Top 10 most expensive footballers of all time

#5 Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale was an integral part of the BBC trinity at Real Madrid

Following a dream season in which he was named the Premier League Player of the Year, Real Madrid wasted no time in shelling out €101 million to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013. He broke Cristiano Ronaldo's four-year-old record as the most expensive player in history back then.

Few would disagree with the fact that his debut season was probably his best one on a personal level, having netted 22 goals in 44 games. Since then, the Welshman's form has been fluctuating, given his battles with constant injuries.

But, they certainly haven't stopped him from filling his trophy cabinet to the brim. Bale has won the UEFA Champions League three times since moving to the capital, and can't be thankful enough. Also, he has won 7 other trophies including 1 La Liga, 1 Copa del Rey and the 2 FIFA Club World Cup titles at the Spanish capital.

He has made no secret of his desire to retire at Real Madrid, but it remains to be seen whether the hierarchy agrees on keeping him despite his recurring injury problems.