The summer transfer window is well underway, and some massive names have already secured big money transfers. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Kai Havertz, Christopher Nkunku, and Sandro Tonali have all been snapped up, and more superstars in the form of Victor Osimhen and Declan Rice are expected to follow suit. However, are we witnessing a shift in the status quo throughout this summer's transfer merry-go-round?
The wild and wacky world of football regularly sees new players attempt to throw their name into the hat as a footballing powerhouse. Over a decade ago we saw Russia attempt to become a major player when the likes of Zenit Saint-Petersburg were snapping up stars such as Hulk despite interest from perceived more illustrious leagues and clubs. In the years after that, the Chinese Super League also attempted to stake their claim as a major power by signing the likes of Oscar and Alex Teixeira.
Neither of those attempted takeovers came to fruition however, this summer, there is a new power at play.
The Rise of Saudi Arabian Sporting Interests
Over the last decade or so, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become a major power in the world of sports. They have hosted numerous high-profile boxing matchups including two of Anthony Joshua's World Heavyweight Championship bouts, namely his title rematches against both Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk. They have also been hosting two WWE pay-per-view events per year with the likes of Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and The Undertaker all competing in the Arabian Gulf nation in recent years.
But 18 months ago, they turned their attention to the planet's global game, football. The Saudi Wealth Fund completed its purchase of Newcastle United around 18 months ago, and the Magpies have since gone strength-to-strength. Then, back in January, they shook up the world when they completed Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr completed the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Since then, a number of Europe's top stars have completed moves to various clubs in the league, with the likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and Marcelo Brozović all making the move in recent weeks. Further moves are expected in the not-too-distant future and that got us thinking, who are the biggest names to leave European football for foreign shores in recent years? Let's take a look.
Lorenzo Insigne & Federico Bernadeschi
Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC aren't one of Canada's best-supported sports teams, however, they aimed to become exactly that in the summer of 2022. Barely a year prior, both Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernadeschi were stealing the show at the delayed European Championships for Italy. They led the Azzurri all the way to the final in the coveted tournament, where they would dispatch England on penalties at Wembley.
Barely a year later, however, both had made their way to Canada to represent The Reds, despite being well and truly in their prime. Things didn't immediately work out as expected though. Despite their new big-money signings, The Reds somehow conspired to lose six of their last eight games, including their last five on the bounce, which resulted in them finishing second bottom of the Eastern Conference.
The 2023 campaign isn't going any better and Canada's finest are currently second-bottom once again after picking up just three wins out of 23. Their loyal fan base will be hoping their Italian icons can inspire a transformation of fortunes in the not-so-distant future.
Andrés Iniesta & Fernando Torres
Between 2008 and 2012, the Spanish national team were the dominant force in international football. Los Rojas managed to win three consecutive major tournaments during that time frame, beginning with the European Championships in 2008. Two years later, they secured their maiden FIFA World Cup crown in South Africa before successfully retaining the Euros two years later.
Between them, Andrés Iniesta and Fernando Torres scored three goals in those finals. The latter scored the only goal of the game as Spain beat Germany in Vienna in the Euro 2008 final, as well as bagging in a 4-0 drubbing of Italy in Kyiv in the same showpiece fixture four years later. The former meanwhile scored the only goal of the game in Johannesburg in the summer of 2010 against the Netherlands as Spain became world champions.
Six years on from their second European Championship, however, Iniesta found himself on the move to Japan. After winning everything there was to win with his beloved Barcelona numerous times over, the iconic playmaker decided to make the move to Vissel Kobe. Just a matter of weeks later, he was joined by his former international teammate Fernando Torres, who also decided to make the move to the J-League however, he joined up with Sagan Tosu.
Both players spent differing amounts of time in the land of the rising sun. Iniesta's career has only just finished in the country and he spent a whopping five years at Vissel Kobe, becoming an icon in the process. Torres meanwhile decided to retire after just one year where he would net seven goals.
