#9. Luis Figo ; FC Barcelona to Real Madrid; €60m
In the summer of 2000, newly elected President of Real Madrid Fiorentino Perez launched the famed Galacticos era at the Santiago Bernabeu by signing Portuguese sensation Luis Figo from sworn enemies Barcelona for a fee reported to be €60 million in a six-year deal.
The deal not only broke the record in terms of the highest transfer fees ever for a player but also shattered Catalan hearts and was seen as a betrayal of the highest order. The signing was one of the most controversial ever in Barcelona’s history. The deal had taken place without any player at Camp Nou really knowing about it and was met with surprise and anger from Barcelona fans.
On the other hand, it was one of the greatest achievements for Real Madrid in a transfer window ever. Not only had Perez managed to sign one of the best players in the world, but he did so from their bitter enemies, Barcelona. Figo had been the best player at Camp Nou and a potential Ballon d'Or winner which would take place in November that year. Therefore, when he returned to Barcelona in October in the white of Real Madrid, the atmosphere inside Camp Nou was toxic. He was jeered and taunted throughout the match with Barca fans even screaming “Die Figo!”
The deal, which then, was the costliest ever was seen as establishing Real’s monetary superiority over their rivals and also marked the beginning of the famed Galacticos era. Figo went on to win the La Liga in his debut season with Los Blancos winning the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year that season. The Portuguese also won the Champions League a year later and added another Primera Division crown in 2003 before joining Inter Milan in 2005.
