Top Ten: Football transfers that shocked the world

5) Luis Figo

The ‘Galacticos’ era at Real Madrid was kicked off by the most controversial purchase of all – Luis Figo signed from Barcelona.

For a player to make a name for himself at Barcelona, and become a fan favourite, and then make a move to Real Madrid was impossible, but Figo’s contract had a buy-out clause. Real Madrid, using their usual financial power, found the world record 37 million pounds, and added further fuel to the unending fire between Catalonia and Spain.

As expected, he wasn’t exactly welcomed when he returned in the white of Real to play at the Camp Nou. The noise levels, the mosaics, the banners made the atmosphere, the hardest moment that a sportsman has ever had to endure. But he will tell you, two league titles and a Champions League win proved him right.