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By Shenz Mohammad
Back in the early 2000s, the largest sum ever spent on a football transfer was a staggering 46 million Euros. Bagging Christian Vieri for Inter Milan. Fast-forward two decades, we're looking at Neymar's jaw-dropping 222 million Euro deal with PSG. But how on earth did we end up here?
This unprecedented money-fueled madness in football has given rise to a game dominated by riches, leaving the masses to watch in utter disbelief's as though Football has become a game of riches, Player prices have gone crazy since Vieri's deal. They've been doubling and quadrupling like there's no tomorrow, pushing them to an all-time high. Just look at that 16-year-old Brazilian prodigy Endrick, who was bought by Real Madrid for 60 million. Although he has got skills for days, dropping 60 million on a teenager feels like pouring money down a never-ending drain.
Madrid, in particular, seems to have a record-shattering addiction. In the summer of 2009, Kaka arrived from AC Milan, followed by the almighty Cristiano Ronaldo snatched from Man United, all in a matter of days, totalling around 150 million pounds! And they didn't stop there; they smashed records again four years later with Gareth Bale's 100 million Euro move.
The sleepless nights of football fans aren't solely due to Real Madrid's spending frenzy. The real concern lies with clubs like Manchester City, PSG, and more recently, Newcastle United, who all have one common factor - foreign investment groups pouring in oil riches from Dubai Sheikhs, Qatari Emirs, and the Saudi Arabian King. While City and Newcastle have shown some restraint (albeit with occasional splurges), PSG has been living large. In fact, they hold the top two spots for the most expensive transfers ever, having spent over 400 million euros combined.
As if that weren't enough, PSG casually secured Lionel Messi, who reportedly earns over 300 million euros in salary during his contract with the club. The scale of these expenditures is simply mind-boggling. Fans are rightly concerned about the implications of such financial practices on football's competitive balance and the long-term sustainability of these clubs. It's a phenomenon that challenges the traditional ethos of the sport, and supporters are left in disbelief at the astronomical figures involved.
However, there’s no denying that this money-crazed strategy has its perks. Look at PSG, practically farming the French League since 2011. Real Madrid and Manchester City are no slouches either, racking up league titles and European Cups like they're going out of style.
Side note; the latter just lifted three trophies the previous year, a feat reserved for the greatest of the greatest. Even the once-struggling Newcastle pulled a 180-degree turn and claimed a 3rd-place finish in the English Premier League after their takeover in 2021. Perhaps, money really does stalk
Indeed, while the financial extravagance in football transfers is awe-inspiring, there's an undeniable downside. Many of these mind-blowing transfers have turned out to be epic failures. Surprisingly, over half of the nine-digit deals made in the last decade haven't lived up to the immense hype surrounding them. This reality has left fans questioning the true worth of such exorbitant investments.
However, the game ‘Il Jogo Bonito’, holds a lot of surprises, from scandals like the European Super League debacle during the pandemic to those underdog years when the little guys give the giants a run for their money. But let's face it, the cash game's here to stay. With the way transfer records keep skyrocketing, we might hit 300 million euros by 2050.
So, while the big clubs keep getting richer, the question remains: Can we find a balance between the money mania, and the essence of the beautiful game? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure, football's more than just dollar signs; it's passion, heart, and that magical spark that keeps us all hooked. Let's hope that spirit never fades away amidst all this cash-fueled madness.
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