World Record Transfer Fee: €222 Million
The title of the world’s most expensive player carries immense pressure and expectation. From Diego Maradona to Roberto Baggio, and Cristiano Ronaldo to Paul Pogba, many football legends have once held this illustrious record. Over the last fifty years, transfer fees have seen an exponential rise. Back in 1980, the record transfer fee was set at €3 million when Andy Gray moved from Aston Villa to Wolves. Fast forward to the year 2000, and Christian Vieri’s transfer from Lazio to Inter Milan for €46.5 million had become the benchmark. Today, that world-record fee has skyrocketed to nearly five times that amount, marking a new era in football transfers.
In 2017, Paris Saint-Germain shocked the football world by triggering Neymar’s staggering €222 million release clause while he was at Barcelona. This figure not only marked a doubling of the previous world-record fee—the €105 million transfer of Pogba from Juventus to Manchester United a year earlier—but has also remained unmatched ever since. This Thursday, Neymar officially surpassed French football icon Zinédine Zidane for the longest-standing world record transfer fee since 1980. Below, we will also highlight the top ten players who have held this title the longest.
Longest-Reigning World Record Transfer Holders
Neymar has held the title of the most expensive player in football for seven years, 11 months, and 28 days, breaking Zidane’s previous record of seven years, 11 months, and 27 days after his €77.8 million transfer from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001. Approaching the eight-year milestone, Neymar’s record seems poised to stand for years to come. Following Zidane in the rankings is Italian forward Gianluca Vialli, who was the world’s most expensive player for five years after his €20.6 million move to Juventus in 1992.
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo held the world record for four years, one month, and 26 days from 2009 to 2013 after his €94 million move from Manchester United to Real Madrid. The legendary Diego Maradona also held this distinction for four years between 1982 and 1986 following his €7.3 million transfer from Argentinos Juniors to Barcelona. Other notable players in the top ten include Gareth Bale (two years, 11 months, and eight days), Roberto Baggio (two years), and Ronaldo Nazário (one year and five days). Will Neymar’s record ever be surpassed?
