By John Essien
Football transfers often come with a lot of excitement, but can also be devastating when the most unexpected happens.
Players often join rival teams or even choose the most unexpected destinations which leaves the world in shock.
Thus, as the summer transfer window remains active, this article will look at 5 most shocking transfers in football history.
#5 Fernando Torres (Liverpool To Chelsea)
Just when Liverpool was rising from the ashes, Torres handed the club’s management an official transfer request which came as a shock to everyone involved at the club. The Spaniard moved to Chelsea on a £50m transfer deal.
#4 Johan Cruyff (Ajax To Feyenoord)
Following Ajax refusal to renew his contract at the end of 1982/83 season, Cruyff who had become a legendary figure at the age of 37, made the decision to join their most hated rivals, Feyenoord. However, the Dutch icon went on to win a league and cup double for the club. But despite this Ajax opted to name their stadium in his honour after he died in 2016.
#3 Luis Figo (Barcelona To Real Madrid)
The Portuguese star did what many would think twice before doing – leaving Barcelona to join their direct rival Real Madrid of course came with its consequence. During an El Clásico match in 2002, Barcelona fans threw a severed pig’s head at Figo while he was taking a corner at Camp Nou. Figo left Barcelona for a then world record transfer.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid To Juventus)
This was a transfer that not one person believed could be possible as Juventus splashed out a club record €112m on the Portuguese legend.
Ronaldo was a Real Madrid icon, having scored 450 goals and won countless team and individual honours during nine years at the club. No one had envisaged the Portuguese leaving the luxury at Bernabeu to wander in Turin…more like the parable of the prodigal son.
While Ronaldo may have fallen short of his quest to guide Juventus to a Champions League trophy, he unsurprisingly scored goals galore in Turin. He left Juventus for a return to Manchester United in 2021.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona To PSG)
The news about Messi’s departure from Barcelona after 20 years of legendary service was almost impossible to accept.
The Argentine’s exit sent shockwaves around the world of football. Messi Lionel joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract in August 2021.
Messi made his debut for the club on 29 August, coming on as a substitute in the second half of a 2–0 away win over Reims in Ligue 1. He finished his debut season with 11 goals and 14 assists across all competitions.
