Talent and ambition usually go hand-in-hand. But not always. Some players, despite having the potential to become legends of the game, made career choices clearly driven by money over legacy.
Whether it was early moves to uncompetitive leagues, premature exits from top clubs, or transfers for absurd wages—these footballers opted for financial security at the cost of sporting greatness.
Here are the Top 15 footballers—past and present—who chose money over their careers, updated with the latest moves and controversies from 2025.
1. Oscar
Key Transfer: Chelsea → Shanghai SIPG (2017)
Oscar was just 25 and in his prime when he ditched Stamford Bridge for a record-breaking €25 million/year salary in China. Many fans and pundits saw this as a pure money move. Oscar later admitted:
“I know I won’t be called up for the national team, but I have to think about my family.”
2. Alex Song
Key Transfer: Arsenal → Barcelona (2012)
Song joined Barça for prestige but was quickly relegated to the bench. Still, he openly stated:
“I went to Barcelona to become a millionaire. I didn’t care if I didn’t play.”
3. Neymar Jr.
Key Transfers: Barcelona → PSG → Al Hilal (2023)
Neymar left the Messi–Suárez trio at Barça to be the star in Paris. But his 2023 Saudi move confirmed critics’ long-held beliefs.
Reported salary at Al Hilal: $300M/year.
4. Radamel Falcao
Key Transfer: Atlético Madrid → AS Monaco (2013)
At his peak, Falcao left Champions League contention for tax-free riches in Ligue 1. Injuries and bad loans followed, and his career never recovered.
5. Emmanuel Adebayor
Key Transfer: Arsenal → Manchester City (2009)
Left a title-contending Arsenal for City’s then-new project. Despite earning millions, he never hit elite form again.
6. Paulinho
Key Transfer: Tottenham → Guangzhou Evergrande (2015)
A bizarre career arc. He left Europe for China in his 20s. Surprisingly returned to Barcelona in 2017—only to go back to China after one season, again for higher wages.
7. Hulk
Key Transfers: Porto → Zenit → Shanghai SIPG
A physically dominant forward, Hulk spent his prime years away from Europe’s elite competitions, prioritizing huge contracts in Russia and China.
8. Odion Ighalo
Key Transfer: Watford → Changchun Yatai (2017), later Al Hilal
Ighalo admitted the Chinese Super League made him “financially free.” He even left Manchester United (loan) to chase better pay in the Gulf region.
9 . Ilaix Moriba
Key Transfer: Barcelona → RB Leipzig (2021)
Once dubbed the future of Barcelona’s midfield, Ilaix rejected a contract renewal in favor of a much more lucrative offer in Germany. Despite flashes of talent, he failed to impress at Leipzig and has since been loaned out repeatedly—including to Valencia and Getafe.
A classic case of too much, too soon, his early move for money derailed what could have been a golden career at one of Europe’s biggest clubs
10. Bryan Zaragoza (Confirmed 2025)
Key Move: Bayern Munich → Departed in June 2025
Just 22, Zaragoza was let go because top Spanish clubs couldn’t match his wage demands. Sources say his camp is eyeing Middle East clubs.
11. Jack Wilshere (Retrospective)
Choices: Rejected top European offers; joined West Ham and later moved to Denmark for a final paycheck.
Injuries hurt his career, but some of his later decisions pointed toward financial motivations over rebuilding at elite clubs.
12. Jesse Lingard
Key Transfer: Nottingham Forest → FC Seoul (2024)
After bouncing around the Premier League, Lingard stunned fans by signing for South Korea’s FC Seoul—reportedly earning over $3M/year. Career revival was unlikely.
13. . Georginio Wijnaldum
Key Transfer: Liverpool → PSG (2021), then loaned to Saudi Arabia
After Champions League success at Liverpool, he opted for PSG (and big wages), but was quickly sidelined and eventually moved to the Gulf.
14. Wilfried Zaha
Key Transfer: Crystal Palace → Galatasaray (2023)
Once Palace’s talisman, Zaha turned down a reported £200k/week extension to sign with Galatasaray on a free transfer. The move promised Champions League football, but it also came with a significantly lower salary than he was offered in England. His time in Turkey was inconsistent, leading to a surprise MLS switch to Charlotte FC in 2025.
A complex case where money and ambition clashed, Zaha’s decisions ultimately took him away from Europe’s top leagues and into career obscurity.
15. Jhon Durán
Key Transfer: Aston Villa → Saudi Pro League (2025)
At just 20, Durán showed flashes of raw talent at Aston Villa but hadn’t yet nailed down a starting role. Instead of staying in the Premier League to develop, he accepted a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League—reportedly quadrupling his wages. With top European interest still budding, the move was seen by many as cash-driven rather than career-smart.
A case of chasing the bag far too early—sacrificing elite development during prime growth years for instant financial reward.
