New Delhi: Fans from around the world from every generation have witnessed a few players that once showed their unbelievable talent, skillset and ability on the pitch, only to completely disappear from the scene after a few years. These players managed to build their foundations and go on to become a massive prospect for their sides during their prime, and went on to win a numerous trophies, score and assist, and eventually become great assets for their respective clubs. Many consider these players to be the club heroes who eventually faded and disappeared from top level European football.
However, this list of players never reached their full potentials and even after putting a good shift for the clubs, where they made a name for themselves, barely anyone remembers them in today’s time. However, they do get the recognition and respect that they deserve by the ones who have truly witnessed their top notch abilities on the pitch. It is time that these talented footballers get the acknowledgement they deserve so we bring you these five players who enjoyed some of their best years in big European clubs, only to move away from the radar completely.
Miralem Pjanic
Primed to Pjanic perfection! 👌🎩#JuveLazio #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/lnqatRvnxw
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) July 20, 2020
One of the best set piece takers of our generation, former Juvetus midfielder, Miralem Pjanic has had an extremely underrated career. The Bosnian legend does not get the recognition he deserves and recently the 34-year-old has completely vanished from the top European radar. He has always been a terrific football player with unbelievable vision, great ball control, an exceptional passing range and above all, tremendous set piece taking abilities.
Back in the day, Pjanic made his name at the Italian side Roma, and he made a permanent move to Juventus after a few brilliant seasons at the capital. At Juventus, Pjanic was an instant hit with a total of 18 goal contributions in all competitions playing as a central midfielder, helping his side win the Italian league and also reach the final of the Champions League. After a further few good seasons with the Old Lady, he left the club in 2020/21 season with 22 goals and 44 assists in 178 appearances for the club.
That’s where things changed for the Bosnian, as the swap deal of Arthur Melo and Pjanic, just didn’t work for either of the clubs. After just one season at Catalunya, Pjanic left for Besiktas, following it with a move to UAE, playing for Sharjah. Currently, at the age of 34, he playes for the Russian giants, CSKA Moscow. He is without a doubt one of the most technically gifted players from this generation, and has one a total of 12 major trophies, including four Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia titles with Juve, and Copa Del Rey with FC Barcelona.
Robinho
2. Robinho pic.twitter.com/WmWfcVpguK
— CAICENZO (@Cfc_caicenzo) November 20, 2024
When we talk about talents from Brazil, people would often talk about big names such as Neymar, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario and many more extraordinary talents from Canarinho. However, one player who was extremely close to reaching that level, and probably had the potential to even surpass a few of those names was none other than Robinho. The Brazilian skiller had tremendous ability, with his speed, acceleration and the ability to destroy defensive lines with his skill moves.
Robinho was one of Santos FC’s top products who was immediatetly bought by Real Madrid in the 2005/06 season, and after a few outstanding season with Los Blancos, he made his move to England, signing for Manchester City in 2008. After a staggering start to his life in England with 14 goals in the 2008/09 season for City, his form eventually dipped and after just two seasons at the club, he was sent back to Santos on loan before signing a permanent deal with AC Milan in 2010.
He managed to rediscover his form at the club and turned out to be a great asset for the Rossoneri, but after spending four seasons at the club, he returned home to Santos and never played for a major European club again. The 40-year-old has been a free agent for the past four years now, and the last time he made an appearance was for Istanbul Basaksehir back in 2019/20 season.
Javier Pastore
pastore pic.twitter.com/7Rpwg7NiMi
— • (@languishsink) November 21, 2024
An unbelievably talented Argentine, who never reached his full potential despite his promising spells at Paris Saint-Germain. Pastore is an offensive midfielder, who had the versatility to play on either sides of the wings, but what he did with the ball at his feet was just pure magic. He spent seven long seasons at PSG, where he had his fair share of ups and downs. In his very first season at the club after he was signed from the Italian side Palermo, he had a total of 20 goal contributions, as he established himeslf as one of the top talents around the globe.
However, after a few inconsistent years at the club where he made a total of 269 appearances, scoring 45 goals and providing 61 assists, he finally left the club in 2018, joining Roma. That was the time when it was clear that the Argentine was just a shadow of his former self, as he only managed to make a total of 37 appearances for the Italians, with no real productivity. The last club that he made an appearance for was Qatar FC and he has been a free agent for almost two years now.
Oscar
🇧🇷 An Oscar golazo when Chelsea met Juventus in 2012 🔥🔥🔥 #UCL pic.twitter.com/AEgG1e540a
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 29, 2021
Yet another Brazilian talent that completely disappeared after proving himself in the Premier League, Oscar showed signs of becoming the next Kaka, during his wonderful stint at Chelsea. His famous curling goal against Juventus in the Champions League back in 2012, is just a glimpse of what he could do with the ball at his feet. He spent five seasons with the Blues, and let’s just say that he was a typical fan favourite amongst those in the West side of London.
However, his career took an unexpected turn when he decided to leave Chelsea to join the Chinese League in 2017. It left many of the fans shocked, as he still had a lot to prove at the age of 25, when he should’ve joined a top European club or simply just stay at Stamford Bridge. Oscar had everything that you need from your offensive midfielder, with an eye for a telling pass, good finishing and a top notch game reading ability making him an elite player for the Blues.
However, ever since he made his move to China, where he plays for Shanghai Port, he might be enjoying his life there but it will always remain a mystery to see him perform at a top European side. He has already made over 200 appearances for Shanghai, more than the number of games he played for Chelsea, and the Brazilian has already scored 76 goals while also providing 137 assists for the Chinese champions.
Alexandre Pato
Once upon a time in Ac Milan.🔥
Ricardo Kaka x Ronaldinho x Pato. pic.twitter.com/ed3uM1LDyv
— Ablee (@abbilax) November 15, 2024
Yet another Brazilian who failed to reach his full potential due to injuries and wrong career decisions is the extremely talented Alexandre Pato. One of the wasted talents of this generation, Pato had the potential of becoming one of the Brazilian greats with his extraordinary pace, goalscoring ability and skills. The Brazilian forward had everything that a manager needed from his attacker, and in a star studded squad of AC Milan back in 2007/08, the Brazilian stood out in the squad with nine goals in 18 appearances that season.
His flare and ability to get into goal scoring positions made him a massive threat but the fact that Pato could also score from outside the box made him a lethal attacker, even for a team that already had the offensive star power of Ronaldinho, Filippo Inzaghi, Kaka and Andriy Shevchenko. The talented forward was 19 when he made his first appearance for the Rossoneri and it already seemed like a familiar territory for him, as the young star from Brazil never looked like he was nervous in a squad that had such high pedigree and stature.
However, injuries truly ruined his progress and after making a total of 150 appearances and scoring 63 goals and providing 18 assists thoughout his stint at Milan, Pato never performed for a top European side. He spent most of his career in Brazil and China after leaving the Rossoneri. Although he did sign for Chelsea, he never got the chance to prove himself in the Premier League making just two appearances for the Blues. Currently, at the age of 35, Pato is still without a club since the start of 2024 which unfortunately suggests that he truly ended up being a wasted talent.
Some of football’s biggest stars often hit their primes, show the world what they are capable of, and just disappear from the scene. So here’s a look at some of the players that have disappeared from the scene Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
