Every football transfer market has its story to tell, but this year it has been quite particular.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a terrible impact on the finances of the clubs, and yet there are some who manage to dig deep and come up with the right money to lure footballers playing for other teams to join them. This raises so many questions on whether the fair play system in place is really being effective.

As the years go by, we have seen transfer records being broken, and sometimes one wonders what would be the value of football giants like Pele and Maradona now. If some players are now worth a €100 million or more without having achieved so much and without having the skills of this South American duo, then Pele and Maradona would be worth €1,000 million, maybe more, if you get the drift.

But what irks the genuine supporters is not only the price-tag.

What is so annoying is the behaviour of the players who move to another club, and even how quickly they forget their past.

Take the biggest move of this summer, perhaps of the decade. Argentine star Lionel Messi left Barcelona to join Paris St Germain after financial rules in Spain did not allow for his multi-million contract with the Catalan club to be renewed. We first saw Messi shed tears in his last press conference as a Barcelona player, and a couple of days later with a wide grin as he signed for the French club.

It is the perfect example showing that footballers are loyal to money, not to the club. They may kiss badges and declare eternal love, but if someone comes up with a bigger cheque they up and go.

Not to be outdone, Messi’s biggest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, also changed clubs this summer, returning to Manchester after failing to lead Juventus to a Champions League victory. The circumstances were different, but even here one cannot ignore the fact that “going back home” for Ronaldo annoyed Juventus fans who treated him like a god.

Some players who join new clubs then make declarations which make supporters cringe. Often you get quotes such as “it’s been my dream since childhood”, “I have always supported this club” and “this is the culmination of my career” – and they all sound so fake.

In the age of social media, then they issue what are labelled as “letters” to the fans of the club they have just left. Again, most of them, not to say all, appear not genuine at all. It is no surprise that fans who used to adore their football idols describe them as mercenaries when it is clear that they moved elsewhere for an extra million in salary.

There are, of course, exceptions to the rule. Even in this transfer market session we have had examples of players taking a cut in their salary, or renouncing to a month or two of wages, to facilitate a transfer or remain in the club they wish to play for.

No doubt, these players immediately become the new heroes among the fans, who see them make personal sacrifices for the good of the club. They are the ones whose example is to be followed.

The rest simply chase money. Next time a player kisses a badge after a goal fans should think that he may be kissing another next season.