From Ozil to James: World Cup stars Who earned blockbuster transfers

The FIFA World Cup stands as the pinnacle of football, providing players with a unique opportunity to showcase their talents on a global scale. Beyond the goals, excitement, and memorable moments, this tournament has also acted as a transformative platform for numerous footballers.

For many athletes, outstanding performances during the World Cup have paved the way for significant transfers, elevating them from relative obscurity to international stardom.

A recent example is Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, whose remarkable feats at the 2026 World Cup led to his transfer to the renowned Chilean club Colo-Colo at the age of 40.

While his ascent from the Portuguese second division to one of South America's premier teams is extraordinary, Vozinha is part of a lengthy list compiled by BBC Sport on Thursday, highlighting players whose World Cup performances have significantly altered their careers.

Marc-Vivien Foe: Canon Yaounde to Lens (1994)

Before the 1994 World Cup, Marc-Vivien Foe was relatively unknown, but his performances for Cameroon brought him into the limelight.

Although Cameroon’s campaign in the United States was disappointing compared to their historic success in 1990, Foe distinguished himself as one of the team’s key players.

His outstanding performance against Brazil garnered attention and facilitated his transfer from Canon Yaounde to the French club Lens on a free transfer.

Foe enjoyed four seasons at Lens, contributing to the club's first Ligue 1 title in the 1997/98 season. He subsequently played for West Ham United, Manchester City, and Lyon before his untimely death in 2003 during the Confederations Cup.

Gilberto Silva: Atletico Mineiro to Arsenal (2002)

Gilberto Silva became a prominent figure following Brazil’s victory at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

The midfielder participated in every minute of Brazil’s campaign after stepping in for the injured captain Emerson in the starting lineup.

His authoritative performances secured him a transfer to Premier League champions Arsenal, who acquired him from Atletico Mineiro for approximately £4.5 million.

Nicknamed “The Invisible Wall”, Silva became a key figure in Arsene Wenger’s team, winning two FA Cups and playing a major role in Arsenal’s unbeaten 2003/04 Premier League title-winning campaign.
Real Madrid signed Ozil from Werder Bremen for around €15m in August 2010.

Javier Mascherano: From Corinthians to West Ham United (2006)

Javier Mascherano made a significant impact on the international scene during the 2006 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in guiding Argentina to the quarter-finals.

His impressive displays for both Corinthians and the national team garnered attention from various European clubs, culminating in a transfer to West Ham United, where he joined his Argentine compatriot Carlos Tevez.

Despite a brief tenure at West Ham, Mascherano subsequently moved to Liverpool and later to Barcelona, where he achieved remarkable success, including two Champions League titles and numerous domestic honors.

Mesut Ozil: From Werder Bremen to Real Madrid (2010)

Mesut Ozil emerged as one of the standout players of the 2010 World Cup, contributing to Germany's third-place finish in South Africa.

The attacking midfielder notched four goals and provided four assists throughout the tournament, attracting the interest of some of Europe’s top clubs.

During his tenure with the Spanish giants, he secured the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup before transferring to Arsenal in 2013 as the club's record signing at that time.

James Rodriguez: From Monaco to Real Madrid (2014)

James Rodriguez delivered one of the most unforgettable individual performances at the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil.

The Colombian international scored six goals during his nation's journey to the quarter-finals, earning the Golden Boot and a spot in FIFA’s team of the tournament.

His spectacular volley against Uruguay became a defining highlight of the event and later earned him the FIFA Puskás Award.

In response, Real Madrid signed Rodriguez from Monaco for approximately €75 million, and he subsequently won multiple trophies, including two Champions League titles.

Vozinha: From Chaves to Colo-Colo (2026)

Vozinha emerged as one of the unexpected stars of the 2026 World Cup, playing a pivotal role in helping Cape Verde secure their first World Cup point with a clean sheet against the eventual champions, Spain.

His outstanding performances contributed to Cape Verde's advancement to the knockout stages and garnered him widespread acclaim.

After a career that included spells in Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus and Portugal, the veteran goalkeeper secured a dream move to Colo-Colo, one of Chile’s most successful clubs.

His transfer serves as another reminder that the World Cup remains a powerful platform capable of changing footballers’ careers.

Other players who earned major moves after World Cup performances

Gheorghe Hagi — Brescia to Barcelona (1994)

Dejan Stankovic — Red Star Belgrade to Lazio (1998)

Carlos Salcido — Guadalajara to PSV Eindhoven (2006)

Nicolas Otamendi — Velez Sarsfield to Porto (2010)

Edinson Cavani — Palermo to Napoli (2010)

Sami Khedira — Stuttgart to Real Madrid (2010)

Alexis Sanchez — Udinese to Barcelona (2010)

Keylor Navas — Levante to Real Madrid (2014)

Enner Valencia — Pachuca to West Ham United (2014)

Enzo Fernández — Benfica to Chelsea (2022)