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Top football stars now available for free
Published : Friday, 4 September, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Observer Online Report
Symbolic Photo
Several high-profile footballers who once commanded huge transfer fees are now without clubs and available as free agents.
Among the biggest names is Karim Benzema. The 38-year-old French striker enjoyed a legendary career at Real Madrid, scoring 354 goals in 648 appearances and winning five Champions League titles and the 2022 Ballon d’Or. After leaving Saudi clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, Benzema is currently without a club.
Another veteran, Sergio Ramos, 40, is also looking for a new destination after leaving Mexican club Monterrey. The Spanish defender enjoyed an illustrious career with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla.
Riyad Mahrez, 35, is another notable free agent. A key figure in Leicester City’s historic 2016 Premier League triumph, Mahrez later won four Premier League titles with Manchester City before moving to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in 2023.
Former Leicester star Jamie Vardy, 39, is also without a club after leaving Italian side Cremonese. Meanwhile, Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, once signed by Barcelona for around €160 million from Liverpool, has also become a free agent after years of injuries and inconsistent form.
At just 26, Jadon Sancho is perhaps the most surprising name on the list. Manchester United paid around €85 million to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, but the winger struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford and is now without a club.
World Cup Stars Without Clubs
James Rodriguez is another striking example. The Colombian won the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot and joined Real Madrid for around €75 million after a sensational tournament. Despite recently leading Colombia at the 2026 World Cup, Rodriguez is now a free agent after leaving Minnesota United.
Austria captain David Alaba, who also played at the 2026 World Cup, is without a club as injuries and fitness issues continue to affect his career.
Pogba and Sterling Also Searching
Former world-record signing Paul Pogba, 33, is also currently a free agent. After returning to Manchester United from Juventus for €105 million in 2016, his career was disrupted by injuries, inconsistent form and an 18-month doping ban following an appeal.
Raheem Sterling, 31, has also seen his career decline in recent years. The former Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal winger spent last season on loan at Feyenoord, making just eight appearances, and is now without a club.
Other familiar names on the free-agent list include Georginio Wijnaldum, Wilfried Zaha, Anthony Martial, Dele Alli, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ismaël Bennacer, Tyrell Malacia and Conor Coady.
Once among the most sought-after players in world football, many of these stars are now waiting for clubs to make offers with no transfer fee required.
-HIS
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
