Enzo Fernandez next? 11 players that earned a big move after shining at a major tournament

These days, the biggest football clubs have such extensive scouting and analytics departments that they’re unlikely to judge a player purely off some impressive performances in a summer international tournament.

But that wasn’t always the case, and in years gone by, certain players have burst onto the scene and made a name for themselves at a Euros or World Cup, earning a career-defining transfer off the back of those displays.

Enzo Fernandez is one of several players being linked with a big move in January after catching the eye at the World Cup. The 21-year-old midfielder was named Young Player of the Tournament at Qatar 2022, having played a key role in Argentina lifting the trophy.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid are just three of the clubs said to be following the youngster’s progress, while his performances for Benfica this season suggest he’s a lot more than a one tournament wonder.

We’ve taken a look at 11 players that made a move after lighting up the biggest international stage.

Marcelo Salas

Chilean legend Salas scored as many goals as Ronaldo Nazario at the 1998 World Cup, scoring three times in the group stage before adding a fourth with a consolation in a 4-1 round of 16 defeat to Brazil.

Any scout worth their salt should have been aware of the bagfuls of goals he scored in South America for Universidad de Chile and River Plate (Sir Alex Ferguson famously made a 14,000-mile round-trip to watch him), but it was the World Cup that put Salas on the map. Four days after Chile’s exit, he secured a move across the Atlantic, signing for Lazio.

He went on to score 49 goals in three seasons in the Italian capital, playing a major role as the Biancocelesti won a Serie A and Coppa Italia Double in 1999-00.

Hidetoshi Nakata

His distinctive flame-dyed hair helped Nakata stand out at the 1998 World Cup for Japan, even as they were eliminated with three defeats in the group stage.

But there was much more to the midfielder than just his style, as his career in Italy demonstrated. It all started with France 98, a €4million move to Perugia, before he called time on it early on his own terms. Icon.

READ: A celebration of Hidetoshi Nakata, Serie A cult hero and fashionista icon

Gilberto Silva

Nowadays the standout talents from South American club football move to Europe early in their careers, but two decades ago things were a bit different – a 25-year-old Gilberto Silva at Atletico Mineiro was a testament to that.

Having…