How Neymar and Messi transfers changed the football market and its rules

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In the world of football, every transfer can change the balance of power, and deals involving megastars such as Neymar and Lionel Messi are not just news, but key events that change the industry. The transfers of these players not only raise the price level, but also become indicators of global changes in football. Let’s look at the impact of Neymar and Messi’s moves on the transfer market and what they mean for football as a whole.

The overall impact of transfers on the market

In the summer of 2017, the world was shocked by the news of Neymar’s transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for a record €222 million. This deal was a turning point, opening a new chapter in the history of the football market. Before Neymar’s move, the most expensive transfer in the world was Paul Pogba’s move to Manchester United for €105 million. Neymar’s deal almost doubled that figure, shocking the football community. The record sum became a benchmark for future transfers, setting the tone for a new trend of rapidly increasing prices. This transfer underlined a new reality: clubs with large investments from outside football (in the case of PSG, capital from Qatar) can afford to break traditional market barriers. PSG demonstrated that even such high-profile deals can be made possible through financial strategies such as endorsements and direct financing. Neymar’s transfer changed players’ expectations of their value. Players and their agents began demanding higher salaries and bonuses, based on the record sums paid for the Brazilian star. This triggered transfer market inflation, raising average player prices and salaries.

In the summer of 2021, another landmark deal shook the football world: Lionel Messi, the long-time Barcelona star, joined PSG on a free transfer. This was the result of the financial problems of the Catalan club, which was unable to keep its captain. Messi’s move to PSG showed that even the greatest clubs, such as Barcelona, ​​can face financial difficulties. This underlines the importance of financial fair play and new approaches to managing clubs’ income and expenses. Messi, moving on a free transfer, symbolized a paradigm shift: even top players can be available without huge transfer fees if contractual obligations cannot be fulfilled. PSG benefited from Messi’s transfer not only from a football perspective, but also from a commercial perspective. Sales of shirts with his name broke all records, sponsors flocked to the club, and PSG’s social networks literally exploded with an influx of new subscribers. This once again confirmed that top players are not only masters on the field, but also powerful marketing tools. The emergence of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in one team created an unprecedented attacking trident that forced competitors to rebuild their strategies. This forced clubs to look for new ways to strengthen their squads and balance attacking and defensive potential.

Messi

Since Neymar’s transfer, there has been an avalanche-like inflation of prices. If previously transfers for 50-70 million euros were considered an exception, today even young and promising players are valued in the tens of millions. For example, Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandes are two young talents who have been paid huge sums in recent years. Major transfers show the importance of the commercial component of football. Bringing in a star like Neymar or Messi automatically increases interest in the club, which translates into income from the sale of paraphernalia, media rights and sponsorship contracts. This has changed the strategy of major clubs, which are now increasingly looking at players not only through the prism of their football talent, but also as business assets. These transfers have shown the strength of Ligue 1, traditionally considered less attractive. The transfers of Neymar and Messi to PSG helped the French championship attract attention and raise its level. It has also prompted other leagues, such as the Saudi Pro League, to take more active steps to recruit stars.

As the football market continues to evolve, new transfer records can be expected. The likelihood of superstars moving to other, less traditional leagues such as Saudi Arabia or the USA is becoming increasingly high due to their economic power. Football is moving towards globalization, where every deal is not just a sport, but part of a larger commercial ecosystem. However, it is important to remember that behind these millions are fans who expect not only goals and victories from their idols, but also loyalty.

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