Every football transfer market does have its intrigues including both high and low points. The 2021 transfer market was one that made history in all ramifications like never seen before.
It was a transfer market that football fans all over the world would savour for years to come. Hoping that they live to see such a repeat again.
Unarguably, the two greatest footballers of all time took turn to move to different clubs in different countries. WIth Messi swapping La Liga for Ligue 1 in France and Ronaldo went back home to Manchester United.
Lionel Messi’s Shocking Move To PSG
Argentine star, Lionel Andres Messi was the first to cause a shock when he moved to French giants, Paris St. Germain. The footballing world was thrown into a frenzy, when the Argentina captain and Barcelona forward, made a surprising and emotional departure from Barcelona. After spending an amazing 21 years at the club.
Messi is considered by many as the best player in the world. Whilst some would argue that he his the greatest player of all time. Many did not expect Messi to leave Barcelona as most thought he would end his career as a one-club man.
The Argentine legend who has won so many individual honours and team titles as set an incredible record in football. Having won a club-record 35 trophies including; 10 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League trophies, 7 Copa Del Rey titles, 6 Ballon d’or awards. And a record 6 European golden shoes – surprised all by that singular move.
The highly talented playmaker also holds the records for most goals in La Liga, after hitting the net 474 times. While at the Spanish club, Messi had the most hat-tricks in La Liga. He also has the most assists. He remains the only player with the most goals ever scored by a player for a single club, having netted over 750 senior career goals for club and country.
Beyond a doubt, Messi has lived to redefine the beauty and art of football over the last decade and more. With his excellent skills, deft touches, scintillating dribbling skills, goals scoring records. And a lot of achievements by winning several trophies in football history.
However, the football legend finally dropped his iconic Barca shirt for the Ligue 1 club. Where he signed a two-year deal with an option for a third, worth £25m per year after tax.
Ronaldo’s Sensational Return To The Red Devils
Before Cristiano Ronaldo moved back to Manchester United. There were rumours that he was on his way back to Premier League rivals, Manchester City. With his super agent, Jorge Mendes, flying into England to hold talks with the City hierarchy.
Everything was on the cards for a sensational move to City. Who just missed out on signing England striker, Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur. But in a surprising turn of events. Ronaldo made a sharp U-turn and in a matter of hours, the Red Devils were in the conversation as rumours that he would swap Juventus for Old Trafford.
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Whatever or whoever convinced Ronaldo to return to Man U must have had the touch of legend. As he ended his three-year stint in Turin, and returned to his beloved Manchester United, a club where he had his breakthrough. And he has continued to credit former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson for his decision to go back.
With that said, the return of Ronaldo to Man U was one shocking move the 2021 transfer market bestowed on football fans, especially Nigerian Man U fans who are all eager to see their favourite son back in their fold.
Shortly after signing the dotted lines. Ronaldo took to his Instagram page to give his official goodbyes to Juventus and their fans.
“Today, I depart from an amazing club. The biggest in Italy and surely one of the biggest in all of Europe. I gave my heart and soul for Juventus and I’ll always love the city of Turin until my final days.
The ‘tiffosi bianconeri’ always respected me. I tried to thank that respect by fighting for them in every game, every season, every competition. In the end, we can all look back and realize that we achieved great things. Not all that we wanted, but still, we wrote a pretty beautiful story together.
I will always be one of you. You are now part of my history, as I feel that I’m part of yours. Italy, Juve, Turin, tiffosi bianconeri, you’ll always be in my heart.”
Christiano Ronaldo, Instagram
Ronaldo Confirmed by United…
Ronaldo, who is now a five-time Ballon d’Or winner. Scored 118 goals in 292 appearances for the Red Devils in his first spell. He has also won over thirty major trophies during his career including; four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain, and Italy, and the European Championship for Portugal.
Wayne Rooney’s Prediction on CR7
Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, initially reacted when the speculation of CR7 going to join their rival, Manchester City.
Rooney and Ronaldo had a good partnership together at Old Trafford under legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
Wayne was asked in an interview with TalkSPORT, of the possibility of the transfer. And he disclosed that it couldn’t be certain that his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo would move to Manchester City ahead of Man U.
“If you’re asking me if I think it’s possible, then I have major doubts that it is a possibility. Cristiano has got a great legacy at United. I don’t think he’s going to move somewhere for financial reasons.
“I’d be unsure if that’s going to happen. I think there’s more chance of it being Paris Saint-Germain if he is to leave Juventus.
“On the other hand, it’s football, it can happen; it has happened before. Big players and legends from Manchester United in terms of Peter Schmeichel went to City, Andy Cole went to City, Mark Hughes managed City.
“It has happened before but I think someone of Cristiano’s stature I can’t see it happening,” Rooney had said.
“I think you need to do what’s right for you as a person, for your family. Everyone knows I could never play for Liverpool or Manchester City. That’s obvious but everyone’s different,” he added.
Footballers Reactions
Several football legends also reacted to seeing CR7 returning to his former home.
Former United captain, Roy Keane wrote “Welcome back Cristiano,” on Instagram.
Edwin van der Sar, Ronaldo’s former United teammate wrote on Instagram:
“How are you feeling @manchesterunited fans? Always dreamt but never expected that it would happen! Welcome back in Manchester @cristiano”.
United’s summer signing, Jadon Malik Sancho tweeted: “SCARY HOURS!” while two of Man U’s brightest stars,
Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard tweeted: “Wow wow wow, he’s home” and “VIVA RONALDOOO!!!! to welcome Ronaldo” respectively.
Other top sensational signings of the season
Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan back to Chelsea
The 2021 transfer market also threw up another surprise. With Belgian star striker, Romelu Lukaku going back to Chelsea from Inter Milan in a club record £97.5million transfer.
Lukaku who was once a Chelsea player made the sensational return, after a sojourn that has seen him play for; Everton, Manchester United and Inter Milan before tracing his way back to Stamford Bridge.
Jadon Sancho (Dortmund to Man Utd, £73m)
Manchester United also secured their long-time 21-year-old England international transfer target, Jadon Sancho from Dortmund. In a deal worth £73 million.
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid to Manchester United, £40m)
United also confirmed the signing of France 28-year-old International center-back, Raphael Varane, from Real Madrid.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan to PSG, free)
In a bid to become one of the best clubs in Europe. Paris Saint-Germain signed one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Gianluigi Donnarumma joined on a free transfer from AC Milan. Donnarumma was named the Player of the tournament at the recently concluded European championship.
David Alaba (Bayern to Real Madrid, free)
Bayern Munich will now be without their two-time Champions League winner, David Alaba, who left the club to Real Madrid on a free transfer after 18 years.
Honourable mentions:
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid to PSG, free)
Ben White (Brighton and Holves Albion to Arsenal, £50m)
Achraf Hakimi (Inter to PSG, £60m)
Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool to PSG, free)
Memphis Depay (Lyon to Barcelona, free)
Jack Harrison (Man City to Leeds, £11m)
Michael Olise (Reading to Crystal Palace, £8m)
Andre Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt to RB Leipzig, £20m)
Ibrahima Konate (RB Leipzig to Liverpool, £36m)
Emiliano Buendia (Norwich to Aston Villa, £38m)
Patson Daka (RB Salzburg to Leicester City, £23m)
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