5 star footballers who were rejected as youngsters

#5 Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann has become one of the best players on the planet

It’s a common reason behind plenty of big stars’ rejection, but it can’t have made it any easier for Antoine Griezmann to stomach the notion that he was turned away as a young lad for being too small.

It’s poetic justice, perhaps, that he has since turned that chink in his armour into one of his biggest strengths as he has become one of the most exciting and skilful midfielders on the planet, rubbing shoulders with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at Ballon d’Or ceremonies.

Two big clubs in the shape of Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais opted not to take him on due to his lack of height, and it took Spanish outfit Real Sociedad to take a punt on bringing him aboard where he made 200 appearances.

Los Colchoneros eventually forked out 30 million quid to capture his services, but it has proved to be worth it so far given his unbelievable performances for them in the UEFA Champions League and La Liga to date.