The most expensive transfers in South American soccer – ranked

South America has long been a goldmine of top-level soccer talent. From Argentine players to Brazilian strikers, major European clubs have paid huge sums to bring these stars to the world's top leagues.

Below are the most expensive transfers of South American players of all time, starting with number 20 and ending with the world record number 1.

20. Kaká (AC Milan ➝ Real Madrid, 2009 - £58 million)

Real Madrid's galactic era began to take shape in 2009 with the arrival of Brazilian maestro Kaka. Although injuries hampered his play, his performances for Golden Ball-winning Milan justified the high transfer price.

19. Luis Diaz (Liverpool ➝ Bayern Munich, 2025 - £60.5 million)

FC Bayern Munich has signed Luis Diaz after a successful season under Arne Slot. The Colombian winger wanted to step out of Salah's shadow and now wants to shine in Germany.

Also read: F1 US Grand Prix weekend: Every winner since 2000

18. Casemiro (Real Madrid ➝ Manchester United, 2022 - €61.1 million)

Described by Erik ten Haga as "cement between the stones," Casemiro has brought solidity and experience to United. Although he has had his ups and downs in the Premier League, he remains a leader in the midfield.

17. Alisson Becker (AS Roma ➝ Liverpool, 2018 - £62.7 million)

Liverpool made Alisson the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at the time, and the investment paid off. Since then, the Brazilian has become a club legend, winning major trophies and strengthening the club's defense.

16. Matheus Cunha (Wolves ➝ Manchester United, 2025 - £64.2 million)

By signing with Manchester United in 2025, Matheus Cunha has fulfilled a childhood dream. After saving Wolves from relegation, he now faces a bigger challenge at Old Trafford.

15. Ángel Di María (Real Madrid ➝ Manchester United, 2014 - £65 million)

Di María arrived in Manchester after a brilliant performance in the Champions League final. His only season at Old Trafford, however, was marred by inconsistency and off-field problems.

Also read: The 31 Drivers with the Most Grand Prix in Formula 1 History

14. James Rodríguez (AS Monaco ➝ Real Madrid, 2014 - €65 million)

Rodriguez became a global star after the 2014 World Cup and prompted Real Madrid to move on quickly. Although he showed some flashes of brilliance, he never managed to fit in with the star-studded team.

13. Julián Álvarez (Manchester City ➝ Atlético Madrid, 2024 - £65 million)

Tired of being second to Erling Haaland, Alvarez moved to Spain in search of a leadership role. At Atlético, he quickly became Simeone's new talisman and a fan favorite.

12th Jhon Duran (Aston Villa ➝ Al-Nassr, 2025 - £66.8 million)

At Villa, Durán impressed with his physique and goals, which earned him a costly move to Saudi Arabia. However, due to personal problems, he returned to Europe on loan to Fenerbahçe.

11. Arthur Melo (Barcelona ➝ Juventus, 2020 - £70 million)

Arthur's controversial transfer to Juventus remains one of the strangest transfers in soccer. A victim of injury, his participation in Turin did not live up to expectations.

Also read: The Complete List of F1 Grand Prix Circuits – Ranked

10. Luis Suárez (Liverpool ➝ Barcelona, 2014 - £71 million)

Liverpool did their best to keep Suárez, but the allure of Barcelona was too great. Together with Messi and Neymar, he formed a devastating trio and became one of the club's top scorers.

9. Darwin Núñez (Benfica ➝ Liverpool, 2022 - £74 million)

After excellent performances in Portugal, Nunez was greeted with high expectations. However, his time at Anfield has been inconsistent, with moments of brilliance followed by periods of frustration.

8. Neymar (Santos ➝ Barcelona, 2013 - €76.5 million)

Neymar, considered the next great Brazilian soccer player, shined during his four seasons at FC Barcelona. He helped the club win the triple crown and was mentioned as Messi's successor until he took a different path.

7. Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli ➝ Juventus, 2016 - £78.3 million)

Higuain broke records at Napoli before he was signed by Juventus. Despite scoring goals in Turin, some fans felt his impact was not commensurate with his price tag.

Also read: Top 10 Highest-Paid Golfers at the 2025 Ryder Cup – Ranked

6. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain ➝ Al-Hilal, 2023 - €78.3 million)

Neymar's controversial transfer to Saudi Arabia was motivated by money and conflicts at PSG. An anterior cruciate ligament injury interrupted his brief stay at Al-Hilal and brought him back to Santos.

5. António (Ajax ➝ Manchester United, 2022 - €82.6 million)

Manchester United paid an exorbitant price for Antony, whom scouts rated at a much lower level. Despite some moments of glory, his time in England was disappointing.

4. Moisés Caicedo (Brighton ➝ Chelsea, 2023 - £101 million)

Caicedo has turned down Liverpool FC to join Chelsea FC. After a difficult first season, he is now considered a long-term successor to N'Golo Kanté in the central defender position.

3. Enzo Fernandez (Benfica ➝ Chelsea, 2023 - £105.3 million)

After being voted best young player at the World Cup, Enzo was one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe. After a slow start, he reached his peak in 2024-25.

Also read: 10 Greatest Centers in Los Angeles Lakers History (Ranked)

2. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool ➝ Barcelona, 2018 - £117.3 million)

Barcelona's dream signing of Coutinho quickly turned into a nightmare. He never integrated into the system and became a symbol of wasted money at Camp Nou.

1. Neymar (Barcelona ➝ Paris Saint-Germain, 2017 - £195 million)

The most expensive transfer in soccer history took place when PSG activated Neymar's release clause. Hoping to get out of Messi's shadow, Neymar has had to deal with injuries, controversy and the hatred of Parisian fans.