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Serie A boasts some of the finest talents in the world. Known to be one of the most tactical leagues around, several big names have been groomed in Italy. Serie A has possessed this tag for a while too - in the early 2000s, the Italian top-flight was home to the best players of the era.
Who are Serie A's most expensive exports?
While Serie A boasts several legendary clubs, most players' ambition is to play in the Premier League or for Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Understandably the top players are highly-valued by the selling clubs, and the purchasing clubs are forced to fork out exorbitant sums.
The most expensive sales from Serie A have been ranked in the following list, which could not have been more star-studded.
#5 Kaka (AC Milan to Real Madrid - €67 million)
Kaka is recognized as one of the most gifted players of the 21st century. Predominantly an attacking midfielder, he was a part of the Brazil side which won the 2002 World Cup. He moved to Serie A with AC Milan from Sao Paulo in 2003, and slotted into an attack consisting of players of the caliber of Andriy Shevchenko and Filippo Inzaghi.
Following 14 goals and seven assists in his debut season, Kaka was already a fan favorite at the San Siro. In the 2006-07 season, the Brazilian reached the pinnacle of football - winning the Champions League with AC Milan and subsequently the Ballon d'Or in 2007. His contribution to the Champions League campaign was sensational as he scored 10 times and picked up three assists in 13 appearances.
Kaka's career was progressing smoothly in Serie A - until Florentino Perez was elected as Real Madrid president. He promised a blockbuster signing, delivering on his promise by acquiring Kaka from AC Milan for €67 million in the summer of 2009. Kaka's debut season in 2009-10 was not his best, as he scored nine times and notched up 12 assists in 33 appearances.
The following season saw him struggle with injuries as he was restricted to just 20 appearances in all competitions. 2011-12 was probably his most successful in terms of appearances for Real Madrid, making 40. Along the way, he scored eight goals and assisted 16 more.
In total, Kaka has made 120 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 29 times and picking up 39 assists. However, ahead of the 2013-14 season, Kaka returned to AC Milan in Serie A on a free transfer.
Four years since his massive €67 million move, the exciting Brazilian returned to the team where he enjoyed most of his success. He announced his retirement in 2017 after spells with Sao Paulo as well as Orlando City FC.
#4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter to Barcelona - €69.5 million)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a famous name in the world of football. Known for his fiery and confident personality, the 39-year-old striker is widely remembered for his incredible 30 yard overhead kick for Sweden against England. He is also remembered as a player who has played for a number of top sides; banging in goals everywhere he went.
The Swede's first stint in Serie A came with Juventus in 2004 after joining the Old Lady from Dutch club Ajax. However, ahead of the 2006-07 Serie A season, Ibrahimovic joined Inter from Juventus. He scored 15 goals en route to the title.
Ibrahimovic followed this up with two more Serie A titles, making it three in three. In the 2008-09 season, he also picked up the top scorer award after scoring 25 goals in the league.
Joan Laporta, who was the president of Barcelona back then too, brought Ibrahimovic to Camp Nou in 2009 for a fee of €69.5 million. Samuel Eto'o went the other way, joining Inter. Ibrahimovic's debut season saw him score 21 times across all competitions, while also picking up 13 assists.
However, a strained relationship with manager Pep Guardiola saw Ibrahimovic back in Serie A for the 2010-11 season, this time with Inter's rivals AC Milan. Upon his return to Italy, the striker continued his winning streak as he won his first Scudetto with AC Milan, and his fourth in total. The following season saw him claim the Serie A top scorer award once again, scoring 28 goals.
Subsequent spells at PSG, Manchester United and LA Galaxy saw Ibrahimovic continue his fine goalscoring record. He returned to Serie A in 2020 once again with AC Milan.
At the age of 39, he's still crucial to the team, scoring 15 goals in Serie A in 2020-21. To this date, his transfer to Barcelona remains the 4th most expensive export from Serie A.
#3 Zinedine Zidane (Juventus to Real Madrid - €77.5 million)
Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest midfielders of all time, played in Serie A with Juventus before his move to Real Madrid. The Frenchman chose to move to Juventus from Bordeaux in 1996, as they were the European Champions at the time. Zidane helped Juventus win Serie A in his debut season, while also leading them to the Champions League final.
The 1997-98 season was also fruitful for Zidane as he won the Scudetto again. Juventus once again lost out in the Champions League, this time to Real Madrid in the final. However, despite the loss in the final, Zidane was awarded the Ballon d'Or, firmly establishing him as one of the best players of the era.
Ahead of the 2001-02 season, Real Madrid acquired Zidane for a then world-record transfer fee of €77.5 million. To this date, he remains one of the most expensive midfielders of all time without even taking inflation into consideration.
The move was worth it, however. In his first season at the club, he scored an extraordinary goal from distance in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen. Over the course of the season, he scored 12 times and picked up 15 assists. The 2002-03 season saw Real Madrid claim the Spanish league title too, which was another feather in Zidane's decorated cap.
Despite Zidane being sent off in the 2006 World Cup final, his career will be looked back upon as an incredible one. Since retirement, Zidane has enjoyed success as manager at Real Madrid.
#2 Paul Pogba (Juventus to Manchester United - €105 million)
Paul Pogba was a product of the Manchester United academy. However, he moved to Serie A with Juventus in 2012 in search of regular first-team action. The 28-year-old midfielder made an instant impact in Serie A; making 37 appearances in all competitions in his debut season.
Pogba's fine form continued as he made 51 appearances in the 2013-14 season, quickly establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A. In his four years at Juventus, Pogba won the Serie A title on every occasion. He also won Juventus' player of the year in 2015-16.
When his former club Manchester United came calling in the summer of 2016, he could not refuse the chance to return to Old Trafford. The Red Devils had to fork out €115 million to acquire Pogba's services, which made the deal the most expensive in history at the time. Ever since, the Frenchman has continued to dazzle supporters in England. The 28-year-old has also impressed on the international stage as he won the World Cup with France in 2018.
#1 Romelu Lukaku (Inter to Chelsea - €115 million)
Romelu Lukaku is another player who left the Premier League to join Serie A before making a sensational return. The Belgian striker joined Inter from Manchester United in 2019 as a replacement for the outgoing Mauro Icardi. Antonio Conte moulded Lukaku into a world-class striker as the 28-year-old led Inter to the Serie A title in 2020-21.
24 goals and 11 assists meant Lukaku was the player with the most contributions in Serie A in 2020-21. While everything seemed rosy at Inter following their first Scudetto win in a decade, financial issues saw Achraf Hakimi sold to PSG. Conte's exit followed, which tempted Lukaku to quit Serie A and head back to the Premier League with Chelsea.
Consider a player with the attributes of Romelu Lukaku, and there is no surprise over the massive €115 million fee. The exorbitant fee makes Lukaku the most expensive export in Serie A history, with Tuchel hoping he lives up to the price-tag.
