#2 Erik Lamela - River Plate to AS Roma
WHEN? – August 2011
WHAT HAPPENED? – As soon as Erik Lamela stepped into Argentine football, he had started earning comparisons to Lionel Messi. He had come up through the ranks of River Plate’s academy system and there was a lot of expectation around him as he made his debut for the senior team in June 2009.
In 2010/11, Lamela became a regular starter and immediately caught the eye, leading River to an overall sixth place finish. However, according to the league’s rules, which takes into account performances from the last three seasons, the giants were relegated.
Pundits, fans and players were all equally shocked by River Plate’s demise. It was followed by an exodus of players who went in search of top division football, most prominent among whom was Erik ‘the next Messi’ Lamela. As expected, there was a considerable demand for him and he went on to join Roma for a fee of €12 million in August 2011.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? – River Plate bounced back in style to return to the top division the very next season itself. In 2014, they won the Torneo Final, the Superfinal and the Copa Sudamericana.
After two seasons at Roma, Lamela was bought by Tottenham Hotspur in 2013.