Football clubs sign players hoping they will become legends, but sometimes things don’t go according to plan.
Occasionally, these transfers lead to regret, both for the club and the fans, due to off-field controversies, disappointing performances, or acrimonious exits. Here, we explore some high-profile players whose former clubs might wish they could erase from their history books.
Raheem Sterling: Liverpool’s Unwanted Departure
Liverpool fans once hailed Raheem Sterling as a rising star, but his departure in 2015 left a sour taste in the mouths of many. Despite offering him a substantial £100,000-a-week contract, Liverpool failed to tie him down, and Sterling, along with his agent Aidy Ward, rejected the deal. This led to public tensions, culminating in Sterling giving a controversial BBC interview where he confirmed his desire to leave.
By July 2015, Sterling had made the highly contentious move to Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, Manchester City. Liverpool fans were livid, feeling betrayed by Sterling’s perceived chase for a bigger paycheck. His hostile receptions at Anfield were only intensified by a video showing him singing anti-Liverpool chants alongside his City teammates. Even Liverpool players echoed fan sentiments by targeting Sterling during matches, underscoring the depth of resentment his exit caused.
Mesut Özil: Arsenal’s Financial and On-Field Disappointment
When Mesut Özil arrived at Arsenal in 2013 from Real Madrid, the Gunners believed he was the man to restore the club to its former glory. For a while, Özil’s magic on the pitch seemed to do just that. However, after a few seasons, his performances became inconsistent, and Arsenal supporters began accusing him of laziness. His nonchalant style, combined with his hefty £350,000-a-week salary, soon became a problem.
The situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic when Özil refused to take a pay cut to help the club financially. On top of this, he had a series of fallouts with managers Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, leading to his exclusion from Premier League and Europa League squads in the 2020/21 season. Off the pitch, Özil’s outspoken criticism of China’s treatment of the Uighur Muslims in 2019 further complicated matters, with Arsenal distancing themselves from his comments. In 2021, after a long and messy decline, Özil left for Fenerbahçe, marking the end of an awkward chapter for Arsenal.
Gareth Bale: Real Madrid’s Reluctant Hero
Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid in 2013 made him the most expensive player in the world. During his time in Spain, he became a crucial figure in one of Real Madrid’s most successful eras, securing five Champions League titles and scoring memorable goals, including his iconic winner against Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final.
However, trouble soon began to brew. In 2014, Bale opted to shoot instead of passing to Cristiano Ronaldo, causing friction with both the fans and media. He also struggled to adapt culturally, making little effort to learn Spanish, which further alienated him from the Madrid faithful. Frequent injuries and missed games only added to the frustrations, with fans often booing him upon his return to the pitch. Despite being pushed to leave, Bale saw out his contract, but not before celebrating with a now-infamous banner that read, “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order.” After a turbulent stay, Bale left for LAFC, closing an up-and-down chapter with the Spanish giants.
Mauro Icardi: Inter Milan’s Self-Inflicted Drama
Mauro Icardi was Inter Milan’s goal-scoring machine and captain, often finishing as the club’s top scorer. However, things took a dramatic turn when Icardi released his autobiography “Sempre Avanti” in 2016. In the book, he recounted an incident with a group of Inter ultras, painting himself as a hero, even claiming he threatened to bring “100 goons from Argentina” to confront them.
This sparked outrage among Inter fans, who responded by booing him, holding up banners that called him a “clown,” and even throwing his jersey back onto the pitch. The situation worsened when his wife and agent, Wanda Nara, became vocal in contract disputes and criticisms of the club, adding fuel to the fire. After Inter stripped Icardi of the captaincy in 2019, he refused to travel with the team, leading to his eventual loan and subsequent sale to Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar: PSG’s €222 Million Headache
Neymar’s world-record €222 million transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 was supposed to elevate the club to new heights. However, his tenure in Paris was marred by injuries, controversy, and fan frustration. In his first season, Neymar missed a crucial Champions League match against Real Madrid, with PSG being knocked out—a pattern that would repeat itself due to frequent injuries during key European clashes in 2019 and 2023.
Off the pitch, Neymar’s frequent trips to Brazil, his love of nightlife, and what fans saw as a lack of commitment to the club’s struggles created significant friction. In 2023, a group of 400 fans even gathered outside his house with flares, demanding he leave. Despite his contract running until 2027, Neymar’s turbulent time in Paris ended with a move to the Saudi Pro League in 2023, closing the door on a failed partnership between player and club.
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