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The advent of social media has seen the hype around young players increase a lot, with various YouTube compilations already giving viewers an idea about the quality of a player.
Over the years, there have been several players who have been touted to become superstars of football, but for some reason or the other, that billing has turned out to be wrong. Injury issues and controversies off the field have resulted in certain players failing to live up to their potential.
This is the case in every sport, but in football, as clubs focus more and more on recruiting young talent, there is immense pressure to succeed from a very young age.
On that note, we look at 5 superstars who never lived up to their potential.
#5 Alexandre Pato
Highly rated during his Internacional days, Alexandre Pato earned a £21.6 million move to AC Milan in 2007 and was seen as the present and the future of the Italian club.
The Brazil international began well at AC Milan and scored 50 league goals in his first four seasons with the club. However, injury issues and off-the-field controversies saw a decline in Pato's form. During the Brazilian's last two seasons at the club, he made only 15 league appearances and scored a solitary goal in Serie A.
He returned to Brazil to play for Corinthians in 2013 and had a brief sojourn in Europe when he joined Chelsea on loan in 2016, followed by a season with Villarreal. The 31-year-old currently plays for Major League Soccer side Orlando City.
#4 Ricardo Quaresma
In the early 2000s, Sporting CP boasted two extremely talented young wingers in their academy in Ricardo Quaresma and Cristiano Ronaldo.
While Ronaldo has etched an incredible legacy for himself, the same cannot be said about Quaresma. Highly skillful, creative and full of tricks, Quaresma has enjoyed a good career at the top level, but there is a feeling that the Portuguese did not utilize his full potential for much of his career.
Quaresma struggled at clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea, with his best spell coming with Porto and Besiktas. The 37-year-old, who is currently playing for Vitoria Guimaraes, was part of the Portugal squad which won the Euros in 2016.
#3 Jack Wilshere
There is still awe when one looks back on Jack Wilshere's performance against Barcelona in the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League campaign.
Wilshere's performance that night made him a household name, with many touting the young midfielder as the future of England. A product of the Arsenal academy, such were Wilshere's consistent performances as a youngster that he was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2010-11 season.
However, the 29-year-old has been extremely unlucky with injuries. Arsenal released him in 2018, and the England international spent some time with West Ham United before joining EFL Championship side Bournemouth earlier this year. He was released by the club recently.
#2 Mario Balotelli
"Super Mario" has always been a mercurial figure. Controversy's favorite child, Mario Balotelli's immense talent has been overshadowed by his actions off the field.
The Italy international emerged as one of the best young players in the world during his spell with Inter Milan. Despite his good displays on the field, Balotelli was accused of disciplinary issues, an accusation that would be leveled at him throughout his career.
The 30-year-old represented some of the biggest clubs in the world like Manchester City, AC Milan and Liverpool, but struggled to get going due to various issues. Balotelli currently plays for Monza in the second division of Italy.
#1 Adriano
Regarded as one of the best strikers in the world for a short period of time, Adriano enjoyed his best football in Italy.
A complete forward, Adriano looked destined for the very top after a stunning spell with Parma in which he scored 23 league goals in just 37 appearances. He joined Inter Milan in 2004, where he made 115 league appearances and scored 47 goals for the Nerazzurri.
However, Adriano's decline was evident during his Inter Milan spell, especially after some tragic personal news. Questions were raised over his discipline and work ethic, while there was a clear lack of fitness.
The Brazil international eventually left Inter Milan to join Flamengo on a permanent deal in 2009 but failed to recapture the form that catapulted him to glory. The 39-year-old retired in 2016.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for Brazil | Copa America 2021
