From Lookman to Dembele: When Players Disappear Without Trace to Force Transfers

From Tevez's flight to Argentina to Lookman's recent disappearance, the world of football has seen its share of players vanishing without a trace. These disappearances leave clubs and fans in suspense and create dramatic sagas.

Ademola Lookman’s mysterious disappearance from Atalanta’s training ground has reignited a peculiar yet familiar phenomenon in modern football — players who simply vanish without warning, effectively forcing transfers or rebelling against situations they find unbearable.

Lookman stands as the latest name on a long list of so-called “desaparecidos” — players who have chosen silence and absence over confrontation. This list reads like a who’s who of football controversy, including the likes of Carlos Tevez, Ronaldinho, Nicolas Anelka, and Mauro Icardi. Their reasons may differ — protest, financial motives, personality clashes — but the act of disappearing remains equally dramatic.

Let’s explore some of the most sensational cases of footballers who went off the radar in the most jaw-dropping ways.

Tevez’s Flight to Argentina

One of the most infamous retreats in English football history belongs to Carlos Tevez. In 2011, after refusing to come off the bench during a crucial Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, Tevez found himself publicly accused by then-manager Roberto Mancini. Suspended and under heavy scrutiny, he took the most drastic step — boarding a plane to Argentina and staying there for a staggering five months without permission or explanation. The silence was deafening, fines were meted out, and only a reluctant return marked the end of this self-imposed exile. The relationship between player and club was irrevocably strained.

Lookman and the Atalanta-Inter Saga

Fresh off heroics that helped Atalanta lift the Europa League trophy, Ademola Lookman has seemingly vanished without a trace. Reports suggest he feels deeply betrayed by Atalanta, which promised him a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer — a move that never materialized. Frustrated and determined, Lookman now has his sights set on Inter Milan and appears to be attempting to force their hand. While the Nerazzurri monitor the situation closely and Atalanta takes a firm stance, Lookman has simply disappeared, leaving both clubs and fans in suspense.

Icardi, Wanda, and the Lost Captaincy Drama

Mauro Icardi’s saga at Inter Milan is one of the most media-splashed cases of a player “disappearing” amid contract battles and personal fallout. After the club stripped him of the captain’s armband in 2019, partly due to contract renewal disputes and controversial social media posts linked to his wife and agent, Wanda Nara, Icardi stopped training and skipped several matches. He vanished for weeks, returning briefly to score but with the inevitable farewell looming. That summer, he left for PSG — a farewell marked as much by silence as by headlines.

Anelka’s Vanishing Act at Real Madrid

Nicolas Anelka’s stint at Real Madrid was plagued by frustration and isolation. Signed in 1999 for a then-record fee, he struggled to find his feet, spiraling into depression amidst frosty relations with teammates. Then, suddenly, he disappeared — skipping ten days of training without word or warning. The club fined him, but upon his return, Anelka scored two crucial Champions League goals before eventually being sold. His story is a poignant mix of unfulfilled promise, loneliness, and miscommunication.

Dembélé’s Escape from Dortmund to Barcelona

In 2017, Ousmane Dembélé orchestrated his own vanishing act to force a move from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona. He skipped two weeks of training and quietly returned to France, waiting for Barcelona’s call. The transfer went through, but this rocky start foreshadowed a turbulent career marked by injuries and inconsistency. For Dembélé, the initial disappearance shaped the narrative that has followed him ever since.

Ronaldinho: From Samba Nights to Legal Battles

After his time at AC Milan, Ronaldinho returned to Brazil with Flamengo, where things suddenly turned chaotic. The magic on the pitch contrasted sharply with disciplinary issues off it. More often found in nightclubs than training sessions, Ronaldinho eventually disappeared altogether, following a dispute over unpaid wages. No one knew his whereabouts for a time until he resurfaced at Atletico Mineiro, proving that behind the flair, there was also a tumultuous personal journey.

Niang’s Whims and Milanello Disruptions

In 2017, M’Baye Niang’s frustration boiled over when his desired move to the Premier League stalled, and he reluctantly joined Torino instead of Milan. Showing up sporadically for training, he frustrated coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who publicly criticized his attitude, calling him a “spoiled boy.” The turbulent relationship ended badly, cementing Niang’s reputation for unpredictability.

Diego Costa and the "Text Message" Fallout

When Antonio Conte told Diego Costa — via text message — that he was no longer in his plans at Chelsea, the striker’s reaction was extreme. Instead of confronting the situation head-on, Costa disappeared. He stayed in Brazil for several months, accusing Chelsea of bullying and refusing to return until the conflict was resolved. Eventually, the standoff ended with Costa’s return to Atletico Madrid but remains a classic example of conflict exacerbated by silence.

Giampaolo’s "Dignified" Silence

Not just players vanish — managers do too. Marco Giampaolo’s disappearance after a row with Brescia fans in 2013 stands out. He resigned unexpectedly and went dark: no calls, no messages, disconnected phones. It was his brother who finally broke the silence, explaining that Giampaolo simply refused to "account" to the fans, citing a matter of personal dignity.