When the MSV Duisburg Pavel Nedved went through the rags

Pavel Nedved was one of the best midfielders of his time. Before his world career he almost ended up in Germany.

There are a multitude of near-transfers that could have had a decisive influence on the career progress of some world stars at a young age.

Brazil icon Kaka, for example, was about to switch to Bayern at the beginning of his career, compatriot Ronaldo – for many the best attacker of all time – was not worth four million euros to VfB Stuttgart at the age of 17 or striker legend Andriy Shevchenko was from a person in charge of 1. FC Köln described it as too exotic despite the bargain price.

Another name in this illustrious circle is the 91-time Czech national player Pavel Nedved. He wasn’t missing much either and fans in German football stadiums would have enjoyed his skills.

Nedved: Strong EM is MSV’s undoing

In 1996, MSV Duisburg was in advanced negotiations with the blond boy from Sparta Prague. But shortly before the end of the transfer, Nedved put the MSV off with his signature until after the upcoming European championship in the summer.

Then it came as it had to come. Nedved played big at the European Championships, made it to the final with the Czech Republic and only lost there after the Golden Goal against Germany. Due to his achievements, Duisburg got well-known competition from Nedved and ultimately could not call an offer from Lazio Rome for the equivalent of 3.5 million euros.

As a result, the now 48-year-old moved to the Eternal City, where, in addition to the European Cup Winners’ Cup, he also won a championship and twice the Coppa Italia. Financially, Nedved was also a stroke of luck for the Biancocelesti. When Nedved later moved to Juventus Turin, the whopping transfer fee of 45 million euros was received.

In Turin, the midfielder finally became a world star. In 2003 he even won the Ballon d’Or. By the end of his career in 2009, he had played 327 games for the old lady, in which he scored 65 goals and 59 assists. Even after Juve’s forced relegation in 2006, he remained loyal to the club – today he is Vice President of the Bianconeri.

Pavel Nedved in a profile