This article discusses ten renowned footballers, including James Rodriguez and Ezequiel Lavezzi, who unexpectedly left prestigious European clubs to play in various Asian leagues. Notable factors influencing their decisions include financial motives and career revivals, showcasing an intriguing shift in player mobility across continents. The list highlights players such as Oscar, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta, emphasizing their significant moves and impacts in Asia.
Football fans worldwide were recently astonished when several prominent players opted to leave elite European leagues for clubs in Asia. A significant example is James Rodriguez, who transferred from Everton to Qatar’s Al-Rayyan SC. This unusual move exemplifies a trend where high-profile athletes make the surprising decision to play in Asian leagues, often influenced by financial incentives.
1. Ezequiel Lavezzi – The Argentine forward left Paris Saint-Germain for Hebei FC in 2016, becoming one of the highest-paid athletes at that time, earning around £798,000 weekly. He retired from professional football in January 2020.
2. Toby Alderweireld – The Belgian defender departed Tottenham Hotspur in summer 2021 to join Al-Duhail SC in Qatar for £13 million, despite having two years left on his contract. His move was part of a defensive overhaul initiated by Spurs’ new coach.
3. Hulk – The Brazilian striker initially made his mark in Europe with FC Porto and subsequently Zenit St. Petersburg. In 2016, he signed with Shanghai SIPG for approximately €55.80 million, dominating with his impressive physicality before moving back to Brazil in 2021.
4. Paulinho – Another Brazilian on this list, Paulinho moved from Tottenham to Guangzhou Evergrande in 2015 for €14 million. After a spell at FC Barcelona, he returned to Evergrande on loan, securing a permanent transfer before moving to Al-Ahli and retiring in 2021.
5. Oscar – Joining Chelsea in 2012, Oscar shocked fans when he transferred to Shanghai SIPG in 2017 for €60 million. Since then, he has become a key player for the club, signing a five-year contract that extends his stay until 2024.
6. James Rodriguez – The Colombian midfielder’s transition to Al-Rayyan SC came after struggles at Everton and Real Madrid. His move was reported at €8 million, aiming to revitalize his career in the QSL after a challenging time in Europe.
7. Fabio Cannavaro – The Italian World Cup winner moved to Al-Ahli in the UAE following the 2010 World Cup. After stints with Juventus and Real Madrid, he retired after 16 appearances for Al-Ahli in July 2011.
8. Carlos Tevez – The prolific Argentine forward, with extensive success in Europe, joined Shanghai Shenhua after a brief return to Boca Juniors. He was reportedly earning £634,000 weekly, becoming one of the highest-paid players in China.
9. Xavi – The legendary midfielder, known for his illustrious career at FC Barcelona, moved to Qatari side Al-Sadd SC in 2015. He stepped into a managerial role there in 2019, leading the team to two trophies thus far.
10. Andres Iniesta – Like Xavi, Iniesta left Barcelona for Vissel Kobe in the J1 League in 2018. Now 37, he aims to continue contributing to the team until 2024 while already achieving success with domestic cups.
Original Source: khelnow.com
