The most expensive footballer in history?

Imagine a player capable of dribbling past opponents, sending missiles with his left foot and thrilling the crowds. A talent so rare that a club is ready to pay an astronomical sum to secure his services.

This is the story of Enzo Fernandez, the young Argentinian prodigy, snatched from Benfica for a record amount of 120 million euros. A transfer that shakes the foundations of football and raises burning questions:

  • How high will player prices go?

  • Are these amazing contracts really justified?

  • What impact do they have on the future of football?

Let's dive into the fascinating world of transfers and explore the top 10 craziest contracts in history. From football legends to rising stars, discover the players who broke the scoreboards and changed the face of football business.

Top 10 craziest contracts in football history

1. Kylian Mbappé (France) – Forward

  • Club: Paris Saint-Germain

  • Year of signing: 2022

  • Total amount: 630 million euros (including 180 million euros signing bonus)

  • Highlights: A young prodigy of French football, Mbappé has already won a World Cup, a Nations League and several French championship titles. He is considered one of the best players in the world and his talent is priceless.

2. Neymar Jr. (Brazil) – Forward

  • Club: Paris Saint-Germain

  • Year signed: 2017

  • Total amount: 222 million euros

  • Highlights: A true world star, Neymar is known for his spectacular dribbling and his sumptuous goals. He notably won the Copa America with Brazil and the Champions League with FC Barcelona.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo ( Portugal ) – Forward

  • Club: Al Nassr

  • Year of signing: 2023

  • Total amount: 200 million euros

  • Highlights: Five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most complete and most awarded players in history. He has won numerous titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, including five Champions Leagues.

4. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Forward

  • Club: Al-Hilal

  • Year of signing: 2023

  • Total amount: 180 million euros

  • Highlights: Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi is considered by many to be the best player of all time. He marked the history of FC Barcelona by winning 35 titles, including 10 La Liga and 4 Champions Leagues.

5. Eden Hazard (Belgium) – Forward

  • Club: Real Madrid

  • Year signed: 2019

  • Total amount: 115 million euros

  • Highlights: Talented and creative player, Eden Hazard shone at Chelsea before joining Real Madrid. He has won two Premier League titles with the Blues and is hoping to lift major trophies with the White House.

6. Philippe Coutinho (Brazil) – Attacking midfielder

  • Club: Aston Villa

  • Year signed: 2018

  • Total amount: 135 million euros

  • Highlights: A skilled dribbler and excellent passer, Coutinho had a difficult start at FC Barcelona before rediscovering his talent at Aston Villa.

7. João Félix ( Portugal ) – Forward

  • Club: Atletico Madrid

  • Year signed: 2019

  • Total amount: 127.2 million euros

  • Highlights: Young Portuguese prodigy, João Félix is a talented and versatile player who has already established himself as one of the leaders of Atlético de Madrid.

8. Antoine Griezmann (France) – Forward

  • Club: Atletico Madrid

  • Year signed: 2019

  • Total amount: 120 million euros

  • Highlights: World champion with the French team, Antoine Griezmann is a complete and efficient striker who has scored numerous goals for Real Sociedad, Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona.

9. Jack Grealish (England) – Attacking midfielder

  • Club: Manchester City

  • Year signed: 2021

  • Total amount: 117.5 million euros

  • Highlights: Creative and dynamic player, Jack Grealish is a pure product of English training. He joined Manchester City to become one of the team's most important players.

10. Paul Pogba (France) – Midfielder

  • Club: Juventus

  • Year of signing: 2022

  • Total amount: 105 million euros

Highlights: World champion with the France team, Paul Pogba is a complete and powerful midfielder talent, known for his passes and long shots. He shone at Juventus and Manchester United, despite a more complicated period with the Red Devils.

Don't hesitate to enhance this article with photos of each player to put faces to these legendary names!

In the next section, we will decipher the workings of these expensive transfers. What are the factors that drive up the prices of players and what are the consequences of these incredible contracts on today's football? Go below to explore behind the scenes of the transfer window and its impact on football!

Analysis of big football contracts

Age, talent and marketing potential

Several factors influence the exorbitant prices of football contracts. Among the most important, we can cite:

  • Age: A young and promising player will have a higher price than an older player, even if the latter is more experienced.

  • Talent: Pure talent is an essential element in justifying a big contract. A player capable of making a difference on the pitch and winning titles will be invaluable.

  • Marketing potential: A charismatic and popular player can generate significant revenue for a club through sponsorships, image rights and jersey sales.

Impact on football

Expensive transfers have important consequences for football, some of which are positive and some of which are negative:

  • Financial balance of clubs: Large contracts can weaken the finances of clubs, especially if they are not accompanied by sporting results.

  • Wage inflation: Stars' eye-watering contracts tend to push salaries upwards, which can create tensions within clubs and inequalities between players.

  • League competitiveness: Richer clubs can attract the best players, which can distort the competitiveness of leagues and create a divide between richer and poorer clubs.

Future of transfers

The transfer market is constantly evolving and it is difficult to predict its future. However, we can observe some trends:

  • Market regulation: FIFA and international bodies are considering measures to regulate the transfer market and limit abuse.

  • Rise of non-European clubs: Chinese, Qatari and Saudi clubs are investing more and more in football and could become major players in the transfer market.

  • Importance of youth development: Clubs that manage to train and develop young talent will be better equipped to cope with the demands of the transfer market.

In conclusion, big football contracts are debated. They can have positive and negative effects on football. It is important to find a balance between the interests of clubs, players and supporters.

Feel free to share your opinion on this hot topic in the comments!

Looking through the ranking of the 10 most expensive contracts in the history of football, we are struck by the dazzling evolution of player prices.

Astronomical sums that raise questions:

  • Are these incredible contracts justified by the talent of the players and the impact they have on the field?

  • What are the long-term consequences of these transfers on the financial balance of clubs and the competitiveness of the championships?

  • Should we consider measures to regulate the transfer market and limit abuse?

The debate is open and it is important that supporters, players, managers and international bodies consider these crucial questions for the future of football.

And you what do you think ?

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of this article!

Your opinion counts and can help change the world of football.