In football, players are often hailed as the “next big thing,” only to disappear from the spotlight as quickly as they arrived.
For various reasons—whether injuries, poor form, or bad career choices—their hype fizzles out, leaving us wondering what could have been. Here are 10 such players who were once on the path to greatness but have since faded into obscurity.
10. Kobby Mainoo (Manchester United)
We start with Kobby Mainoo, the teenage sensation who had an outstanding season with Manchester United and the English national youth team. While he’s shown immense potential as a midfielder, the hype around him has started to die down. Manchester United’s track record with nurturing young talents isn’t the greatest, so fans are cautiously optimistic about whether he can sustain his form and rise to the top.
9. Ravel Morrison (Retired)
Once rated higher than Paul Pogba during his time in Manchester United’s academy, Ravel Morrison was expected to become a world-class midfielder. However, his attitude issues led to him being shipped off to West Ham. From there, his career spiraled, with unsuccessful stints in Italy, Sweden, Mexico, and the United States. He never came close to fulfilling his enormous potential.
8. Bojan Krkić (Retired)
Dubbed the “next Messi” when he broke into Barcelona’s first team, Bojan Krkić carried the weight of massive expectations. He became the youngest player to ever feature for Barcelona, but after inconsistent performances, he was sold to AC Milan, then Roma, and Ajax, where he failed to make a significant impact. Bojan’s career eventually wound down with stints at Stoke City and in Japan with Andrés Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe.
7. Freddy Adu (Retired)
Once hailed as the “next Pelé,” Freddy Adu’s career is one of the most notorious examples of unfulfilled potential. Adu became the youngest American athlete at just 14 when he debuted for DC United, but he struggled to meet the lofty expectations set for him. After brief and unremarkable spells in Europe with Benfica and Monaco, Adu embarked on a journeyman career, playing for 15 clubs in 17 years.
6. Robinho (Retired)
Robinho was an exciting young player when Real Madrid signed him, and his future seemed bright. Manchester City famously hijacked Chelsea’s move for him in what was supposed to be a landmark transfer that kickstarted their rise to prominence. However, Robinho never lived up to expectations, scoring just 14 goals in 41 appearances. After leaving Europe, he bounced around clubs in Brazil, China, and Turkey, never again reaching the heights expected of him.
5. Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham)
Once touted as the future of Arsenal alongside Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe was given the No. 10 shirt at just 20 years old. However, a combination of injuries and stiff competition from players like Martinelli and Trossard on the left wing, as well as Ødegaard in the No. 10 role, saw his opportunities dwindle. He made only sporadic appearances off the bench last season before being sold to Fulham, where he’s now trying to revive his career.
4. Tariq Lamptey (Brighton)
Tariq Lamptey is another example of a young talent derailed by injuries. After breaking into Brighton’s first team during the 2021-22 season and showing attacking prowess at right-back, Lamptey became a transfer target for several top Premier League clubs. However, injuries severely hampered his progress, and in the last two seasons, he has managed only 39 appearances. Despite his return to fitness, he has struggled to regain his starting position.
3. Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)
Kaoru Mitoma was a breakout star for Brighton during the 2022-23 season, setting the record for the most goals scored by a Japanese player in a Premier League season. However, his rise was cut short by a season-ending injury earlier this year. He has only recently returned to the team and is still finding his way back into form. Injuries could potentially derail what once looked like a promising career.
2. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
At the top of the list is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who burst onto the scene with Napoli, dazzling fans with his pace, dribbling, and eye for goal. He was even linked to Manchester City at one point and was a key figure in Napoli’s infamous demolition of Liverpool in the Champions League. However, the hype surrounding the Georgian winger has significantly cooled in recent months. Despite this, Kvaratskhelia has had a decent start to the season, with 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 games, and could still rediscover his best form.
1. Ansu Fati (Barcelona/Brighton)
Ansu Fati was given Barcelona’s coveted No. 10 shirt after Lionel Messi’s departure—a huge honor for a player who was only 18 at the time. However, injuries have plagued his career, keeping him out of the team for long stretches. Even during a loan spell at Brighton last season, he struggled to impress, scoring just twice in 19 appearances. Now back at Barcelona, it remains to be seen if Fati can reclaim his early promise.
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