What a time to be alive. On February 9, 1979, the football fraternity was left in a state of shock when Nottingham Forest signed Trevor Francis for a million pounds. Before that move, no footballer ever reached the 7-figure mark as Francis became the first of many world record-breaking deals.
The eight-figure mark was first touched by Gianluigi Lentini when he was bought by Milan for £12 million from Torino in 1992. 25 years later, it seems as though it is not long before the nine-figure mark is touched by some of the best talents in the world currently.
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Indeed, as Kylian Mbappe readies himself for a potential £100 million move, it brings us to the question: how much would the best players of the last generation cost in this window? Which of them would have crossed the £100 million mark?
Here are five retired players who would have broken the £100 million barrier had they been active and at their peak in today’s market.
Honorary mention: David Beckham would have definitely broken the 100 million mark but mainly due to commercial reasons than footballing, hence his name is not added here.
#1 Ronaldo
The pattern is simple: the ones that score the most goals, attract the most money. Almost every forward worth their salt in today’s market gets sold for astronomical sums. And back in the day, there were very few forwards who were better than Ronaldo Nazario.
Actually, no, back in the day, there was none better than the Brazilian.
The legendary former Inter forward not only scored goals but also inspired a generation of amazing forwards with his mesmerising skills on the ball. Despite being unfortunate with injuries, he carved out a phenomenal career, winning almost every trophy there is to win and also the Ballon d’Or twice.
He ended his career with 352 goals in 518 games and, at his peak, would have definitely gone for well over £100 million barrier in today’s market.
#2 Ronaldinho
He might as well have gone for over £200 million, such was his charisma with the ball at his feet that he made even rival fans applaud him out of respect. The Brazilian wasn’t just a footballer, he was an entertainer, someone who made the fans smile, someone who played just for the love it—one of the very few of this era.
No matter what the situation was, he would keep smiling and keep entertaining people with his insane abilities. At his peak, he completely lifted a somewhat forgotten Barcelona from the shadows of mediocrity to the light of glory.
His end at the Catalan club might not have been beautiful, but he remains a favourite in the hearts of many. A peak Ronaldinho would have shattered all kinds of transfer records in today’s market that values an 18-year-old special talent with just seven months of competitive football experience at over £100 million.
#3 Raul
At his peak, he was the best striker in the world—bar none. While Ronaldo was still active during that time—and also played alongside Raul—major injuries to the Brazilian meant that the Spaniard took over the throne at one point.
Journalists and UEFA members might have adjudged Michael Owen as the Ballon d’Or winner in 2001, but Raul was equally—perhaps more—deserving of it than the Englishman. The former Real Madrid number seven won every trophy possible at club level but was unfortunate to see his peak not coincide with the golden generation of Spain.
With the heart of a forward and the brains of a midfielder, Raul’s best asset was his ability make plays by linking team-mates while also scoring on regular occasions. Such an elegant player, in today’s market, would have cost a lot, perhaps breaking the £100 million mark.
#4 Thierry Henry
This is only natural, isn’t it? The little kid that is being labelled as ‘more Henry than Henry himself was’ is being touted to be the first £100 million footballer despite being only 18 years old and despite having only half a season worth of competitive football under his belt, so how can the main man not be expected to cross the barrier?
Thierry Henry was the embodiment of the word “wizardry”. The Frenchman was a divine player who could do almost anything in the final third with the ball at his feet. He danced across from the left to confuse the life out of opposition defenders and inspired a lot of attackers to try the similar trades.
Had Barcelona signed him 10 years later than they actually did, they would have had break the £100 million mark for sure.
#5 Zinedine Zidane
French players are somewhat of a money magnet for the clubs they play in. The trend was set way back in the early 2000s by this very man: Zinedine Zidane. Right now, the most expensive player in the world is a French midfielder and the player most likely to break that record, Kylian Mbappe, is a Frenchie, too.
Zinedine Zidane is a legend, a poet that wrote poems with the ball at his feet. He could do things with a football that Mozart could do with a piano; he gave it pleasure, the kind every lover dreams of from their partner.
That was the ability of the French maestro. At one point in time, he held the record of the most expensive player in the world, something which he would still be had he been an active player in his peak.
£100 million? Nah, much more. Much, much more.
Is there anyone not mentioned here, but would have broken the margin according to you?! Use the comments section to let us know!
