'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Development is not linear in football. Some players tend to excel during their younger years, while others are late bloomers.
Jamie Vardy is an example of the latter case. There are certain players who tend to peak too early in their footballing careers, and as a result, are unable to maintain that form. This may be due to various reasons, including injuries and burnout.
We look at 5 players who peaked too early in their professional football careers.
#5 Anderson
Anderson was supposed to be the next big Brazilian talent during his days with Gremio and Porto.
He became a global name after he moved to Manchester United in 2007 from the Portuguese giants for £28.3 million. This was seen as a steep price for an inexperienced young player, but Anderson's talent was never in question. However, he had only made limited appearances for Porto the season prior to his big move.
The Brazil international made 181 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United. Most of his appearances came during his initial seasons with the club. Anderson won four Premier League titles with the Old Trafford outfit, but the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson affected his minutes. After spells with Fiorentina, Internacional and Adana Demirspor, the 33-year-old retired in 2020.
#4 Ricardo Quaresma
Ricardo Quaresma, alongside a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, were seen as the future of Portuguese football during their time at Sporting CP.
Both players have enjoyed good careers, in their own way. Quaresma has always been a mercurial figure, renowned for his flair and technical ability. He is not the most consistent of performers, but is capable of producing a moment of magic as and when he decided to do so.
The Portugal international was part of the Portugal side which won the Euros in 2016. Quaresma and Ronaldo's careers may not look similar, but the former has done well for himself. The 37-yea-old's disappointing stints with Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea have been counteracted by good spells with Porto and Besiktas. Quaresma currently plays for Vitoria Guimaraes.
Also Read: 5 best midfield partnerships in the Premier League (2021)
#3 Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli is by no means an unknown name to the football fans. However, the striker is mostly remembered for his controversial moments rather than his talent.
Balotelli was regarded as a prodigious forward during his days with Inter Milan. The Italy international produced some excellent performances as a young star for the club, but made headlines due to his antics off the field. He signed for Manchester City in 2010.
Controversy has followed Balotelli to every club. The 31-year-old never truly established himself at club level, representing the likes of AC Milan, Liverpool, Nice and Marseille. Balotelli's talent has never been in question, but it would be fair to say that he has not done as well as many would have hoped. He currently plays for Adana Demirspor.
#2 Robinho
Robinho has 100 caps for the Brazil national team, so on paper he has done well and enjoyed a good career.
However, much more was expected of him. The Brazilian made waves at Santos with his performances, so much so that Real Madrid decided to sign him in 2005. Robinho did fairly well in Spain, making more than 100 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos and winning two La Liga titles.
A £38.7 million move to Manchester City followed in 2008, and Robinho's career slowed down after that. The attacker failed to impress in England and spent some time in Italy with AC Milan. After spells in China, Brazil and Turkey, the 37-year-old retired in 2020.
#1 Michael Owen
Michael Owen spent much of his playing career representing Liverpool, where he also enjoyed most of his success as a player.
Owen was Liverpool's primary star from a very young age. Technically gifted, fast and with good finishing ability, Owen was a regular goalscorer for his boyhood club. However, the England international was utilised extremely consistently from the very beginning. This might have caused the various injury issues he suffered during the latter stages of his career.
Owen won the Ballon d'Or in 2001 for his performances. He represented Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City following his Liverpool spell. He failed to replicate his Liverpool form at any of those clubs and retired in 2013.
Also Read: 5 forwards who make the most intelligent runs in football right now
