In football there are always prominent stars. Then, they became legendary after retiring with many achievements. Then, some new players are labeled “next big thing” to explain that he is a successor to a legend. In football there are many “next big thing” appearing. Following this, five people who were labeled “next” legends but whose careers were just ordinary. There are many possibilities they failed to become a legend.
Maybe they did not work hard enough to fail to compete to the best. Maybe they don’t determine a suitable place. Maybe they are not strong enough to carry the label “next”, so they are burdened and unable to develop. When he first appeared with his punt, Robinho immediately gave hope to the citizens of Brazil. Robinho was labeled “next Pele” to explain that he was a star candidate in the future.
Robinho’s early career in Europe could also make the hopes of the Brazilian stick out. Because, Robinho played at Real Madrid. However, the man born in 1984 was only three seasons in Madrid and then moved to several clubs. This man whose full name is Robson de Souza has only felt a domestic title. He has never tasted a Champions League title. Robinho also never felt the World Cup title with Brazil. Robinho has also never been the best player in the world. Robinho’s name sinks even more in Brazil after a new name that has attracted attention, namely Neymar. Now, at the age of 36, Robinho is still playing, namely, at the Turkish club, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Secondly, Andres D’Alessandro first emerged when he brought Argentina to the U-20 World Cup in 2001. Together with Javier Saviola, Andres became an important actor for Argentina. The midfielder is known for his ability to carry the ball and his direct free kick which can tear the opponent’s net. Because it is considered to have bright prospects, Argentine legend Diego Maradona said that Andres D’Alessandro was his successor in the Argentine national team. But, his career in Europe crumbled because he only played in a middle club.
He has played at Wolfsburg, Real Zaragoza, and Portsmouth. His name sank and returned to South America. D’Alessandro was once the best South American player in 2010 for successfully bringing Internacional Libertadores Cup winners. He also participated in bringing Argentina to get the 2004 Olympic gold medal. However, the rest D’Alessandro is not too well known. At the level of the senior Argentine national team, he also never sticking out.
Thirdly, Diego Latorre. When legend Diego Maradona has stepped on 30 years, there is one name that is staying will replace it. He is Diego Latorre, the player who was first dubbed “new Maradona”. In 1991, Latorre became part of the success of Argentina Copa America champions. After that, together with Batistuta (another Argentinian star), Latorre was signed by Fiorentina. However, the two players have a different fate. Batistuta continued to rise and become a Fiorentina legend, while Latorre was only one season at Fiorentina. After that Latorre moved from one club to another. The name of the man born in 1969 continued to sink and only played six times for the Argentine national team. After retiring as a player, Latorre became a soccer commentator.
Fourth, Freddy Adu. When he was 14 years old, Freddy Adu got the next Pele pin. In fact, the player who was born in 1989 also received praise from Pele. At the age of 14, Adu played for the American Olympic program against Juventus and Lazio junior teams in an event. In that event he became the top scorer and the best player. Adu continued to be a conversation at that time. Moreover, in 2004 Adu broke several records. He became the youngest player to sign a contract with a professional club. In 2004, he was hooked by DC United in the United States League.
In the same year, Adu became the youngest player in the history of the United States League to play on the field. He played in a professional team when he was 14 years old. In the same year he also became the youngest player to score a goal in the history of the United States League. However, it was later discovered that Adu’s career was not brilliant. He only played 11 times for the United States national team. He changed clubs and last defended Las Vegas Light in 2018.
Ariel Ortega is a name that gets pinned next to Maradona in the decade of the 90s. If Diego Latorre doesn’t shine at all, it’s different from Ortega. At the 1994 World Cup he had played in the Argentine national team. At that time he was 20 years old. He is also known for his reminiscent shocks people on Maradona. Even if you look closely, Ortega’s shreds aren’t subtle, even less subtle than Lionel Messi’s. However, at that time, every Argentine player who had a pretty good tackle was immediately observed next Maradona.
Ortega’s career is more often in Argentina with River Plate. He helped bring River Plate Libertadores Cup winner in 1996. In 1998 during the World Cup, Ortega became one of the center of attention because he was a mainstay of the Argentine national team.
However, the temperament that could not contain emotions caused disasters for Argentina. Argentina lost to the Netherlands in the last 8. During that match, Argentina actually had the advantage of having a superior number of players.
One Dutch player, Arthur Numan got a red card in minute 76. However, Ortega acted gore on the Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in minute 87. Ortega got a red card and three minutes later Argentina conceded. Argentina lost 1-2 to the Netherlands in the last eight of the 1998 World Cup. At club level besides River Plate, Ortega did not develop. He once defended Parma and Valencia, but nothing special. In fact, Ortega also had collapsed because of illegal drugs.
These are the names who were “the next big thing.” They were deemed to be a successor to legend, but in fact turned to be just ordinary player.
