There have always been players that have remained loyal to one club. In some eras, there have been more than others, but there continue to be footballers that join the "chosen club."
However, it's true that the 'one-club man' is a rare species in the current day. The romanticism for the colours and the badge has been lost slightly. Money is the main reason for the erosion of the relationship between players and their clubs.
A one-club man is someone who has spent their entire professional career at the same side. The best player in the world. Barcelona's Lionel Messi, is in the club, although he didn't take his first steps at Barça.
Messi joined the Catalan club from Newell's Old Boys, where he started as a kid, at the age of 13 in 2000. Since then, he's developed along with an idea of the game.
In every contract signed by Messi in this period, in addition to the financial factor, the emotional factor has played a big part. The Argentine has always valued -- and continues to do so -- that Barça bet on him when he was a teenager and funded hormone treatment.
Gestures like Messi's are not common in the game these days. You don't just find elite players that can boast of 16 years uninterrupted in the same team. The Rosario-born forward started in the 2004-05 season, under Frank Rijkaard, and is still active today -- with years ahead of him.
In addition, not many remain the star of the show. At nearly 33, Messi is still the leadfer of the team and his numbers are remarkable. This season, he's the top scorer (25) and assister (16).
Messi's great triumph has been his consistency and his effectivity. Season after season he has maintained his form in a spectacular fashion: goals, assists, trophies and a number of records. Messi's numbers are crazy: 718 games (636 as a starter), 627 goals, 248 assists, 505 wins, 48 hat-tricks, 34 trophies...
The great unknown is what Messi will do in the future. The near future, especially. Even though his contract expires in 2021, in his last renewal (in 2018), he added a clause that would allow him to leave in 2020. It was to allow him an escape clause if he continues to be targetted by the tax office. The only time he thought about leaving Camp Nou was because of the persecution he suffered in 2014.
In the case that he continues with FC Barcelona through a lifetime contract -- which is being explored -- among the unknowns are how long can Messi continue. Until he's 35? 36? 37?
The Barça captain, despite the passing of times, shows week after week that he's indispensable and knows how to manage himself to make the differences. He could arrive at 20 top-flight seasons easily, maybe more. In any case, while he's still enjoying himself on the pitch, Messi's light will continue to shine.
He's unlikely to match Paolo Maldini's longevity in Milan. The defender spent 25 seasons in the first team, from 1984-85 to 2008-09, and played 902 matches, winning 26 trophies. He had joined the club at 10 and retired at 41, overtaking his father, Cesare, as Milan's biggest legend.
It will also be impossible to match Francesco Totti. ‘Il Capitano’ also spent 25 years at the top level, with Roma, from 1992-93 until 2016-17. Other top players to mark an era include Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Billy McNeill (Celtic), Javier Zanetti (Inter)...