UEFA Champions League: Top 5 Messiest Transfers

By Yoshiki Matsunaga

UEFA Champions League: Top 5 Messiest Transfers

FC Bayern Muenchen Presents New Player Mehdi Benatia — This summer, Mehdi Benatia and Angel Di Maria both have had some unflattering words for their respective club and president. In response to Benatia claiming that he did not want to leave AS Roma, the Lupi’s President James Pallota called the new Bayern Munich defender a "poisonous liar." Transfers can be tricky sometimes as players, clubs and fans hold grudges for the events that transpire. Here is a list of the messiest transfers in soccer.

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Barcelona to AC Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Barcelona's new signing Swedish forward

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Barcelona to AC Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Barcelona's new signing Swedish forward — It is no secret that Zlatan hated his time at Barcelona. In his autobiography, the Swedish international called Pep Guardiola “the philosopher” and he compared Barca’s prized homegrown players to “school children.” The Paris Saint-Germain striker forced a move away from the Camp Nou just after a year on loan to AC Milan. Before the transfer was made permanent, Ibrahimovic claimed that he had not spoken to Guardiola in months.

4. Luis Figo: Barcelona to Real Madrid

Luis Figo: Euro 2004: Portugal v Greece

4. Luis Figo: Barcelona to Real Madrid

Luis Figo: Euro 2004: Portugal v Greece — The Portuguese international was signed by Real Madrid as a campaign promise made by Florentino Perez. Figo had signed a pre-contract agreement with Perez that required a 30 million euro buyout if the contract was broken. The former Inter Milan winger made his way to Madrid from Barcelona. Barca fans were so angry that they threw whiskey bottles and pig heads at their former star. Figo is still not welcome at Barcelona.

3. Alfredo Di Stefano: Millanarios to Real Madrid

Alfredo Di Stefano Of Real Madrid

3. Alfredo Di Stefano: Millanarios to Real Madrid

Alfredo Di Stefano Of Real Madrid — Di Stefano was purchased by both Real Madrid and Barcelona. The deal was a little complex as Barcelona signed Di Stefano first, but Real Madrid grabbed ownership as well with co-ownership complications between Millanarios and River Plate, messing up Barca’s deal. The courts ruled that Barca and Real shared Di Stefano, with the player representing each club in alternating years. Di Stefano ended up playing for Real Madrid for 10 years.

2. Roberto Baggio: Fiorentina to Juventus

Sport. Football. UEFA Cup Final, Second Leg. Florence. 16th May 1990. Fiorentina 0 v Juventus 0 (Juventus win 3-1 on aggregate). Fiorentina's Roberto Baggio.

2. Roberto Baggio: Fiorentina to Juventus

Sport. Football. UEFA Cup Final, Second Leg. Florence. 16th May 1990. Fiorentina 0 v Juventus 0 (Juventus win 3-1 on aggregate). Fiorentina's Roberto Baggio. — In 1990, Juventus paid 10 million euros to sign Baggio from Fiorentina, a world record fee at that time. The Viola faithful started a riot in Florence over the sale of their star, which resulted in 50 people getting injured.

1. Jean-Marc Bosman

(FILES) Belgian soccer player Jean-Marc

1. Jean-Marc Bosman

(FILES) Belgian soccer player Jean-Marc — Bosman’s contract ended with RFC de Liege and consequently wanted to play for Dunkerque in France, but the French side refused to pay the transfer fee Liege demanded. The Belgian took the case to the courts for restraint of trade. The courts ruled that once playing contracts ended, players could move freely. Bosman is not known for being a brilliant soccer player, but his court case changed the course of player ownership and transfers.

Yoshiki Matsunaga is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter yoshikimat, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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