Lionel Messi and the 4 Football Legends Who Never Came with a Transfer Price Tag
- In today’s football landscape, transfer fees have reached unprecedented levels, with valuations often seeming exorbitant and unrealistic
- Securing elite stars now requires substantial financial outlays, making it near-impossible to acquire talents without significant investment
- Despite the current market trends, some iconic players have moved for free. We highlight five top players who moved without a transfer fee
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Against a backdrop of skyrocketing transfer fees and inflated player valuations, it's astounding to discover that some of football’s most iconic legends never commanded a transfer fee.
When even average players are sold for staggering amounts, securing top talent on a free transfer is a truly rare and remarkable achievement.
Source: UGC
Yet, there exists a unique group of footballers who, by a combination of fortune, timing, or extraordinary skill, never had a price tag attached to their name.
These players' careers tell intriguing stories—whether fate, unique circumstances, or their unmatched abilities made them priceless assets to their teams.
With this in mind, Briefly News, through Planet Football, highlights five football icons who never had a transfer fee attached to their name.
The five players who never came with transfer fees
5. Steve McManaman
When he joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 1999, he became only the second Englishman to play for the club after Laurie Cunningham, These Football Times reports.
After nine years at Liverpool, he won the Champions League in his first season with Madrid, scoring in the final and endearing himself to the Spanish fans.
Reactions to the video:
Here are some of the responses to Steve McManaman's video.
@artychap8817:
"Underrated player, he was Liverpool's most gifted player in the mid-nineties."
@sawmdawnga494:
"Steve McManaman brilliant goal."
@DanielMartins-dq1cr:
"The best."
In 2003, Macca returned to England with Manchester City after his Madrid contract expired.
He played two seasons there before retiring, all at no cost to the clubs he joined.
4. Esteban Cambiasso
The standout midfielder never commanded a transfer fee throughout his illustrious career.
After starting at Real Madrid, he rejoined them after a stint in Argentina.
Reactions to the video:
Here are some of the responses to the video of Esteban Cambiasso.
@joseluizsilva9095:
"One of the most outstanding Argentine midfielders of this century."
@rdg4721:
"One of the best players of Inter 2010."
@gavendean3565:
"One of the best footballers of this century of Inter Milan."
In 2004, he moved to Inter Milan for free, spending a decade there and making over 400 appearances.
In 2014, Cambiasso signed a one-year deal with Leicester City after leaving Inter, helping them avoid relegation.
He declined an extension and ended his career with Olympiacos, missing Leicester's historic Premier League title.
3. George Best
Despite his talent and numerous club moves, football’s original superstar spent 11 peak years with Manchester United, winning it all before leaving in 1974 as the club faced relegation.
After United, he joined South Africa's Jewish Guild, marking the start of many brief stints.
As noted by The Guardian, Best's post-United career saw him play in the UK, Ireland, and the U.S., including spells with Stockport County, Cork City, Fulham, and several American teams.
His later years were marked by short-lived transfers, with most stints lasting just a season, before retiring in the mid-1980s.
2. Raul Gonzalez
Raúl González, a Madrid native and a Los Blancos academy product, is the epitome of a club legend.
Debuting in 1994, he spent 16 years with the club, winning six La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues.
With 323 goals, he ranks third on Real's all-time scoring list, as noted by Transfermarkt.
Reactions to the video:
Here are some of the responses to the video of Raul Gonzalez.
@henrikbarzi:
"Back in the days when strikers had good foot works to meander through defences with guile."
@Hope.865:
"Greatest finisher in football."
@cancaliskanc:
"Pure quality finishing."
2010 Schalke signed Raúl on a free transfer after his Real Madrid contract expired.
He later played for Al-Sadd in Qatar and New York Cosmos in the U.S., all on free transfers.
Raúl's career is a testament to his legendary status, achieved without ever commanding a transfer fee.
1. Lionel Messi
Messi's move from Newell’s Old Boys to Barcelona at 13 was famously agreed upon with a handwritten note, per NPR.
Over two decades at Barcelona, he became widely regarded as the greatest player ever.
Despite fans’ wishes for him to retire at Barca, financial issues in 2021 led to his contract expiring and him becoming a free agent.
Reactions to the video:
Here are some of the responses to the video of Lionel Messi
.@slimstubbs:
"Greatest football player of all time, and it really isn't even close."
@isaacknecht974:
"We will all miss Messi my childhood icon and inspiration."
@lucasdanielsson2745:
"Balance, vision, dribbling, speed, finishing, passing. The best ever."
His high wages limited European options, so he joined Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons.
The 2022 World Cup winner made headlines by signing with Inter Miami on a free transfer.
Why Pep Guardiola refused to sign Messi in 2020
Briefly News also reported that Lionel Messi, the legendary playmaker from FC Barcelona, was rumoured to have wanted a move to the English Premier League four years ago.
The Argentine star reportedly had his sights set on reuniting with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. However, Guardiola had a specific reason for not signing Messi in 2020.
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