When the Chinese Super League began its wave of high-profile spending from the winter transfer window onward, it shocked the global football scene. Lavish contracts pulled stars from Europe, from household names like Oscar and Hulk to even top forwards such as Diego Costa and Alexis Sánchez. The spectacle gave an impression that power in world football might be shifting. Fans tracking these developments through platforms like the Crickex App could clearly see how money reshaped the market. Yet history reminds us that sudden bursts of wealth often fade, leaving behind only memories.

A telling example comes from Málaga. The Spanish club, once struggling financially, was taken over by Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani of the Qatari royal family. With his backing, a complete overhaul began. High-level executives were replaced, and Manuel Pellegrini was appointed as head coach. Star players followed — Julio Baptista, Martín Demichelis, Jérémy Toulalan, Joaquín, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Isco, Nacho Monreal, and most notably Santi Cazorla for a record €21 million. Under Pellegrini, Málaga finished fourth in La Liga, qualifying for the Champions League for the very first time.

In the Champions League, they surprised Europe by advancing unbeaten from a group that included AC Milan, Anderlecht, and Zenit St. Petersburg. They eliminated Porto in the round of 16 and pushed Borussia Dortmund to the brink in the quarterfinals. Only a dramatic stoppage-time collapse — two goals in three minutes, one of which was offside — denied them a historic semifinal. Afterward, Al Thani fumed on Twitter, accusing UEFA of unfairness and even racial discrimination. That bitter night marked Málaga’s peak, as financial penalties soon followed. UEFA banned them from European competitions for four seasons, a sanction later reduced but still devastating. With local government disputes and stalled stadium projects adding to the strain, Al Thani pulled his investment. Málaga faded, a cautionary tale of fast-burning ambition.

Yet when fans think of wealthy clubs that rose and fell quickly, Anzhi Makhachkala is often the first name that comes to mind. Bankrolled by Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, Anzhi launched an audacious project in the summer. He pledged over \$200 million for a new 40,000-seat stadium to meet UEFA standards and stunned the world by signing Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos as their first major star. Soon after, they added Hungarian winger Balázs Dzsudzsák, Russian international Yuri Zhirkov, and then pulled off the sensational signing of Samuel Eto’o. At 30, the Cameroonian striker arrived for a €28 million fee and a world-record salary of €20.5 million net per year.

Kerimov then hired the experienced Guus Hiddink as manager, and during the winter window, they made another bold move, paying €35 million for Shakhtar Donetsk’s rising star Willian. Anzhi suddenly looked like a powerhouse, with ambitions to rival Europe’s elite. For fans following global football alongside updates on the Crickex App, the story was almost unbelievable — a Russian club challenging giants with both cash and vision.

But just as quickly as it began, the dream crumbled. Half a season later, Kerimov reversed course, announcing drastic budget cuts — reducing spending by two-thirds. Star players were put up for sale. Willian lasted only half a season before moving to Chelsea, followed by Eto’o on a reduced salary. The squad fell apart, results collapsed, and Anzhi finished bottom of the Russian Premier League, relegated within a year. Though they returned the next season, they barely avoided another drop. Eventually, Kerimov sold the club entirely, leaving Anzhi stripped of its grand ambitions.

What remains of Anzhi is the memory of a bold experiment that lit up football headlines but vanished as quickly as it appeared. Like Málaga before them, they show that money can buy headlines and short-term glory but not always stability or legacy. For today’s fans, especially those who track matches and news through the Crickex App, Anzhi’s story is a reminder that in both football and life, easy come, easy go. Dreams built on fleeting wealth may shine brightly, but often only for a moment before fading into history.