LANDMARK TRANSFER DEALS

JOHAN CRUYFF

Three-time Ballon d’Or winner made headlines when he joined the Catalan club to be reunited with coach Rinus Michels, in an era when international transfers were rare. The move paid off as Barcelona went on to win the Spanish title for the first time since 1960.

DIEGO MARADONA Barcelona to Napoli in 1984 (then $7.6 million)

Napoli’s rise to prominence coincided with the arrival of Argentina genius Diego Maradona after club president Corrado Ferlaino broke the world transfer record. Maradona helped the club win two Serie A titles in three

years and the UEFA Cup. But his stint in Italy had a bitter ending as Maradona left the club after testing positive for cocaine.

ROBERTO BAGGIO

Juventus and Fiorentina fans were already bitter rivals before Baggio’s departure in 1990. Baggio had been a fan favorite in Florence. Dozens of people were injured in riots, but Baggio left, later saying: “Deep in my heart I am always purple,” the color of Fiorentina’s shirts.

ALAN SHEARER

Shearer was expected to join Manchester United following the 1996 European Championship, but Newcastle manager Kevin After just one year at Barcelona, the Brazil great quickly adapted to the Italian style of play. His Inter years are among the best of his career, although he only managed to win the UEFA Cup with the Nerazzurri.

LUIS FIGO

A fan favorite after five years in Barcelona, Figo was viewed as a traitor for joining Madrid and faced a hostile reception Madrid got what it paid for with Zidane. He produced magnificent football week in week out, scoring arguably the best goal of his career — an exquisite volley — in Madrid’s 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final.

CRISTIANO RONALDO

A few weeks after signing Real Madrid’s second “galacticos” era peaked with the signing of Bale, who joined the current galaxy of stars — Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema. In his first season, Bale scored in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid to help his new team become European champions for the 10th time.