In 2016, Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, identified ten emerging talents, or “wonderkids,” whom he believed were destined to become superstars in the sport. At the time, Messi’s list garnered significant attention, with many assuming that his unparalleled football insight would make him a reliable judge of future stars. After all, who better than the man with the most Ballon d’Or awards to spot the next generation of elite players? However, fast forward eight years, and the career trajectories of many on that list haven’t panned out as expected. Astonishingly, three of those highly-touted players are now free agents, left without clubs despite their early promise.
Gabriel Boschilia was one of the standout names on Messi list. The Brazilian midfielder had recently signed a five-year contract with AS Monaco, fueling expectations that he would soon become a key player for the French side. During his time there, Boschilia made 26 appearances, including loan spells with Belgium’s Standard Liege and France’s FC Nantes. Despite the early buzz around his potential, his career has taken a downturn. After a move to Internacional in the Brazilian Série A and a subsequent switch to Coritiba, Boschilia has been without a club since 2023. His journey illustrates the unpredictability of football careers, where early promise doesn’t always translate to sustained success.
Patrick Roberts, once considered a bright prospect in English football, also made Messi’s list as a player to watch. Roberts began his career at Manchester City but struggled to break into the first team. Instead, he was sent on a long-term loan to Celtic, where he enjoyed a solid spell in the Scottish Premiership. Despite this promising period, his career post-City has been characterized by numerous loan moves, including stints at Girona, Norwich City, and Derby County. In 2022, he found more stability by signing with Sunderland, first on a short-term deal before making the move permanent later that year. While he remains a professional footballer, his career has fallen far short of the lofty expectations many had when Messi included him in his list of future stars.
Nadazdha Karpova, a player who Messi saw great potential in while she was playing for Chertanovo Moscow, followed a different trajectory. After impressing in Russia, Karpova moved to Spain, joining Valencia in Liga F. Her career then took her to RCD Espanyol Femeni, where she contributed to the club’s promotion to the top tier. While she has not reached the superstar status Messi might have envisioned, Karpova continues to carve out a solid career in women’s football.
Chanathip Songkrasin, known as “Jay,” was a more unconventional pick on Messi’s list, as Thai players rarely feature in global football discussions. At the time, Songkrasin was on loan with Muangthong United, and his performances were already attracting international attention. Since then, he has gone on to represent J1 League sides Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Kawasaki Frontale, later returning to Thailand to play for BG Pathum United. With 66 caps and 12 goals for the Thailand national team, Songkrasin has had a respectable career, though not one that has elevated him to global stardom.
Lionel Messi 2016 Future Stars: The Unexpected Paths of Football’s Next Generation
Kasper Dolberg is arguably the most successful player from Messi’s 2016 list. The Danish forward was with Ajax when he was tipped for greatness and has since enjoyed a steady career in Europe. Dolberg moved to Ligue 1 side Nice in 2019 and later embarked on loan spells at Sevilla and Hoffenheim. Most recently, he signed for Belgian club Anderlecht in 2023. His consistent presence in top European leagues and involvement in Denmark’s national team, including at Euro 2024, where his country reached the round of 16, indicates that while he may not have reached the very pinnacle, he has still had a solid career.
On the flip side, the trajectory of Jean-Kevin Augustin’s career serves as a cautionary tale. Once a promising striker for Paris Saint-Germain, Augustin left the club in 2017 for RB Leipzig. After some initial promise, including loan spells at AS Monaco and Leeds United, his career began to decline. He signed for Nantes but ended up playing for the club’s B team before being released. A brief stint with FC Basel ended poorly as well, with his contract being terminated by mutual consent, leaving Augustin without a club.
Alex Muyl was another player who Messi believed had the potential to rise to the top. The New York-born midfielder broke into the New York Red Bulls’ first team and later moved to Nashville SC. While Muyl remains a professional player in Major League Soccer, he never achieved the kind of global recognition one might expect from a player tipped by Messi.
Kekuta Manneh’s career has seen him move between various clubs and leagues without ever truly establishing himself as a top-tier player. Initially with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Manneh had spells in Mexico, Switzerland, and multiple MLS teams. Despite once being linked with Premier League clubs, he remains a free agent today, having most recently played for Pacific FC in Canada.
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