10 FOOTBALL MANAGER WONDERKIDS WHO TURNED OUT TO BE FLOPS IN REAL LIFE

Uncovering a Football Manager wonderkid is like winning a golden ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. It's your passport to goals, glory and a trophy cabinet that would make Real Madrid envious.

But sometimes those prodigal talents you fell in love with turn out to be - in real life anyway - not so great after all.

We've gone back through the years to find the FM superstars who turned out to be a lot better in the game than in the actual real world.

10 - Bojan

The 'new Messi' couldn't live up to the hype and while there were highlights along the way his career didn't match the superstar trajectory predicted by Football Manager. 

 

9 - Josh McEachran

Back in FM 2011, Josh McEachran was a gold-plated ballon d'or winner-in-waiting. But the midfielder's actual career has been more journeyman than mega star, turning out for the likes of Wigan, Bradford and MK Dons.

 

8 - Kerrison

In the late noughties, Kerrison de Souza Carneiro was the kind of prodigous talent that every ambitious FM boss wanted. In real life, things were going well, too - bought by Barca, Kerrison's star was rising. But he never played for the first team and is widely considered to one of the club's worst ever signings.

 

7 - Freddy Adu

The hype around this guy - in Football Manager and in the real world - was off the scale. But after a brught start in the MLS, his career journey included stops at such illustrious clubs as Jagodina, KuFu-98 and Las Vega Lights.

 

6 - Hachim Mastour

Hachim Mastour was one of the stand-out youngsters back in FM 2015 - and it was fair acknowledgement for the 16-year-old, who had just joined AC Milan. He never played for the Rossoneri though and these days, still aged 25, turns out for Moroccan side Renaissance Zemamra.

 

5 - Mark Kerr

Mark Kerr enjoyed a decent but unspectacular career in Scotland, along with a short spell in Greece. But despite his modest achievements on the pitch, he is known around the world as an FM legend, a superstar midfielder capable of catapulting your team to glory.

 

4 - Yaya Sanogo

In FM12, Yaya Sanogo was the heir to Theirry Henry's throne - and when Arsenal came calling in 2013, his stock rose higher still, particularly among Football Manager players. But the Frenchman couldn't deliver in real life, these days turning out for China League One club Qingdao Red Lions.

 

3 - Tonton Zola Moukoko

Tonton Zola Moukoko was another legend from the (then Champ Manager) 2001/02 database who was a must buy for all teams. Starting as a raw talent in Derby's reserves, Tonton would go on to become a world class midfielder - in the game, anyway. In real life, he had a low-key career in Sweden.

 

2 - Anthony Vanden Borre

Available to sign for around £1m as an 18-year-old at Anderlecht in FM07, Anthony Vanden Borre was guaranteed to become the best right-back in the game. In reality? He played for Portsmouth, Genoa and Genk. Enough said.

 

1 - Cherno Samba

Football Manager? Yeah, completed it, mate. By signing Cherno Samba. This guy was dynamite back in the 01/02 edition - a 16-year-old with all the minerals to become one of the greats. Sadly life couldn't imitate art and the glittering career we were promised never materialised.

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And here's five they got right...

1 - Lionel Messi

Arguably the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi was a sensation in Football Manager long before he became a global icon. Discovered by the game's scouts during his early days at Barcelona, Messi's potential was evident. His dazzling dribbles, precise finishing, and incredible vision were accurately predicted by the game. In reality, Messi's career has been nothing short of extraordinary, with numerous Ballon d'Or awards, countless goals, and a legacy that will be remembered forever.

2 - Cristiano Ronaldo

Another Football Manager wonderkid who turned out to be a real-life superstar is Cristiano Ronaldo. Initially spotted while at Sporting CP, Ronaldo's exceptional speed, athleticism, and goal-scoring prowess were highlighted by the game. His move to Manchester United, followed by his illustrious career at Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United again, saw him shatter records and collect trophies, proving Football Manager's prediction right.

3 - Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney was a sensation in Football Manager when he burst onto the scene as a teenager at Everton. His strength, skill, and knack for scoring stunning goals made him a must-have player in the game. In real life, Rooney became Manchester United's all-time top scorer, won numerous Premier League titles, and left an indelible mark on English football with his tenacity and talent.

4 - Sergio Agüero

Sergio "Kun" Agüero was another wonderkid whose Football Manager potential translated into real-world success. Starting his career at Independiente and then moving to Atlético Madrid, Agüero's pace and clinical finishing were well-documented by the game. His transfer to Manchester City marked the beginning of a legendary Premier League career, where he became the club's all-time leading scorer and a key figure in their domestic dominance.

5 - Neymar Jr.

Neymar was a Football Manager gem even before he became a superstar at Santos. The game's scouts accurately predicted his flair, dribbling skills, and creative playmaking abilities. Neymar's career trajectory saw him become a vital player for Barcelona's famous MSN trio (Messi, Suárez, Neymar) and later, a record-breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, where he continues to dazzle fans with his brilliance.