5 Sensational Transfers That Rocked Football

As Europe’s top clubs scour the market for deals in the January transfer window, Bleacher Report’s world football editor takes a look at five sensational deals that rocked the football world.

No. 5

We start with David Beckham’s big-money move to Real Madrid in 2003, which was the culmination of his fallout with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and took Beckham’s already soaring star into the stratosphere.

No. 4

Next up is the deal that took Roberto Baggio from Fiorentina to Juventus in 1993, prompting street riots in which 50 fans were injured.

No. 3

At No. 3 is Sol Campbell’s move across north London from Tottenham to Arsenal.  The former England defender went from a Spurs’ hero to the subject of bitter hatred in a matter of hours. 

He will forever feature highly on lists of football’s biggest traitors.

No. 2

At No. 2 is the world-record deal that saw Portuguese star Luis Figo cross the El Clasico divide to join Real Madrid from Barcelona. 

To say Barca fans didn’t embrace it would be the understatement of the century.  Figo will never want to see a pig’s head again.

No. 1

Top of the list is arguably the most controversial transfer in history—that which saw Alfredo Di Stefano leave Argentina to join Real Madrid in 1953. 

Barcelona thought they’d signed him, but ultimately Madrid got their man and basked in his genius during a decade of success that followed.

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