Credit: Goal.com
These are the real heroes of football!
When a big club offers trophies and heaps of money, it's hard for a player not to be tempted. However, even in today's game, there are still a few who follow their hearts instead of their wallets or logic. Here’s a look at some of those players who resisted the allure of chasing that enticing dragon, choosing instead to stay where they are—often driven by sentiment and loyalty.
Alan Shearer won the Premier League and two Golden Boots with Blackburn before top-scoring at Euro 96. Manchester United, long admirers since 1992, were strongly linked with him again, but Shearer chose his hometown club, Newcastle United, over Ferguson’s side. In his first season at Newcastle, he won another Golden Boot, but the Magpies finished second—behind the club he rejected. Afterward, Barcelona’s Sir Bobby Robson tried to tempt him to Spain, but Shearer stayed loyal to Newcastle. Despite never winning a trophy there, he ended his career as the Premier League’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals.
The calciopoli scandal relegated Alessandro Del Piero's Juventus to Serie B in 2006, just months after they had won the World Cup and Scudetto. While stars like Ibrahimovic, Vieira, and Cannavaro left for other top clubs, Del Piero, along with Buffon and Nedved, stayed. His iconic loyalty was summed up in his words: "A true gentleman never leaves his lady." Del Piero led Juventus back to Serie A, enduring four trophyless seasons and setbacks. He eventually witnessed their revival under Antonio Conte, with Juventus winning the 2011/12 Scudetto in his final, emotional season.
For 25 years, no offer could lure Francesco Totti away from the Stadio Olimpico. After winning his only Scudetto with Roma in 2000/01, Real Madrid made a serious approach, but Totti chose loyalty over trophies. Despite not winning nearly as much as he could have elsewhere, Totti remained devoted to his boyhood club, becoming Serie A’s second-highest all-time goalscorer. His love for Roma was evident throughout his career, and in 2017, he bid an emotional farewell to football, with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face—a moment far more valuable to him than any trophy.
After Liverpool’s historic Champions League win in 2005, Steven Gerrard’s departure seemed unthinkable, especially after he declared, “How can I leave after this? It's the greatest night of my life.” Yet, in the summer, Gerrard handed in a transfer request after Chelsea and José Mourinho tempted him. Torn between joining a club with big ambitions or staying at his boyhood team, he admitted his request was a push for Liverpool to show their desire to keep him. Ultimately, Gerrard stayed loyal, later expressing regret over not winning the Premier League, but pride in his absolute commitment to Liverpool.
In 2015, Manuel Pellegrini aimed to reunite with his former Villarreal player, Diego Godin, by bringing the Atletico Madrid star to Manchester City. However, despite the offer, Godin, a Champions League finalist and La Liga champion, stayed loyal to Atletico. Reflecting on the opportunity, Godin said, "City wanted me when Pellegrini was there... I’m proud, but I feel like just another fan of this club. I’m very happy here." Despite enduring another heartbreaking Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in 2016, Godin remained with Atletico until 2019, when he eventually moved to Inter Milan.
Pavel Nedved (Juventus), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Marek Hamsik (Napoli), and Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) are also part of this elusive list!
