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Multi-million-dollar transfer windows, world-class goals, flawless tackling, and strictly professional relationships — football in 2021 is more frantic than ever. There is no time for someone to take a beat, to take the time out to create personal relationships with the fans who cheer for them day in and out. It is predominantly about cashing cheques and moving on.
Thankfully, some footballers did not and do not always relate professionalism to mechanical interactions. These players have been loved and will continue to be loved by their fans, in every aspect of life. These players have turned into icons and, today, we are going to celebrate some of them.
These five icons not only made their clubs proud the first time around but also decided to return and don the jersey they loved from the bottom of their heart once again. Without further ado, here are the
5 most iconic players who re-signed for their former clubs
Special mention: Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres
#5 Thierry Henry - Arsenal
No discussion of great forwards can be completed without paying an ode to the great Thierry Henry. The Frenchman was the definition of ruthlessness and artistry at one point, and Arsenal were lucky to see him don their jersey over two spells.
Henry was signed by Arsene Wenger in 1999 for around €13 million and served the club faithfully for eight seasons. Despite taking his time to start firing, Henry finished his first season with 26 goals. He bettered his tally in the 2002-03 season, registering a total of 32 goals and 23 assists across all competitions. Apart from helping Arsenal to the 2001-02 Premier League title, he was one of the driving forces behind the Invincibles - Arsenal’s unbeaten title winning campaign in the 2003-04 season.
Henry, who was the only player to win the FWA Footballer of the Year award three times, returned to the club in MLS’s off season in 2012, signing a two-month contract. He only made 7 appearances in all competitions and scored a couple of goals, but his strike against Leeds United in the FA Cup third round won a special place in Arsenal history.
Despite being as big of an icon as any other on our list, the short duration of Henry’s micro spell could not take him higher on our list.
#4 Wayne Rooney - Everton
Ask any Manchester United fan and they will wholeheartedly endorse Wayne Rooney as one of their all-time greats. The former England international was an icon at Manchester United, scoring 253 goals in 559 appearances across competitions at the club. He won 5 Premier League titles and the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League alongside other accolades.
After his spell with Manchester United came to a close in 2017, Rooney decided to go back to Everton — the club that made him. Despite signing a two-year deal, Rooney could only complete a single year at Goodison Park. He never managed to settle in under manager Sam Allardyce. He also had to play in a plethora of positions — including as a deep-lying playmaker — to justify his place in the team. After 40 appearances and 11 goals in his second stint, he signed for MLS side DC United.
#3 Kaka - AC Milan, São Paulo
Ricardo Kaka is one of the best footballers Brazil has ever produced, and no fan who has had the privilege of seeing him on the pitch would tell you otherwise. He had finesse, charm, poise and precision, and, on his day, he had the quality to break any defense single-handedly.
In 2007, Kaka won the Ballon d’Or during his fourth season with AC Milan, becoming the only player to beat both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the home stretch. He kept up his fine form in 2008, as well, which won him a move to Real Madrid in 2009. Injuries and tussles with coach Jose Mourinho reportedly made the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner’s life miserable. He eventually returned home to Milan as a free agent in 2013.
He spent a year at the club in his second stint, scoring 9 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions. After Milan failed to qualify for European competitions, Kaka signed for future MLS side Orlando City in 2014.
Notably, until Orlando City officially entered the MLS, Kaka was loaned out to his very first club - São Paulo. The temporary move saw him return to not just one, but two of his former clubs during the course of his career. He scored 3 goals in 24 appearances across competitions for the Brazilian side before eventually moving to Orlando in 2015.
#2 Diego Maradona - Boca Juniors
Words are not enough to describe the genius of Diego Maradona. He was an outright sensation with the ball at his feet and had the quality to score the most ridiculous of goals. He had the capability to turn any game on its head on his own, and Boca Juniors were more than happy to have their world champion back.
Granted, Maradona’s best days in club football came for Napoli, but he was still a capable performer for Boca Juniors. During his first spell, in 1981, he scored 28 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions. In his second spell, he spent three seasons at the club, scoring 7 goals in 31 appearances. The World Cup hero did not have the best of runs during his return, but his status as an icon certainly cannot come into question.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United
Man of the hour Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest icon to re-sign for a former club, and deservedly so. Manchester United signed Ronaldo from Sporting CP in 2003 for a reported fee of €14.27 million, which made him the most expensive teenager in English football history at the time.
Over the course of the next six years, he more than justified the amount the Red Devils paid for him. He went on to help Manchester United to three Premier League titles and the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League trophy, amongst other titles.
After bagging his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, becoming the most expensive player in the club's history. His insane goalscoring, explosive pace, and leadership helped Real Madrid to two La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues in 9 years. Ronaldo won four more Ballons d’Or during his time with Real Madrid. His spell with Juventus — between 2018 and 2021 — was not the best, but Ronaldo still managed to make his mark, scoring over 100 goals in the short time span.
Now confirmed to return to Old Trafford, Ronaldo will look to end his illustrious career in the best possible manner. Helping Manchester United to their first Premier League trophy in nine years will only further bolster his position as one of the greatest icons the world of football has ever seen.
