In the football industry, there is such a thing as an agreement. Usually, the deal involves several players’ transfers to a particular club. But in its history, there have been some decisions that have led to regret.
In this discussion, Starting Eleven will try to list some best players who were rejected by big clubs in his youth.
Hary Kane (Arsenal)
Harry Kane had played at the Arsenal academy before he was released at the age of eight. But after that, the player who is now 26 years old got the trial chance with Watford, where he should face against Tottenham Hotspur.
Instead of joining the Watford academy, Kane finally joined The Lilywhites academy. Now Kane is even grateful for the moment of Arsenal’s rejection since, after that, he became a famous bomber in England following his impressive appearance at Spurs.
If you look at Kane’s current achievements, Arsenal might regret releasing him when he was eight years old.
Antonie Griezmann (Lyon)
Antoine Griezmann became one of the French strikers who won the World Cup. His action in the world of football must not be underestimated. He had become a star at Atletico before finally settling at FC Barcelona.
Griezmann, who is currently a world player, used to be rejected by Lyon. Lyon, who at the time had a young French talent recruitment program, was a silent witness of the star’s future refusal. The club considered that Griezmann had a short and thin body.
But this refusal has made Griezmann even more resilient. He did not give up and continued to realize his dream to become a great footballer. His name began to stick out when appearing with Real Sociedad. From that point, Griezmann has set foot on the world of football.
Kylian Mbappe (Chelsea)
Kylian Mbappe had almost once been a Chelsea player. As it is known, Mbappe who is now defending Paris Saint Germain idolizes Chelsea. He often followed the matches of the Blues when he was a child.
Mbappe himself began his fame at the Monaco club. But before shining with Monaco, Chelsea never lost the opportunity to take him to Stamford Bridge. This was revealed by a former Chelsea agent, Serge Daniel Boga, who had taken him to the Cobham training center in 2012. Mbappe who played impressively at that time was again asked to undergo a second trial. But his mother refused.
At that time, his mother refused Chelsea to ensure Mbappe’s talent once more. This because his mother believed that Mbappe’s ability was extraordinary and Chelsea would be very sorry if they did not immediately take him. Mbappe’s mother’s words were true. Now Chelsea has to spend more if they want to bring Mbappe.
Lionel Messi (River Plate)
River Plate has realized Lionel Messi’s talent and even expressed an intention to recruit him. It was said that before Messi ventured to Spain at the age of 14 years, it turned out he first tried his luck at the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires two years earlier.
Messi with his best friend, Leandro Gimenez, took a test with River Plate. They played with the reserve team against the River Plate junior team, strengthened by Gonzalo Higuain. Amazed by Messi’s talent, River Plate’s youth team coach, Abrahamian, immediately contacted the club’s board of directors.
But the club’s response at that time was disappointing. Although Abrahamian tried hard to convince the directors to recruit Messi, Messi finally returned to Rosario and never joined the River Plate. Abrahamian also criticized River management for not being able to invest.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Arsenal)
Arsenal almost hijacked Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in 2003. Unfortunately, it failed because the Gunners did not have the funds to recruit him.
In November 2002, Ronaldo was invited to Arsenal’s training base, London Colney. At that time, Wenger immediately expressed his interest in this Portuguese player.
Wenger has even negotiated with Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes to realize this transfer. But the effort never met a bright decision. The lack of Arsenal’s efforts to recruit Ronaldo was even then considered as a factor of the team’s failure to bring prospective future stars.
Ronaldo de Lima (Flamengo)
Ronaldo got an invitation from Flamengo to take part in the selection of young players. In the first selection, Ronaldo appeared so promising that he finally passed the second selection.
But the drama happened. Little Ronaldo was unable to take part in the second selection of Flamengo because he did not have money to buy bus tickets. Since then, Flamengo had never allowed Ronaldo to participate in the selection again.
Luckily, Ronaldo met the former Brazilian national team personnel, Jairzinho, who brought him to join Cruzeiro a few months after being rejected by Flamengo.
Since then, he began his professional career to fly to the blue continent. After that, Ronaldo became a star by strengthening several famous European clubs.
