Bernabé Ferreyra, according to his River Plate team-mate José Manuel ‘El Charro’ Moreno, never used to let his status as the world’s most expensive player bother him. “Bernabé earned as much money as he wanted but he was not concerned with keeping it,” he said. “He gave other people a lot of money, without asking for anything in return. When he shook your hand, you could be sure that you had a friend for the rest of your life.”
But 85 years since the Argentinian striker moved from Club Atlético Tigre to the club nicknamed ‘Los Millonarios’ for £23,000, Ferreyra has finally lost his record. Neymar’s impending move to Paris Saint-Germain in a £198m transfer from Barcelona not only makes the Brazilian the latest name to join the list that began in 1893 when Willie Groves became the first £100 player after joining Aston Villa from West Bromwich Albion. The 25-year-old also becomes the first player since Ferreyra – who went on to score an incredible 187 goals in 185 appearances for River before retiring at the age of 29 – to more than double the existing transfer record.
Related: PSG’s attempt to buy out Neymar’s Barcelona contract is rejected by La Liga
£1,000: Alf Common, 1905
Related: Neymar to PSG: how money and Messi led to the sale of the century | Sid Lowe
Continue reading...