Where Are the Players Lionel Messi Tipped as His Successors Now?
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
A decade after Lionel Messi identified potential successors, a review shows a mixed career trajectory for these players. Many, like Kennedy and James Wilson, have not reached top-tier success and are now with lesser clubs or free agents. While some, such as Timo Werner and Maxwell Cornet, have had notable careers, they too have fallen short of expectations. Roni Lopes, once linked to Maccabi Haifa, is currently playing in Poland.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Lionel Messi identified several young players as potential successors a decade ago.
- Many of these players, including Kennedy and James Wilson, have not reached elite status.
- Timo Werner and Maxwell Cornet had notable careers but fell short of high expectations.
- Roni Lopes, a former Maccabi Haifa target, is currently playing for Motor Lublin.
- The list includes players from Brazil, France, Germany, the US, Russia, and Italy.
A decade ago, in 2015, football superstar Lionel Messi identified several young players who he believed could potentially succeed him. Now, as Messi's own career nears its end, a review of those chosen players reveals a mixed bag of fortunes, with many failing to reach the lofty expectations set for them.
Among those identified was Brazilian winger Kennedy, who joined Chelsea at a young age but became a serial loan player, currently playing for Pachuca in Mexico. French winger Maxwell Cornet, who moved to Lyon in 2015 and reached a Champions League semifinal, has not fully lived up to his potential and now plays alongside Israeli footballer Manor Solomon. Jeremy Boga, who came through Chelsea's academy, had spells at Sassuolo and Atalanta before signing for Juventus this summer.
James Wilson, a Manchester United academy product, scored twice on his debut but couldn't maintain momentum and is now a free agent after playing for several lower-league clubs. German striker Timo Werner, a prolific scorer for Leipzig and a German international, struggled at Chelsea and has since played for Leipzig again, Tottenham on loan, and now in MLS. American forward Gyasi Zardes won MLS Cup with LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew but is currently without a club.
Other players on Messi's list include Palermo's Accursio Bentivegna, who now plays in Italy's third division, and attacking midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk, who has played in Serie A and for the Russian national team, and is now with Atlanta United in MLS. Roni Lopes, who was a candidate to join Maccabi Haifa in the summer, had a standout season at Monaco but has since been loaned out extensively and is now playing for Motor Lublin. Finally, Khiry Shelton, a former MLS draft pick, has played for Sporting Kansas City and briefly in Germany but is currently without a club.
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