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Spanish football was arguably at its peak during a major part of the last decade, with several La Liga teams dominating in Europe. The big teams possessed some of the biggest stars in world football as the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid was an absolute treat to watch.
This can be proven by the fact that six of the last 11 Champions League titles have been won by the Spanish teams. Meanwhile, seven Europa League titles during that time have also been won by La Liga sides.
But the last two to three years have seen La Liga teams struggle in Europe as several high-profile stars have left their clubs to shine elsewhere.
Some of La Liga's biggest stars departed this summer
This season has been no different as some of the biggest stars in La Liga over the last decade or so have departed their clubs this summer. Along with that, several talented youngsters have also left their respective teams for the riches of the Premier League.
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Here we look at five of the biggest outgoing transfers from La Liga during the 2021 summer transfer window.
#5 Marc Cucurella (Getafe to Brighton) - €18 million
The exodus of talented Spanish youngsters from La Liga to the Premier League has increased in recent years. That trend continued this summer with another talented Spanish full-back, Marc Cucurella, joining Brighton on deadline day in the summer for a fee of around €18 million.
Product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Cucurella left the Catalan giants in the summer of 2019 to join Getafe on loan before making a permanent switch the following season.
Capable of playing as a left wing-back or a left midfielder, the Spaniard immediately became an integral part of the La Liga side. He managed to make 86 appearances in just two seasons at the club while registering four goals and assists during that time.
His defensive skills along with his passing were exemplary, with the 23-year-old making 84 key passes from open play over the last two seasons. It was the sixth-best in La Liga during that time.
Cucurella has been a regular for Brighton since joining the club and has been a key part of the Seagulls' incredible start to the 2021-22 campaign.
#4 Martin Odegaard (Real Madrid to Arsenal) - €35 million
Another talented youngster to leave La Liga for the riches of the Premier League was Martin Odegaard, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid for around €35 million.
Much was expected from Odegaard after his arrival at Real Madrid but the midfielder failed to showcase his potential and was forced to go out on loan spells.
Odegaard became the youngest ever player to make his debut for Real Madrid (16 years and 152 days) after coming on as a substitute in a La Liga game in 2015.
But since then the Norwegian has managed to make just 11 appearances for the La Liga giants. During that time, Odegaard had loan spells at Heerenveen, Vitesse, Real Sociedad and Arsenal but he never managed to get a look in after coming back from each spell.
The 22-year-old joined Arsenal on loan in the second half of last season and was impressive, making 20 appearances across all competitions registering two goals and as many assists.
As such, Mikel Arteta was keen to sign him permanently. But the midfielder returned to Real Madrid in the hope that he would be given a chance by Carlo Ancelotti. However, Odegaard failed to impress the Italian and was eventually sold to Arsenal during the summer.
Odegaard has so far shown flashes of his brilliance during the 2021-22 season, but only time will tell whether the midfielder can justify his price-tag at the Emirates.
#3 Raphael Varane (Real Madrid to Manchester United) - €40 million
One of the biggest outgoings in La Liga this summer was the exit of Raphael Varane, who joined Manchester United from Real Madrid for €40 million.
The French centre-back joined the La Liga giants in 2011 and has since become an integral part of the Los Blancos defense alongside Sergio Ramos. He made 360 appearances over a decade-long spell at the club, winning several major trophies including three La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.
With the 28-year-old seemingly interested in taking up a new challenge, he decided to leave La Liga and join the Red Devils in the Premier League.
Varane has been touted as the perfect partner for Harry Maguire, with his pace and intelligent positioning proving to be a big help for the Englishman. The defender has had a decent start at Old Trafford so far although he has been out with injury since the return from the international break. Unfortunately for Manchester United, his unavailability has coincided with a poor run of form.
#2 Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid to PSG) - Free
The third Real Madrid player on this list and arguably the biggest of the lot, Sergio Ramos' departure came as a surprise to everyone. The Spaniard decided to leave Real Madrid after contract disputes with club president Florentino Perez.
One of the greatest centre-backs in La Liga and football history, Ramos joined Real Madrid in 2005 and immediately became the backbone of the Los Blancos defense. The defender made a total of 671 appearances for the La Liga giants, winning five La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
He also scored a massive 101 goals and registered 49 assists during that time, which included several crucial goals. His late equalizer in the Champions League final against rivals Atletico Madrid, which helped Los Blancos win La Decima, will forever be etched in the memory of the supporters.
There were rumors that Ramos would stay in La Liga and return to former club Sevilla. Instead, it was PSG who managed to pursue him to join them in Ligue 1 this summer.
Ramos is yet to make his debut for PSG this season due to a calf-injury that he picked up at the back end of May last season.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona to PSG) - Free
If Ramos' departure in the summer was a dent in La Liga's global appeal, Lionel Messi's exit came as a massive blow for both Barcelona and the Spanish top-flight.
After Messi's Copa America triumph with Argentina, it was widely expected that the six-time Ballon d'Or would renew his contract with Barcelona. But the Catalans' dire financial conditions along with La Liga's wage cap meant they could not renew Messi's contract, despite the forward agreeing to take a 50 per cent wage-cut.
As such, PSG swooped in and signed the 34-year-old on a free transfer, linking him up with the likes of Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.
Messi had spent nearly 21 years with the Catalan side and 17 years playing for Barcelona's senior-team. He made 779 appearances during that time, registering a staggering 672 goals and 301 assists in the process.
He won 35 trophies during his time with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, while also finishing as La Liga's top scorer on eight occasions. His six Ballon d'Ors during that time is a perfect testament to his abilities.
Messi is yet to open his account in Ligue 1 for PSG, although he has managed to score three crucial goals in the Champions League for the Parisians.
