5 Most expensive Goal scorers in Football history

Football is the most popular sport in the world and has various big and small leagues happening all the around the world throughout the year. In order for a league to be successful it has to attract some of the best players of the world to play in their league which will increase its brand value and at the same time build a fan base of a particular club or franchise for whom the top players of the world plays.

To do this clubs make transfers of big players from around the world to their clubs which involves huge sums of money. But these transfers not always reap dividends for the clubs as well as they had thought off. Some of these transfers come with such a hefty price tags that leaves fans and pundits scratching their heads.

While these players might have dazzled in previous seasons or have shown moments of brilliance but their hefty price tags come with expectations of consistent goal-scoring prowess. The burden of such immense expectations can be crippling.

The weight of a hefty transfer fee can weigh heavily on a player's shoulders, affecting their confidence and performance. The constant scrutiny from fans and media also adds up to the pressure on a player which can negatively affect a player's performance. Let’s have a look at some of the most expensive goal scorers in the history of football:

1)      Christian Benteke (Liverpool)

Imagine a powerful engine designed for high-speed racing, stuck in a traffic jam. That's the image that comes to mind when reflecting on Christian Benteke's ill-fated stint at Liverpool. Benteke, a towering striker known for his aerial prowess and finishing touch, joined the Reds in 2015 for a hefty €46.5 million.

Yet, he never truly clicked with Liverpool's playing style, which prioritized quick passing and movement rather than traditional crosses into the box. The mismatch was evident from the start. Benteke, isolated and starved of service. Though he managed 10 goals in 42 appearances, his €4.65 million price tag per goal spoke volumes about the unfulfilled potential.

By the summer of 2016, both Benteke and Liverpool parted ways. The Belgian forward found it at Crystal Palace, a club more suited to his aerial strengths and thus his Anfield adventure ended in disappointment.

2)      Gervinho (Hebei China Fortune)

The Chinese Super League was in the midst of a spending spree, attracting big names like Oscar, Hulk, and Ezequiel Lavezzi. Hebei China Fortune wanted a piece of the action, and Gervinho, a former Premier League star with Arsenal, fit the bill perfectly.

He brought instant recognition and global attention to the club, helping to boost their brand and fan engagement. Gervinho might not have been the most expensive signing for Hebei China Fortune when he arrived in January 2016, costing €18 million from Roma. Yet, after a year and 18 games with only 3 goals, the Ivorian forward's price tag per goal sat at a hefty €6 million.

3)      Jackson Martinez

The third position features another Chinese Super League Club Guangzhou Evergrande. Guangzhou Evergrande got Marinez at a staggering €42 million, only to see the record surpassed two days later! Even stranger, Martinez joined after a lackluster season at Atletico Madrid, averaging a paltry 3 goals in 22 games.

Chinese clubs were on a buying spree a that time attracting big names with inflated fees. Martinez, despite his recent slump, had once been a feared striker at Porto, scoring over 90 goals in 143 games. However, at Evergrande, Martinez didn't fare much better, netting only 4 goals in 16 games. This translated to a staggering €10.5 million per goal – a golden price tag for a lukewarm performance.

4)      Jese Rodriguez

Upon paying €25 million to Real Madrid for the acquisition of forward Jese Rodriguez, PSG anticipated him to step into the substantial shoes left by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had transferred to Manchester United on a free transfer.

However, after a mere six months and 14 games, Rodriguez finds himself loaned to his hometown club Las Palmas for an 18-month spell, signifying the likely conclusion of his career at Parc des Princes. The ex-Real Madrid player ended up costing the Qatari-backed Ligue 1 giants €12.5 million per goal.

5)      Angel di Maria

When Angel Di Maria, nicknamed "El Fideo" for his silky skills, arrived at Old Trafford in 2014 which led to Manchester United fans dream of a new era. He was the crown jewel of their record-breaking £59 million (€75 million) transfer, a player expected to weave magic in red and black.

But the dream quickly turned into a nightmare. After a season plagued by inconsistency and injuries, Di Maria unceremoniously swapped the United badge for that of Paris Saint-Germain. His Old Trafford exit left a bitter taste in fans' mouths, and the financial hangover was brutal: a staggering €18.75 million per goal, the highest in football history! In 32 appearances, Di Maria managed a measly 4 goals, barely one every 8 games.