False start: top 10 stars who unexpectedly extended their contracts | OneFootball

The announcement surprised everyone. This Friday, Nico Williams chose to extend his journey with Athletic Club, even though he seemed destined for FC Barcelona. A decision that recalls several significant episodes in recent decades where players, expected to join a big club, ultimately decided to remain loyal to their team. A look back at these turnarounds that have marked the history of the transfer market (in chronological order).

Francesco Totti – The One-Club Man (2004) In 2004, after another disappointing season for Roma, Real Madrid was pushing hard to bring Francesco Totti to the Spanish capital. The Italian was tempted, but the pressure from the fans and his attachment to the club convinced him to stay. A choice that sealed his legend as the eternal capitano of Roma.

Steven Gerrard – Heart in Liverpool (2005) A classic of its kind. After the Champions League victory in 2005, Steven Gerrard was very close to joining Chelsea. The English midfielder had even expressed a desire to leave. Ultimately, the Liverpool native listened to his heart and extended his love story with the Reds, becoming forever a club legend.

Wayne Rooney – One Foot Out, to a Golden Extension (2010)

In October 2010, Wayne Rooney shocked England by announcing his intention to leave Manchester United, believing the club no longer shared his ambitions. City and Chelsea were preparing for a battle over the star striker. But after a week of tensions, Alex Ferguson managed to convince his scorer: Rooney stayed and signed a new contract with a record salary at the time.

Carlos Tévez  – The Failed Departure from Manchester City (2011)

In 2011, Carlos Tévez clearly expressed his dissatisfaction at Manchester City and his desire to leave the club, particularly to be closer to his family in Argentina. Inter Milan and AC Milan tried to recruit him, and a departure seemed inevitable. But no offer satisfied City. Ultimately, the Argentine stayed in Manchester and eventually rejoined the group after a period of exclusion, even contributing to the championship title in 2012.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Doubts Swept Away by an Extension (2013)

In the summer of 2013, rumors were rampant. Unhappy with certain aspects of his contract and Real Madrid's decisions, Cristiano Ronaldo was rumored to be leaving, with a return to Manchester United mentioned. Ultimately, Florentino Pérez offered the Portuguese a new lucrative contract and an ambitious project. Ronaldo stayed and led Real to a historic treble.

Sergio Ramos – The Standoff with Real Madrid (2015)

In 2015, Sergio Ramos found himself at the center of a contractual battle with Real Madrid. The central defender, a pillar of the merengue defense, was rumored to be on Manchester United's radar. For several weeks, a departure seemed likely as negotiations dragged on. Ultimately, after a summer of rumors and tension, Ramos got what he wanted: a new contract befitting his status and extended loyalty to Real until 2021.

Marco Verratti – The Temptation of Barcelona (2017) In the summer of 2017, PSG's Italian midfielder seemed on the verge of joining Barça. Unhappy with the Parisian club's management, he had expressed his desire to leave. But after discussions and a takeover by the management, Verratti ultimately extended and remained a key player in the Parisian midfield for several more seasons.

Antoine Griezmann – The Decision of 2018 The Griezmann-Atlético-Barça saga kept Spain on edge in 2018. Everything pointed to the Frenchman joining the Blaugrana. But in a documentary titled The Decision, Griezmann ended the suspense: he stayed with Atlético. A choice praised by Atlético supporters… before his departure a year later.

Neymar – The Return to Barça That Never Happened (2019)

Two years after his sensational move to PSG, Neymar dreamed of returning to FC Barcelona. Throughout the summer of 2019, the Brazilian sent multiple signals to his former club. Barça attempted to put together a complex deal with player exchanges, but Paris remained inflexible. Ultimately, Neymar stayed at PSG and even extended in 2021, after rediscovering some joy under the Parisian colors.

Kylian Mbappé – The Eternal Flirt with Real Madrid (2022)

In 2022, everything seemed set. After months of rumors, Kylian Mbappé was expected to be the future star of Real Madrid. Spanish and French media were convinced: the PSG striker was going to cross the Pyrenees. And yet, at the last moment, Mbappé extended his contract until 2024 with the Parisian club, causing a real shockwave in the football world.

Nico Williams: A Repeating Scenario (2025)

Nico Williams' decision is thus part of a long tradition of spectacular reversals. In football, where rumors often reign, these choices remind us that everything can change until the last moment. Whether it's about the heart, sporting ambitions, or financial considerations, an announced transfer is never certain until the signature.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

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