfielder, who will become a world football player in 2007, has no intentions to switch, but AC Milan is in a serious financial crisis and urgently needs money.
In February, the Milanese had to reject an offer from Manchester City for Kaká in the amount of 100 million euros because their superstar did not want to switch to the island. Half a year later, a 65 million euro offer from Real Madrid flutters into the house. «Leave me alone. I chose AC Milan, »Kaká explains again and again. Seven days later, the change is still perfect. “I spoke to the board and together we came to the conclusion that it is best for everyone to sell me,” says the Brazilian.
At Real, Kaká is never happy, with coach José Mourinho he just can’t do it. «He was a difficult coach, we had a respectful but complicated relationship. I trained, I fought and I prayed a lot, but I realized that I couldn’t work with him. » Nevertheless, Kaká stays in Madrid for four years, and in 2013 he finally returns to Milan free of charge.
The smile is only fake: Kaká didn’t want to go to Real Madrid. Image: AP
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Cristiano Ronaldo on Real Madrid (2009)
Only three days after Kaká’s definitive move, Real Madrid announces an even more bombastic transfer. For the world record sum of 94 million euros, the Royal Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United sign. The long saga between Real and Ronaldo begins twelve months earlier: Advisor Jorge Mendes keeps spreading the rumor that Ronaldo absolutely wanted to switch to the royal. After the Champions League title in May 2008, CR7 made no secret of it: “I want to switch to Real Madrid.” It is his sick mother’s greatest wish, he affirms.
ManUnited’s attempts at permanent enticement soon go too far, an official complaint is filed against Real at FIFA and the mood between the clubs is deteriorating noticeably. In December, United coach Sir Alex Ferguson still hateful: “I would not even sell Real Madrid a virus.” Half a year later, the United lets go anyway. After signing a six-year contract, Ronaldo is presented with a lot of pomp in front of 80,000 spectators in Madrid, with the Portuguese surpassing the previous record of almost 75,000 fans who came to the stadium in 1984 for the presentation of Diego Maradona at Napoli.
Ronaldo is finally becoming an absolute superstar at Real. From then on, the legendary Clásico duels against FC Barcelona with Lionel Messi will cast a spell over the entire football world. CR7 has twice won the Real Spanish championship, four times he wins the Champions League and four times he becomes a world football player during this time. Ronaldo joins Juventus in 2018 – Real Madrid have not been the same club since then.
When Cristiano Ronaldo was introduced, the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was full to bursting. Image: AP
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Carroll to Liverpool (2011)
Huh, Andy Carroll’s move to Liverpool has changed the football world? Maybe not athletic, but from an international perspective. The 22-year-old striker switched from Newcastle United to Liverpool in January 2011 for 41 million euros – no English footballer has ever been this expensive. Carroll had scored 13 goals in 26 games for the Magpies the previous season, but 41 million for a not very talented Schlaks? Even then, many rub their eyes in amazement.
The background of the English record transfer is the latest TV contract for the Premier League, which has brought clubs significantly higher income since the start of the season. This attracts investors: Liverpool, which at the time was only one of the top management in England, joined the American Fenway Sports Group in October 2010. But not only the “Reds”, the English clubs beyond the “Big 6” suddenly have significantly more money available for transfers. This finally shifts the international transfer flows towards England and literally explodes the transfer fees of average players.
The move from Carroll to Liverpool in winter 2011 is the first step in this new development. The record man is not happy with the “Reds”. The designated successor for Fernando Torres, who moved to Chelsea, only met six times in 44 games for Liverpool and moved on to West Ham United in the summer of 2012.
Compared to Carroll, Luis Suarez was a bargain with a transfer fee of 26.5 million euros. Image: AP
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Lewandowski on Bayern Munich (2014)
At the beginning of the 2010s, Borussia Dortmund was on a par with the eternal League Croesus Bayern Munich. In 2011 and 2012 the BVB won the German championship, in 2013 the arch-rival in the Champions League final was only narrowly defeated. With just one transfer, the Bavarians reestablished their supremacy and have not given it up to this day: In the summer of 2014, Robert Lewandowski transferred from Dortmund to Munich free of charge.
It is a transfer with a long start: A year before, Bayern want to get the unerring striker, but BVB stands up and insists on the contract of the Polish striker. The black and yellow hope for a contract extension thanks to a hefty salary increase, but on 4 January – the date that is possible according to FIFA – Bayern announce that the Lewandowski transfer is perfect.
“Lewy” is also a big hit with Bayern and, thanks to its goals, is finally shifting the balance of power towards Bavaria, which had previously poached Mario Götz from BVB and also snatched Mats Hummels from Dortmudn in 2016.
Lewandowski poses with Bayern shirt in 2014. picture: ap
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Kroos to Real Madrid (2014)
In summer 2007, Toni Kroos was already considered “The Next Big Thing” in German football. The 17-year-old midfield strategist shines with perfect technology and lots of clarity. The competition at Bayern is tough and Rostock will be loaned to Bayer Leverkusen for one season in 2009. After his return, Kroos plays more often, but not enough for his demands.
