Everyone is looking for the next Messi or the next Neuer, and any young player who is more talented than his peers is called the Golden Boy.
There are a lot of players who don't play to their potential, either because they're injured or because they're underperforming.
A good example is Christanval, who won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and won the league title with Monaco in 1999-2000. But after failing transfers to Barcelona, Marseille and Fulham, he retired at the age of 29.
Players like this are injured or in poor form, weakening their potential, but there are also some players whose off-field problems seriously hamper their careers.
Let's take a look at some of the five players who are talented but have failed due to off-field problems.
5. Ravel Morrison – former Manchester United player
In Ferguson's words, Ravel Morrison started out as the best player the coach had ever seen at that age.
According to this description, he should be United's greatest player of the last decade, he is known as the next Rooney, considered the best player of Manchester United since George Best.
But Morrison's career quickly stalled, in part because of legal issues and he couldn't settle down at a club. The star has struggled to maintain his first-team position in 11 other clubs he has played for, even before he turns 28.
He currently joins Derby County and has reconnected with his former team-mate, the current Derby County manager, Looney. While it may be too late for the player, he may be able to salvage his reputation to some extent.
4. Adriano – former Inter Milan player
Before Neymar broke into Brazil 10 years ago, Adriano was the South American nation's brightest star. He shined in flamenco at the age of 17 and moved to Inter Milan at the age of 19.
His outstanding performances during the loan period put him in the Nerazzurri side, he quickly became a superstar, leading Inter to four Serie A titles, so what's the problem?
Adriano's father died of a heart attack when he was 22 years old, and although his performance didn't get off track, he began drinking and clubbing. He was kicked out of the Brazilian national team twice after being caught in nightclubs, but that didn't wake him up.
Inter's patience with the star was running out and he was loaned back to São Paulo, Brazil. Alcoholism and injuries to the Achilles tendon reduced the time he later joined on the pitch.
During his retirement from 2010 to 2016, Adriano played less than 50 games.
3. Balotelli – former Italian player
At Euro 2012, Balotelli became a shining star for the Italian team. His path to fame seems to be built on the chronicle of fate, but the reality is a cruel blow.
The star moved from top Premier League clubs to Serie B side Monza before the age of 30, and Balotelli has made just four appearances since 2018.
Disciplinary issues seem to have been with the Italian star to every club he joined, notably dragging Manchester City to the Premier League court against the club's decision to fine him.
His inconsistencies often arise in every dramatic argument in which it is impossible to capture his thoughts, not knowing what he is thinking.
2. Diouf – former Senegalese player
After a brilliant season at Ligue 1, Liverpool soon bought the 21-year-old prodigy for £10 million in 2002. However, all Diouf has brought to Anfield is controversy, and he remains one of the worst strikers in Liverpool's history.
His performances in Senegal may have been outstanding, but the star has failed to replicate that brilliance at his club. His controversial behaviour included spitting at an 11-year-old Middlesbrough fan, snatching the ball from teammate Mailer and getting a penalty.
Notably, he has clashed with both Carragher and Gerrard, with Diouf scoring just six goals in 79 games, which is worse than most midfielders. Since then, his career has continued to decline, eventually retiring from the Malaysian Premier League.
1. Mutu – former Chelsea player
In 2003, Chelsea's decision to pay a hefty transfer fee for Mutu made sense, especially given his outstanding performances in Serie A, where he made 36 appearances for Parma and scored 22 goals.
Mutu's days at Chelsea have been smooth sailing, with the star scoring goals on his debut. However, after he was drawn into an open divorce fight, his financial situation quickly began to decline.
Another public spat began with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who made it clear that he had no intention of letting Moutu play due to his antics off the pitch. Then it was all over when Mutu was sacked by Chelsea for failing a drug test.
Since 2004, his ongoing legal battles with Chelsea have hampered his future prospects. After a brief stint at Juventus, the star spent most of his career playing at Fiorentina.