The decade was kicked off and closed by Real Madrid and their Galactico era when they smashed the transfer record four times – Luis Figo at 37.5 million in 2000 – Zidane – 48 million in 2001, Kaka 56 million in 2009 then 2 weeks later they paid Manchester united 80 million for the services of Cristiano Ronaldo. After Zidane in 2001 they also paid lots of money for David Beckham, Ronaldo as they were looking to dominate the world on the field and off it with huge advertisement deals. The plan worked as the unseated Manchester United from the top of the money spinners pile.
This is the decade that will also the bust of some of the best talents in world football. To name just a few – Ronaldinho( 2 time world player of the year) Lionel Messi – favourite for the 2009 world player of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo who is the reigning footballer of the year. They were others like Wayne Rooney at Everton before he became too big for them especially after starring for England at Euro 2004 in Portugal as an 18 year old and became the most expensive teenager in history when he joined Manchester United for a record 29 million.
The death of Marc-Vivien Foe sent shock waves through the football world. He collapsed in the second semi-final of the 2003 confederations cup playing for Cameroon against Colombia. He collapsed unchallenged, the medical stuff tried to resuscitate him for more than 45 minutes without success. Cameroon went onto play in the final although they lost it by a single goal to France despite having been given an option to pull out.
The demise of Leeds United also made a lot of headlines because at the beginning of the decade Leeds United were regarded as one of England’s top clubs regularly competing for places in Europe and one of the highlight of their European adventures was when they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001. After financial trouble and a mass sale of players, they were relegated from the Premier League in 2004. Three season later they were relegated to the third tire of English football were they still languish today.
2004 saw two things happen, unfacied Greece winning Euro 2004 in what is the most under dog story of the decade. They shocked Portugal in the opening game, beat a Zidane led French team in the Quarterfinals before they beat Portugal again in the finals. Jose Mourinho led Porto to Champions League glory against all odds then he left to join Chelsea. His first press conference he anointed himself the special one and special he was as he led Chelsea to 5 trophies in his 3 years there breaking the dominance of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United partly helped by Abramovich’s billions.
A lot of clubs in England were taken over by foreigners, Glazers at Manchester United, George Gillet and Tom Hicks at Liverpool, Randy Lerner at Aston Villa, Roman Abramovich at Chelsea, and Dubai group at Manchester City. The first two were controversial because they purchases were done using loans which left the clubs in debt. Abramovich spent close to £ 600-million of his personal fortune to transform Chelsea into a global super power. He later complained to UEFA when Manchester City started spending their billion from Abu Dhabi after his personal fortune took a dent because of the economic recession. Dubai group did flex their financial muscle after breaking the British transfer record by signing Robinho for £32.5 million.
LA Galaxy’s signing of David Beckham in 2007 ranks as the biggest transfer of decade in the soccer world other than the millions spent by Real Madrid. Beckham signed to a five year deal after he waited for a contract from Real Madrid and it wasn’t coming. The announcement sent shockwaves through the world of football as Beckham became the biggest player to join the MLS since its inception signing a massive £128 million deal.
Some other stories that deserve a mention are Liverpool’s Champions League win in 2005 after being 3-0 down in the first half, equalised in six crazy minutes of football and went on to win it on penalties after extra time. Zinedine Zidane’s head imprint on Marco Materazzi’s chest in the 2006 world cup final left a lot of disbelief from everyone who was watching the game. He got a red card for his act, bowing out in a bit of a disgrace as it was his last game in football.
I didn’t cover all the stories and I might have left some out but after a decade like this at least now I know that no matter how much money you spend sometimes the trophies don’t just come as Real Madrid found out the hard way. IF the next decade can be as exciting as this one, then I say bring it on.
A prince with dignity and determination
Prince Ngarambe’s goals are to become Rwanda’s first transgender model and to uplift the country’s youth
The EFF’s principles are unshakeable
Unlike the ANC, the core values of the freedom fighters do not change with each leader it elects