After the 2014 World Cup, the new world champion asks for approval and to everyone’s surprise. The then coach Pep Guardiola, who suggested the Bayern bosses to give up the often injured club icon Bastian Schweinsteiger, is particularly shocked. But his wish is not fulfilled and Kroos moves to Real Madrid for only 25 million euros. “It was a very tough decision, maybe the wrong one, no question about it,” says former Bayern president Uli Hoeness later.
At Real, Kroos immediately takes care of what has been missing there for a long time: the necessary stability in midfield. The painfully missing, last piece of the puzzle directs the attacks and keeps his colleagues Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo free. Kroos wins the Champions League three times with the royal team, and in 2017 he is the only Spanish champion to date.
Kroos presents his real jersey somewhat shyly. Picture: EPA
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Hulk / Oscar to China (2016/2017)
It’s the year 2016: China’s largest football fan, President Xi Jinping, decides to turn his country into a football world power. A 50-point plan is drawn up for this, but it quickly becomes clear that China lacks the necessary skilled workers. Foreign experts are also brought in to learn abroad.
Because the level of local players still leaves something to be desired, foreign stars should lure fans into the stadiums and inspire the Chinese for football. Money doesn’t matter: in 2016 and 2017, the Chinese Super League clubs buy stars from Europe for almost a billion euros.
The most expensive at the time were the Brazilian international players Oscar (for 60 million euros from Chelsea) and Hulk (for 55.8 million euros from Zenit St.Petersburg). They leave the sporting challenges in Europe behind and follow the temptations of money. With some over 20 million euros a year they collect as much as in Europe at most Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The European leagues are already afraid of the total sale to China, and the hauntings will end again. In the summer of 2017, the Chinese Football Association stipulated that any club that spends more money on players than it earns must invest the same amount in promoting Chinese football. The almost blind betting comes to a quick end and the transfer expenditure of the Chinese clubs falls back to the level of before 2016.
Oscar loves to play in China – it’s hardly surprising with his annual salary. Image: AP / CHINATOPIX
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Neymar to Paris St-Germain (2017)
222 million euros! In the summer of 2017, Paris St-Germain paid the exit clause fixed on this insane amount to secure the services of Neymar. The Brazilian is by far the most expensive footballer in the world. Paul Pogba’s old record (€ 105 million) is twice as high. This causes great criticism: “Football is falling into excess. Unsere Epoche hat aus Fussballern Halbgötter gemacht. Braucht die Gesellschaft des Spektakels wirklich so viel Geld nur für die Unterhaltung der Menschen?», fragt «Le Figaro».
Mit Neymar, der in Paris endlich aus dem Schatten von Lionel Messi treten will, scheint PSG endlich den Mann gefunden zu haben, der den neureichen Scheichklub zur Erfüllung all seiner Träume ballern soll – zum Gewinn der Champions League. Doch auch mit dem neuen Rekordmann scheitern die Pariser Jahr für Jahr früh.
Bereits nach zwei Jahren hat Neymar genug von PSG und will zurück nach Barcelona wechseln. Es folgt eine wochenlange Seifenoper, an deren Ende der Brasilianer nur widerwillig das Veto seines Vereins akzeptiert. Doch bereits ist Staffel 2 in den Startlöchern. Im Sommer wird es wohl so weit sein – nur wenn PSG die wegen des Coronavirus-Ausbruchs ausgesetzte Champions-League-Kampagne endlich erfolgreich beschliessen sollte, besteht die Hoffnung, dass die Telenovela abgesetzt wird.
Da war Neymar noch glücklich, bei PSG zu sein. Bild: EPA/EPA
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Van Dijk zu Liverpool (2018)
Im Sommer 2015 wird Jürgen Klopp Trainer beim FC Liverpool. Behutsam baut der deutsche Erfolgscoach die «Reds» in der Folge zum Spitzenteam um. Mit Roberto Firmino (2015), Sadio Mané (2016) und Mohamed Salah (2017) stellt Klopp eine äussert schlagkräftige Offensive zusammen. Doch noch hat Liverpool ein Problem: Man kassiert zu viele Gegentore.
Deshalb holt Klopp im Winter 2018 den Holländer Virgil van Dijk vom Liga-Konkurrenten FC Southampton. Mit einer Ablösesumme von 84,65 Millionen Euro wird der 1,93 Meter grosse Innenverteidiger zum teuersten Abwehrspieler aller Zeiten. Doch jeder Cent lohnt sich: Dank Abwerhchef van Dijk (und dem im Sommer 2018 verpflichteten Torhüter Allison) können die «Reds» die Anzahl der Gegentore fast auf die Hälfte reduzieren.
Auch dank der neu gewonnenen defensiven Stabilität wird Liverpool zur besten Fussball-Mannschaft der Gegenwart. 2019 gewinnen die «Reds» die Champions League und in der Saison darauf marschieren sie schier unaufhaltsam in Richtung Meisterschaft. Nur der Ausbruch der Coronavirus-Pandemie verhindert im Frühling 2020 den ersten Meistertitel seit 1990 (vorerst).
Virgil van Dijk hat Liverpool die nötige defensive Stabilität gebracht. bild: liverpoolfc
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