For days now, football fans and professionals have been closely watching the news of Lionel Messi's decision to discontinue playing for FC Barcelona, wondering if there is any deal that can get the 34-year old player to stay in the club he has played for throughout his professional career.
This is the word of Leo #Messi: pic.twitter.com/k0btQ7k1py
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 8, 2021
According to FC Barcelona statements, the decision to let go of the Argentine star is connected to La Liga's 2013 rule in terms of players' wages not exceeding 70% of the club's revenues, which meant a whopping decrease in Messi's and other players salaries for the season following the COVID19 pandemic.
The disappointment sweeping through Messi's fans across the world knowing that the damaging financial impact of the pandemic on the football industry is the reason their favorite player will no longer play for FC Barcelona has triggered questions over the expenses of football stars in today's world.
In this article, we will explore the most expensive football players in 2021, and the clubs they play for.
1. Neymar
In 2017, the 29-year old Brazilian player left FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for $260 million, in what continues to be the world's biggest football acquisition.
2. Kylian Mbappe
The 22-year old French footballer also joined Paris Saint-Germain coming from AS Monaco for more than $211 million.
3. Joao Felix
Leaving Benfica in his home country of Portugal to Spain's Atletico Madrid, Felix's contract approached $148 million.
4. Philippe Coutinho
The Brazillian midfielder left Liverpool in 2018 headed to FC Barcelona for a total of $145 million.
5. Antoine Griezmann
A year after being crowned as a 2018 world champion along with the French national team, Griezmann joined FC Barcelona coming from Atletico Madrid for more than $141 million.
6. Jack Grealish
In one of the most recent transfers in the football world, the English winger left Aston Villa to Manchester City for about $137 million.
DONE DEAL
— Soccerzela (@soccerzela) August 5, 2021
Manchester City have announced the signing of Jack Grealish on a six-year deal.
The reported fee of 100 million pounds makes Grealish the most expensive player in British football history. pic.twitter.com/8bWCtMoBG5
7. Ousmane Dembele
In 2017, the French footballer left German-based Borussia Dortmund to FC Barcelona for about $123 million.
8. Paul Pogba
In 2016, the French midfielder left Juventus to play for Manchester United for about $123 million.
9. Gareth Bale
The Welsh winger left Tottenham in 2013 to play for Real Madrid in exchange for a little more than $118 million.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo
Finally, Messi's rival's transfer from Real Madrid to Juventus in 2018 cost about $117 million.
