Where Are the Players Lionel Messi Tipped as His Successors Now?
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Ten years after Lionel Messi identified potential successors, a review shows their diverse career paths. While some, like Jérémy Boga and Aleksei Miranchuk, have achieved notable success, others like Kennedy and James Wilson have struggled to meet expectations. Timo Werner experienced a mixed career after a big-money move to Chelsea. Several players from Messi's list are now without clubs or playing in lower leagues, highlighting the unpredictable nature of football careers.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Lionel Messi identified several young players as potential successors a decade ago.
- Jérémy Boga joined Juventus, while Aleksei Miranchuk plays in MLS.
- Timo Werner's career included a difficult spell at Chelsea and a move to MLS.
- Several players from the list, including James Wilson and Hiriy Shaltoun, are now free agents.
- Kennedy and Accursio Bentivegna are currently playing for clubs in Mexico and Italy's third tier, respectively.
- Rony Lopes, a former Maccabi Haifa target, is now playing in Poland.
A decade ago, football superstar Lionel Messi identified several young players he believed could potentially succeed him. Now, as Messi's own career nears its end, a look back reveals the varied trajectories of these chosen talents.
Among those highlighted was Brazilian winger Kennedy, who joined Chelsea at a young age for £6.3 million. After showing early promise, he became a serial loanee and currently plays for Mexican club Pachuca.
Maxwel Cornet, an Ivorian-born French winger, moved to Lyon in 2015 and played over 250 games, reaching a Champions League semifinal. Despite a notable career, he did not reach the heights many predicted and now plays alongside Manor Solomon.
Jérémy Boga, who came through Chelsea's academy, eventually found success in Italy with Sassuolo and Atalanta before signing with Juventus for €4.8 million this summer. James Wilson, a Manchester United academy product, scored twice on his debut but struggled to maintain momentum and is now a free agent after playing for several lower-league clubs.
German striker Timo Werner, a prominent name from the list, scored 95 goals for Leipzig and became a German international before a £47.5 million move to Chelsea. His time at Chelsea and subsequent returns to Leipzig and a loan at Tottenham were less prolific, leading him to MLS. American forward Gyasi Zardes won MLS Cup with LA Galaxy in 2014 and Columbus Crew in 2020, but is now without a club.
Other players mentioned include Palermo's Accursio Bentivegna, who currently plays in Italy's third tier, and attacking midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk, who has played in Serie A and for the Russian national team, now featuring for Atlanta United in MLS. Rony Lopes, who was a candidate for Maccabi Haifa last summer, had a successful spell at Monaco before moving to Sevilla and going on loan extensively, now playing in Poland. Finally, Hiriy Shaltoun, drafted second overall in the 2015 MLS draft, made little impact and is currently without a team.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 1Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
