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People widely regarded the footballers on this list as some of the best in the world. However, they have all been rejected by clubs in their youth days.
Despite rejections early in their careers, these footballers have made their mark in the game and are now some of the best-known athletes in the world.
Young footballers often switch academies for personal reasons or club rejections. Some talented footballers have been rejected by multiple clubs, but have overcome the setback to rise to the top.
In this article, we look at five great footballers who were rejected by clubs as youngsters.
#5 Antoine Griezmann - Lyon
Regarded as one of the best forwards in the world, Antoine Griezmann's journey to the top has been unorthodox.
Born in France, Griezmann was a boyhood Lyon supporter. The Frenchman was turned down by multiple clubs as a youngster, including Lyon. Griezmann eventually earned a trial with La Liga side Real Sociedad.
"For me, Lyon has been my club since I was a kid. I used to come to see all the Champions League matches here with my father. Seen from Spain, Lyon are a club that counts, a historic club." Griezmann on Lyon.
Griezmann rose through the Real Sociedad ranks and made 202 appearances in all competitions for the club. However, it was at Atletico Madrid where he became one of the best in the world, scoring 133 goals in 257 appearances across all competitions.
The 30-year-old joined Barcelona in 2019 for a fee of £108 million. He has made 97 appearances in all competitions for the club so far, scoring 34 goals and winning a Copa del Rey trophy.
#4 Harry Kane - Arsenal
Without Harry Kane's consistent performances, it is difficult to imagine where Tottenham Hotspur would be this season.
Things could have played out very differently for the north London club. Kane was part of Arsenal's academy for just one season and was released in 2002. After a stint with the Watford academy, Kane joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2004.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke about Harry Kane's exit from his team's academy:
"I didn’t know, I read it in the papers. found it quite funny, you know, and you are always a bit angry as well because I asked: ‘Why did he go?’ But at that age, boys can move here and there."
Kane has made 333 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham Hotspur, scoring an astounding 219 goals. The England international is the leading goalscorer and top assist-provider in the Premier League this season.
Pundits have suggested a move away from Spurs for Harry Kane. Despite incredible performances, Harry Kane has yet to win a trophy with Tottenham. The 27-year-old has been linked with Manchester United and Manchester City, although it is unlikely that Tottenham Hotspur would allow their talisman to join a domestic rival.
Also Read: 10 highest-paid athletes in the world (2021)
#3 Kylian Mbappe - Chelsea
Kylian Mbappe has already achieved a lot in football despite being only 22 years of age.
A highly-rated talent as a youngster, Mbappe spent some time with Premier League side Chelsea. The forward was linked with some of the biggest clubs in the world, but Chelsea were apparently not convinced by Mbappe.
Serge Daniel Boga, who worked with Chelsea as a scout, has admitted that Chelsea were not impressed with the forward's defensive qualities.
Speaking about Mbappe's Chelsea trial, Boga said:
"He took a trial and didn't end up convincing us because he didn't offer enough defensively. So, they asked his mother if he could come back for a second trial and she said no."
Chelsea's loss turned out to be AS Monaco's gain. The French international enjoyed a stellar 2016-17 campaign with AS Monaco and earned a move to Paris Saint-Germain for an eye-watering fee of £130.5 million.
Now regarded as one of the best players in world football, Mbappe could have made Chelsea a perennial challenger for the Premier League.
#2 Ronaldo Nazario - Flamengo
Ronaldo Nazario needs little introduction. The Brazilian revolutionized the striker position with his phenomenal performances and paved the way for future superstars.
While Ronaldo's stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid are well known, it is easy to forget that the striker began his footballing journey with Cruzeiro in Brazil. Before joining Cruzeiro, though, Ronaldo was rejected by Flamengo, the club he supported as a boy.
Ronaldo shrugged his rejection aside and made his name in Europe with sublime performances for Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven. He spent a solitary but spectacular season with Barcelona, and his spell with Real Madrid has been well-documented. He made 177 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos and scored 104 goals.
The Brazilian international was not lucky with injuries, though. There have been multiple discussions about the level Ronaldo could have reached had he not been so injury-prone.
#1 Lionel Messi - River Plate
Arguably the greatest footballer to have played the game, Lionel Messi's achievements and individual records speak for themselves.
As a youngster, Messi was a fan of River Plate midfielder Pablo Aimar. He was sent on trial with River Plate, stunning everyone with his quality and overall performance.
It remains unclear why River Plate turned him down, but there have been suggestions that they were unwilling to spend money on Messi's growth hormone treatment. In an interview with Goal, River Plate's former youth coach Eduardo Abrahamian admitted he wanted to sign Messi at all costs.
Speaking about Messi, Abrahamian said:
"I wanted him to come. You can't lose out on a player like Messi. I told them that he was a player with great qualities. They told me we already had some of those and that he wanted to go home... so go and convince him to come back!"
Messi joined Barcelona in 2004, and the rest is history. He is now regarded as Barcelona's greatest ever player, and Abrahamian admits that River Plate should have signed him when they had the opportunity.
Also Read: 4 reasons why Lionel Messi could never win the Ballon d'Or again
