In the world of football, transfer fees have skyrocketed in recent years, with clubs shelling out exorbitant amounts of money to secure the services of top players. However, it’s important to remember that this wasn’t always the case. Before the year 2010, the most expensive transfer in football history (adjusted for inflation) was Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid in 2009, which cost a staggering £141.5 million.
Ronaldo’s transfer marked a turning point in the football landscape, as clubs started to break the bank to acquire the best talent. The Portuguese superstar left Real Madrid in 2018 as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, having netted an incredible 450 goals in just 438 games. During his time at the Spanish giants, Ronaldo also won four Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League titles, and two domestic triumphs.
But Ronaldo’s transfer fee wasn’t the only one that would make headlines in the pre-2010 era. Let’s take a look at the top ten most expensive transfers (adjusted for inflation) before the turn of the decade.
In second place is Luis Figo, who moved from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000 for £120 million (£54 million in 2000). Figo’s time at Madrid was successful, as he won two La Liga titles, a Champions League trophy, and a Ballon d’Or. However, his return to the Camp Nou was marred by an ugly incident when a pig’s head was thrown at him from the crowd.
Next up is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose £63 million move from Inter Milan to Barcelona in 2009 was considered a major coup for the Catalan club. Ibrahimovic joined a star-studded Barcelona team led by Pep Guardiola and had a successful stint, winning multiple trophies.
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who moved from Parma to Juventus in 2001 for £50 million (£108 million adjusted for inflation), proved to be one of the best investments the Italian giants ever made. Buffon went on to make 685 appearances for Juventus, keeping an impressive 322 clean sheets.
Zinedine Zidane, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in history, made a move from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001 for £46.6 million (£101.3 million adjusted for inflation). Although his trophy haul at Madrid wasn’t as extensive as expected, Zidane played a crucial role in the star-studded “Galacticos” team.
Kaka, the Brazilian playmaker, joined Real Madrid from AC Milan in 2009 for £56 million (£99 million adjusted for inflation). While his time at Madrid didn’t live up to expectations, Kaka’s record transfer fee showcased his talent and made him a fan favorite.
Christian Vieri, an Italian striker, made a move from Lazio to Inter Milan in 1999 for a monumental fee of £41 million (£94.9 million adjusted for inflation). Vieri enjoyed prolific seasons in Spain and Italy, scoring 123 goals in 190 appearances for Inter Milan.
Andriy Shevchenko, known for his prolific scoring ability, joined Chelsea from AC Milan in 2006 for £39 million (£74 million adjusted for inflation). Although he struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his debut season, Shevchenko was a key player for Chelsea.
Gabriel Batistuta, affectionately known as “Batigol,” moved from Fiorentina to Roma in 2000 for £32 million (£72 million adjusted for inflation). Batistuta lived up to his billing, scoring nine goals in his first seven games and helping Roma win the title.
Lastly, Rio Ferdinand completed the top ten with his £30 million move from Leeds United to Manchester United in 2002 (£64.5 million adjusted for inflation). Ferdinand proved to be a wise investment for Manchester United, winning multiple Premier League titles and earning numerous accolades.
These ten transfers, adjusted for inflation, showcase the financial landscape of football before 2010. While transfer fees have reached astronomical heights in recent years, these deals represented groundbreaking moments in the sport’s history.
