In football, a player’s return to their old club is often a story filled with emotion, nostalgia, and expectation. Ilkay Gundogan’s recent return to Manchester City is the perfect example of this – whether driven by a sense of unfinished business, a desire to give back to the club that made them, or simply the lure of home, some of the biggest names in football have made the journey back to their roots after stints elsewhere. Here’s a look at an all-time XI of such players, arranged in a classic 4-4-2 formation.
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Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Parma)
Gianluigi Buffon is one of football’s most legendary goalkeepers. After starting his career at Parma, where he won the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia, Buffon moved to Juventus, becoming an icon over 17 years. In 2019, after a year at Paris Saint-Germain, Buffon made a sensational return to Juventus. However, in 2021, he took it further by going back to where it all began—Parma—now in Serie B, showing loyalty to the club that gave him his start.
Right-Back: Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Dani Alves is widely regarded as one of the greatest right-backs in history. His first spell at Barcelona from 2008 to 2016 was filled with trophies, including six La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns. After spells at Juventus, PSG, and São Paulo, Alves returned to Barcelona in 2021, at the age of 38, to offer his experience and leadership to a struggling team.
Centre-Back: Thiago Silva (Fluminense)
Thiago Silva is one of the most respected defenders of his generation. After a successful career in Europe, including a standout stint at Paris Saint-Germain and a key role in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2021, Silva returned to his boyhood club Fluminense in 2024. His homecoming was celebrated by fans, as Silva brought his experience and class back to the Brazilian club where his journey to stardom began.
Centre-Back: Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
Mats Hummels first made his mark at Borussia Dortmund before moving to Bayern Munich in 2016. However, in 2019, Hummels returned to Dortmund, bringing with him a wealth of experience and tactical knowledge. His second stint at Dortmund has solidified his reputation as one of the Bundesliga’s top defenders.
Left-Back: Marcelo (Fluminense)
Marcelo is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs of his generation. After joining Real Madrid from Fluminense in 2007, Marcelo won five Champions League titles and six La Liga titles, among other honours. In 2022, after leaving Real Madrid, Marcelo returned to his roots at Fluminense. Though not as high-profile as his time in Europe, his return to Brazil was a homecoming that resonated deeply with fans.
Right Midfield: Arjen Robben (Groningen)
Arjen Robben is synonymous with cutting in from the right and unleashing unstoppable left-footed shots. After a glittering career that included spells at Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, Robben retired in 2019. However, the itch to play saw him return to his boyhood club, Groningen, in 2020, a move that endeared him even more to fans worldwide.
Central Midfield: Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Paul Pogba’s return to Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world record fee was one of the biggest transfers in football history. After leaving United for Juventus in 2012, Pogba developed into one of the best midfielders in the world. His return to Old Trafford was highly anticipated, though his second stint was a rollercoaster of form and injuries.
Central Midfield: Cesc Fàbregas (Barcelona)
Cesc Fàbregas left Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy as a teenager to join Arsenal, where he blossomed into one of the Premier League’s finest playmakers. In 2011, after years of speculation, Fàbregas returned to Barcelona, winning La Liga and other major honours before eventually returning to England with Chelsea.
Left Midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United in 2021 was a seismic event in world football. After leaving United for Real Madrid in 2009 and then moving to Juventus, Ronaldo’s comeback to Old Trafford was seen as a full-circle moment. His second spell may not have matched the heights of his first, but his impact was undeniable.
Striker: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Thierry Henry is an Arsenal legend, having scored goals at a prolific rate during his first spell at the club. After leaving for Barcelona and then MLS side New York Red Bulls, Henry returned to Arsenal on loan in 2012. Though brief, his return was memorable, capped by a winning goal against Leeds United in the FA Cup.
Striker: Carlos Tevez (Boca Juniors)
Carlos Tevez’s career has seen him play for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Manchester City, and Juventus. However, his connection with Boca Juniors, where he began his career, remained strong. Tevez returned to Boca in 2015 after a decade in Europe and China, and again in 2018, helping them win domestic titles and endearing himself further to the Boca faithful.
Honourable Mentions
1. Wayne Rooney (Everton)
2. Fernando Torres (Atlético Madrid)
3. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
4. Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
5. Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund)
6. Nemanja Mati? (Chelsea)
7. Juninho Pernambucano (Vasco da Gama)
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