Let’s take a look at some of the promising football talents that have failed to reach their expected heights.
Italian newspaper Tuttosport hands out the Golden Boy award to each calendar year’s best under-21 player.
Some of the greatest football legends have won the award since its inception in 2003. But there have been others who have not managed to activate their full potential later in their careers.
Let’s have a look at the Golden Boy winners with the most underwhelming careers.
5- Mario Gotze
Gotze won the award in 2011 after emerging as an exceptional talent at Borussia Dortmund.
Having broken through the club’s academy ranks, Gotze scored six goals and provided 15 assists in his 33 Bundesliga appearances for the Black and Yellows during the 2010-11 season.
A 2013 move to Bayern Munich and several injury setbacks reduced Gotze’s game time when he was trying to establish himself as a fully-fledged senior player.
He still managed to score a career-defining goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final. However, the Mannschaft star never managed to activate his full potential at Allianz Arena.
After an unsuccessful transfer back to Dortmund, Gotze moved to PSV in October 2020. The 30-year-old scored four goals for the Eindhoven side during their 2021-22 Eredivisie campaign.
4- Mario Balotelli
Balotelli won the Golden Boy award in 2010 after spending a breakthrough season full of controversies at Inter.
The Italian striker made 26 Serie A appearances for Inter, scoring nine goals and providing six assists. His performances caught the attention of several Premier League sides while his relationship with the Italian giants kept deteriorating.
The Italy international threw his Inter shirt on the ground after fans booed him for his performance on 20 April 2010. It was an odd event that ended Balotelli’s time at San Siro. But that was only the beginning of the striker’s long list of controversies.
Balotelli moved to Manchester City at the beginning of the 2010-11 season, winning the Golden Boy award while playing for the Citizens.
In his famous interview after winning the award, the former City striker said he didn’t know Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, his close contender to win the award.
After spells at Milan, Liverpool, Nice, Marseille, Brescia, and Monza, Balotelli has joined Turkish side Adana Demirspor since last summer.
3- Anothony Martial
Not many Manchester United fans had heard about Martial when the club decided to pay £36 million to sign him in September 2015.
In the previous season, the Frenchman had made 35 appearances for Monaco, scoring nine goals. However, Martial’s incredible potential was evident in his first performances for the Red Devils.
He became a fan favourite by scoring against Liverpool in his United debut. However, the Frenchman has never managed to maintain consistency with his performances.
In his 269 appearances for the Red Devils, Martial has scored 79 goals. The French forward is currently on a two-year loan deal at Sevilla.
Let’s see if he can revive his United career upon returning to Old Trafford.
2- Alexandre Pato
Pato emerged as a sensational talent back when he was playing for Brazilian side Internacional.
He joined the club’s U21 side when he was only 16, but managed to play a key role in their league-winning campaign. That season, Pato became the Brazilian U21 league’s top scorer, establishing himself as a promising forward.
Pato made his senior debut for Internacional in the same year, scoring and providing two assists against Sao Paulo. He went on to win the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup with Internacional, becoming the youngest-ever player to score at a senior men’s FIFA tournament.
A €24 million move to European champions AC Milan in August 2007 kick-started Pato’s career in Serie A. He started off strong at San Siro, scoring nine goals in his 18 appearances for the Rossoneri.
However, a string of injury setbacks and off-field distractions prevented Pato from continuing his development at Milan. After spending spells at several other European and South American sides, the Brazilian forward joined MLS side Orlando City in February 2021.
1- Anderson
Another Brazilian wonderkid, Anderson rose to prominence after securing a move to FC Porto from Gremio.
The midfielder displayed incredible performances for the Portuguese giants during the 2006-07 season. Sir Alex Ferguson signed Anderson for United in the following summer, giving him a golden opportunity to prove himself at United.
However, injuries hampered Anderson’s development at the beginning of his United career. He remained at the club until February 2015, scoring seven goals and providing 21 assists in his 180 appearances for the Red Devils.
Following moves to Coritiba, Internacional, and Adana Demirspor, the former Golden Boy retired from football in September 2019.
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