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Playing for a top European club is every footballer’s dream. The continent houses the best teams, has the most engaging rivalries, and offers the most prestigious trophies. However, sustaining at the top level, especially when on the wrong side of 30, is easier said than done.
The rise of other football leagues, such as Major League Soccer (MLS), J1 League, Chinese Super League, and Qatar Stars League, has given footballers an alternative. Stars who are after a bigger paycheque or simply want to take it easy can now move out of Europe and extend their careers. Up-and-coming football nations are selling more tickets thanks to the established names, and the players get to rest on their laurels a little.
Today, we will take a look at five established footballers who left their European lives to play in other, not-so-established football leagues. Here are five of the biggest stars who are not playing for a European club right now:
#5 Xherdan Shaqiri – Chicago Fire
Former Liverpool man Xherdan Shaqiri has had an illustrious football career. Having risen through FC Basel’s academy, Shaqiri joined Bayern Munich for an €11.8million fee in 2012. He climbed his way up the pecking order and represented the Bavarians in the biggest games.
The Switzerland international won the treble – Champions League, Bundesliga, DFB Pokal – in his debut season, etching his name in Bayern folklore.
After a brief spell at Inter Milan, the Swiss star made his way into the Premier League through Stoke City in 2015. Shaqiri’s darting runs, stamina, and cleverness in front of goal helped him become the team’s undisputed frontman.
Impressed with his spell with Stoke, Liverpool snapped him up in 2018 and made him an important member of the squad. Over the next three seasons, he won the Champions League and the Premier League amongst other honors with the Reds.
Shaqiri joined Lyon ahead of the 2021-22 campaign but couldn’t settle down in France. He joined Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire in the second week of February for a €7million fee, ahead of their 2022 campaign.
#4 Gonzalo Higuain – Inter Miami
Former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain is currently an esteemed member of Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Having plied his trade at some of the most prestigious clubs in Europe, the Argentine has bagged a whopping 14 trophies in his career.
Los Blancos were Higuain’s first European club, and the Argentine made the most of his spell in the Spanish capital. In six years at the Bernabeu, he scored 121 goals, helping the club to three La Liga titles.
His spell at Napoli wasn't as fruitful in terms of trophies, but his return of 91 goals in 146 appearances was praiseworthy.
He also featured heavily for Napoli’s rivals Juventus. Higuain scored 66 goals in 149 appearances for the Bianconeri and helped them bag three Serie A titles. After a couple of brief spells at Milan and Chelsea, he signed for Inter Miami in 2020, and has since been with the MLS outfit.
#3 Oscar – Shanghai Port
Former Chelsea man Oscar controversially signed for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port in the winter transfer window of the 2017-18 season. Unlike most footballers who joined a lower-ranked non-European club after reaching or nearing 30, Oscar moved to China when he was only 25.
The Brazilian performed impressively at Chelsea. His pace, ability to carry the ball, and deft touch in front of goal mesmerized the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Everyone at the club expected him to have a noteworthy spell in England, but Shanghai’s offer was too lucrative for the player. The Chinese Super League outfit paid €60 million in transfer fees to lure the Brazilian.
As per reports, Oscar makes around €450,000 per week in China, making him the highest-paid player in the league.
The 30-year-old, who has scored 50 goals and set up 93 more in 170 appearances in all competitions for Shanghai Port, has helped the club to one Chinese Super League title and a Chinese FA Super Cup.
#2 James Rodriguez – Al-Rayyan SC
Like Oscar, James Rodriguez also shocked millions of his fans around the globe when he decided to sign for Qatari side Al-Rayyan SC in September last year. The Colombia international, best known for his brilliant volley against Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup, is the Qatar Stars League’s most recognizable face.
Following an impressive spell at Porto, Rodriguez signed for Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in 2013. His form in the French top-flight was impressive, but it was his blinding World Cup spell that compelled Real Madrid to sign him.
The €75 million man produced some fine performances in the 2014-15 season, registering 13 goals and 13 assists in 29 La Liga appearances. However, after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure at the end of the season, his importance started to wane.
Zinedine Zidane preferred Isco ahead of the Colombian, which drastically reduced Rodriguez’s game time. An unimpressive loan spell followed at Bayern Munich before he joined Everton as a free agent.
After falling out of favor at the Premier League club, the 30-year-old joined Al-Rayyan.
#1 Andres Iniesta – Vissel Kobe
One of the best midfielders in the history of the game, Andres Iniesta was a one-man club for the entirety of his European career. Rising through the ranks of La Masia, Iniesta established himself as an integral part of Barcelona under the great Pep Guardiola.
Over the course of his Barca career, Iniesta produced numerous match-winning performances, helping them to nine La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies amongst other honors. The midfielder was just as prolific for his country, Spain.
Not only did his midfield mastery help Spain to two European titles, but he also scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands.
Having achieved it all with club and country, Iniesta joined J1 League side Vissel Kobe at the end of the 2017-18 season. He has made 86 league appearances for the Japanese outfit so far, registering 19 goals and as many assists.
