Ex-Football Manager wonderkid Freddy Adu’s largest remorse after burnt out profession
As far as Football Manager wonderkids who didn’t reside as much as the hype go, Freddy Adu is the undisputed king.
The American was dubbed the subsequent Pele when he grew to become the youngest skilled athlete in staff sport historical past aged 14 in 2003, and never simply by the Nostradamus-like scouts employed by Sports Interactive, however by Pele himself! He signed a record-breaking sponsorship cope with Nike and had trials at Manchester United, after which… light into obscurity.
A debilitating cocktail of overwhelming expectations and intrusive model managers left him treading water within the US for a couple of years earlier than he was thrown a lifeline by Benfica in 2007. But he spent nearly all of his four-year stint on the membership out on mortgage, firstly at Monaco, and later at Belenenses, Aris and Caykur Rizespor.
READ MORE: Football Manager’s most iconic wonderkids and the place they’re now – from Freddy Adu to Kerlon
READ MORE: US staff signal 13-year-old wonderkid who may break cult hero Freddy Adu’s document
Looking again, Adu says he needs he’d stayed put in Lisbon, admitting his itchy toes most likely price him a profession on the very prime. “I felt that when I was at Benfica, I had three different coaches in my first year there. It was a little much,” the 34-year-old advised Sport Bible.
“I’m thinking it would be better going to play for a different team and hopefully, that would give me more stability. But it turned out that was the wrong decision. For me, it was my biggest regret. I wasn’t mature enough to handle all the distractions at the time in Monaco.
Is Freddy Adu the biggest example of wasted talent in football? Let us know in the feedback part under.
(Image: Icon Sport by way of Getty Images)
“In turn, my play suffered big time. That was basically the beginning of me having to go on loan to different teams because I just wasn’t playing well enough,” he added. “I don’t blame anybody. I blame myself because I made that decision. I did. Nobody forced me to. I was the one who decided to move.”
He shared a dressing room with a younger Angel Di Maria when he first joined Benfica and claims he was higher than him on the time. Though three years later, the Argentine was snapped by Real Madrid whereas he was warming the bench in Super League Greece.
(Image: Tribune News Service by way of Getty Images)
“The crazy thing is, during my first year there, I actually played better than Di Maria,” he stated. “I got on the field more. I scored more. I had a better season but he stayed and I went on loan. He then became a regular starter and took off from there. I went to Monaco, didn’t play and from there, I went on loan to Belenenses. That hurt me a lot.”
Adu left Benfica in 2011 and spent the subsequent six years aimlessly club-hopping. Between the ages of 27 and 28 he was a free agent and by 29 he unofficially retired. He’s since reversed his resolution, and though he is nonetheless and not using a membership, he hopes to get again into the sport as quickly as doable.
Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and plenty extra
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we would like you to hitch us!
Through the app, we’ll ship you the sassiest showbiz tales, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…together with the newest breaking information after all.
To be a part of our group, all it’s a must to do to hitch is click on on this hyperlink, choose ‘Join Chat’ and also you’re in!
No one will be capable to see who has enroll and nobody can ship messages aside from the Daily Star staff. We additionally deal with our group members to competitions, particular affords, promotions, and adverts from us and our companions.
If you don’t like our group, you may take a look at any time you want. To depart our group click on on the identify on the prime of your display and select Exit group. If you’re curious, you may learn our Privacy Notice.
“I took a few years off after I lost my love for the game,” he stated. Believe it or not, I’m excited about getting on the market once more and taking part in. I’m nonetheless younger sufficient.”