Top 5 legendary footballers who would have cost a fortune in current market conditions

These five legends would have almost certainly broken transfer records in today's transfer market
These five legends would have almost certainly broken transfer records in today's transfer market

#3 Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane in action for Read Madrid
Zinedine Zidane in action for Read Madrid

An exceptional player, an exemplary leader, and a record-breaking manager — Zinedine Zidane is one of the most famous sporting personalities the world has ever seen. During his playing days, he lined up in an attacking midfield position, making life miserable for opposition defenders.

Despite being a tall and well-built figure, Zidane floated over the pitch with unmatched finesse. His buttery-smooth touches, unimaginable vision, and technique left opponents in awe, giving him time to make a telling impact. Thanks to his exploits for his clubs — mainly Juventus and Real Madrid — and the France national team, he was dubbed the FIFA Player of the year in 1998, 2000, and 2003; and even won the Ballon d’Or in 1998.

His move from Juventus to Real Madrid, in 2001, was reported to be around €77.5 million — fixed exchange rate — which is quite an amount even by today’s standards. However, in today’s market, the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner and 2001-02 UEFA Champions League winner would have surely fetched over €150 million, and maybe a lot more, even excluding bonuses.


#2 Diego Maradona

Ruud Gullit of AC Milan and Diego Maradona of Napoli wait for the ball to be passed
Ruud Gullit of AC Milan and Diego Maradona of Napoli wait for the ball to be passed

Argentina captain and Paris Saint-Germain player Lionel Messi has been hailed as one of the best players in history, winning pretty much every single trophy in club football. Unfortunately, he is yet to emerge as the definitive best for Argentina — thanks to the great Diego Maradona.

Maradona, who made his professional debut 10 days shy of turning 16 for Argentinos Junior, did not stand on ceremony to make an impact. His career started with a famous nutmeg between Juan Domingo Cabrera’s legs and took him to great heights with Napoli and the Argentina national team.

The number 10 of Argentina was known for his dribbling, which was on full display at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, where he led his country to victory. He also is the holder of the FIFA “Goal of the Century,” which saw him complete a 60 yard dribble past five English defenders in the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal. Maradona was also a force to be reckoned with for Napoli, helping the team to two Serie A titles and one Italian Cup.

Maradona was the first player to break the world transfer record twice — once when he moved to Barcelona for £5 million in 1982, and then when he joined Napoli for £6.9 million in 1984. In today’s market, Maradona would have broken the record a few more times over and would have potentially given Neymar’s transfer record a run for its money.


#1 Pele

2014 FIFA World Cup - One Year To Go Event
2014 FIFA World Cup - One Year To Go Event

Brazil has produced some truly wonderful players over the years. Very few have been and will ever be as instrumental as Pele.

Dubbed as the “greatest” forward by FIFA, Pele made his Santos debut at 15 and was called up to the national team a year later. His explosive pace, clever movement, and knack for the spectacular made him an unstoppable force, both for club and country.

He spent 18 years at Santos, becoming their record goalscorer with 643 goals and helping them to two Copa Libertadores. Brazil, too, benefitted from his eye for goal, especially in the World Cup. Thanks to Pele’s exploits, Brazil won three FIFA World Cups — 1958, 1962, and 1970 — making Pele the only player to be crowned world champion of football for a record three times.

With a resume of such magnitude and a four-digit goal tally — 1279 goals in 1363 games — Pele would not have lacked suitors in the transfer market. And with any luck, he would have easily been the most expensive transfer in the history of the sport.

PREV 2 / 2

Quick Links

Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh