Players who turned World Cup heroics into big transfers

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCommonwealth GamesCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandNews FeedsHelp & FAQsFIFA World CupResultsTop ScorersTeamsPlayers who turned World Cup heroics into big transfersImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Vozinha, James Rodriguez and Mesut Ozil all earned big moves after standout performances at a World Cup The World Cup is football's biggest stage, filled with goals, drama and unforgettable moments - but it can also prove to be the ultimate shop window. World Cup heroics have transformed players' lives in the past, and Vozinha's recent move to Chilean side Colo-Colo after an impressive tournament with Cape Verde is the latest reminder that the competition still has the power to change careers. At the age of 40, the goalkeeper's journey from the Portuguese second division to Chile's biggest club may be unique, but he is not the first to get a big move after starring on the global stage. Here are some of the players whose standout performances at the World Cup earned them a big move. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Marc-Vivien Foe earned a move from Cameroon to France after the 1994 World Cup Similar to Vozinha, Marc-Vivien Foe was an unknown name before the 1994 World Cup. Despite Cameroon's disappointing World Cup campaign in the USA, compared to their historic run in 1990, Foe emerged as one of the team's best performers during his debut tournament. A standout game against Brazil caught attention, which then led to a free transfer from Cameroon's Canon Yaounde to French side Lens. Foe spent four years at Lens and helped them achieve their first league title in the 1997-98 season. He also played for West Ham United, Manchester City and Lyon, where he won the French League Cup and Lyon's first Ligue 1 title in 2002. Foe tragically passed away in June 2003 after he collapsed during a Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia. Image source, Hulton Archive via Getty ImagesImage caption, Gilberto Silva moved to Arsenal after winning the 2002 World Cup Gilberto Silva's first appearance at a World Cup came in 2002, when the tournament was hosted in South Korea and Japan. The 25-year-old, who played in Brazil's top division for Atletico Miniero, returned home as a World Cup winner who played every minute of every game for Luiz Felipe Scolari's team. Silva was only brought into the starting XI because Brazil captain Emerson was ruled out by injury. But, after playing a key role in Brazil's triumph, the midfielder earned a move to Premier League champions Arsenal. Nicknamed 'The Invisible Wall', the defensive midfielder joined the Gunners from Atletico Mineiro for about £4.5m. During his six years in north London, Silva won two FA Cups and played a key role in the famous 2003-04 Invincibles side that went unbeaten to claim the Premier League title. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Javier Mascherano moved to the Premier League after reaching the quarter-final of the 2006 World Cup with Argentina At the age of 22, Javier Mascherano announced himself on the global stage at the 2006 World Cup, where he helped Argentina reach the quarter-finals. His performances for both his club back in Brazil and at the World Cup drew the attention of European clubs. Mascherano initially expressed his desire to remain at Corinthians and help the club in their relegation battle. However, he soon made the move to West Ham United in the summer of 2006 alongside his Argentina team-mate Carlos Tevez, who also impressed at the World Cup in Germany. Mascherano had a brief spell with the Hammers until the beginning of 2007, leaving to join Liverpool where he featured in their 2007 Champions League final defeat by AC Milan. Mascherano then played for Barcelona from 2010, winning the Champions League twice and being part of squads that won La Liga on five occasions. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mesut Ozil moved to Real Madrid after reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2006 At the age of just 21, Mesut Ozil emerged as one of the world's most exciting young players after he helped Germany finish third at the 2010 World Cup. After registering four goals and four assists in seven games, Ozil was able to show off his quality and prove he was a standout performer. Big clubs took note, and by August 2010, Ozil switched Werder Bremen for Real Madrid, for a fee of about 15m euros (£12.4m). Copa del Rey, La Liga and Spanish Super Cup titles were to follow during his three year stay in Madrid, before becoming Arsenal's record signing for £42.4m in 2013. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, James Rodriguez's heroics for Colombia made him a standout player at the 2014 World Cup James Rodriguez became one of the stars of the 2014 World Cup, scoring six goals for Colombia and winning the Golden Boot after a memorable run to the quarter-finals. His excellent performances, including his famous volley against Uruguay, earned him a spot in Fifa's team of the tournament. The volley against Uruguay was later voted as the best goal in the tournament by more than four million people on Fifa's website and won the Fifa Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.

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Source: BBC Sport

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