When a club legend leaves a club for pastures new, especially in their prime years, it can sometimes be baffling to loyal fans but often, there are events going on beyond the scenes that the regular supporter on the street simply doesn't know about. Relationships with executives, and those figures' decision-making, can often be the driving factor behind a player moving on, but lips tend to be sealed until after the event.
Luis Figo will make a surprise - and potentially provocative - return to Barcelona tonight after being named UEFA ambassador for their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Figo remains a figure of hate among the Barca fanbase for his decision to swap Camp Nou for Real Madrid in 2000 - a seismic transfer that rocked the world of football, even leading to a Netflix documentary.
It was a moment that should have been celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic. What could prove to be the most expensive transfer in women's soccer history - and already is the largest outgoing transfer in NWSL history - had sent Alyssa Thompson from Angel City and the NWSL to Chelsea of England's Women's Super League. It was a monumental deal,
Lookman and the recurring stomach aches. It was August 17, 2024, when Ademola first showed signs of a stomach ache' caused by the strong call of PSG. At that time, Luis Enrique's team had no idea they would go on to complete a season full of success. Back then, tensions between the Nigerian and La Dea eased without raising much dust. A few training sessions separately, and then it was peace again.