Famous soccer players who failed at first: Costa’s tough journey, Zidane rejected for Sherwood

Fans are often obsessed with the "wonderkid", the teenage sensation who bursts onto the scene with the world at their feet. However, history is littered with the remains of early bloomers who flickered brightly for a moment before fading into the "what if" category of missed potential. 

While it is easy to shine when everything goes your way, it is infinitely more difficult to stand tall after being told you are not good enough. If you can endure early rejection, rebuild your confidence, and eventually conquer the highest peaks of the sport, you become more than just an athlete; you become a beacon of hope for the next generation. 

Facing failure as a young person with a fragile mind is a harrowing ordeal, yet it is through these trials that we realize life rewards those with unwavering ambition. These individuals, honored in our breakdown of famous soccer players who failed at first, prove that a rocky start is often just the prelude to a legendary finish, a sentiment we hold dearly here at Flashscoremobi.

Top 10 famous soccer players who failed at first

10. Luke Shaw

Before Shaw became a staple for Manchester United and England, he faced the heartbreak of being rejected by his boyhood idols. Having trained at Chelsea’s development center, the young left-back was told he wasn't good enough for a permanent spot. This led him to Southampton at age 8, where he eventually debuted in 2012. 

His meteoric rise there led to a £30 million move to Man United in 2014, a world record for a teenager at the time. Despite a horrific leg break in 2015 that sidelined him for nearly a year and public criticism from manager José Mourinho, Shaw persevered. To date, he has made over 270 appearances for United, winning the UEFA Europa League (2017), the Carabao Cup (2023) and FA Cup 2024. On the international stage, he has earned over 30 caps for England, famously scoring in the Euro 2020 final. 

9. Mario Balotelli

While his career is often viewed through a lens of controversy, few realize how close he came to the "Masía" glory. In 2006, a 16-year-old Balotelli trialed at Barcelona, scoring 5 goals in 1 game. Youth coordinator Jose Ramon Alexanko admitted, "He was good enough and we could have signed him," but his volatile attitude reportedly killed the deal. 

He returned to Italy with Inter Milan, where he won the Treble in 2010 under Mourinho. Balotelli’s career saw him score 20 goals in 54 games for Manchester City, winning the Premier League in 2012, and 26 goals in 43 games for AC Milan. For Italy, he scored 14 goals in 36 matches, including a legendary brace against Germany in Euro 2012. 

8. Diego Costa

Costa's path was devoid of the luxury found in modern academies, he played street football in Brazil until he was 15. He was rejected by every major Brazilian club he approached, including Corinthians, Palmeiras, and Santos. It wasn't until he moved to Braga in Portugal, and subsequently Atletico Madrid, that he found his footing. 

Even at Atletico, he was loaned out 5 times to clubs like Celta Vigo and Rayo Vallecano between 2007 and 2012. The turning point arrived in the 2013/14 season when he scored 27 league goals to lead Atletico to a historic La Liga title. He then moved to Chelsea, scoring 52 goals in 89 Premier League games and winning 2 league titles.

7. Marcus Rashford

It is almost impossible to imagine the Man United talisman in blue, but at age 9, he was trialing with Man City. The Citizens' scouts ultimately deemed him "too small and weak" to succeed in their system. United capitalized on this oversight, bringing him into their academy. 

Since his sensational 2016 debut, where he scored twice in both his Europa League and Premier League bows, Rashford has scored over 130 goals in more than 400 appearances for the Red Devils. He has secured the 2 FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League. For England, he has 60 caps and 17 goals, representing the nation at multiple World Cups and Euros.

6. Harry Kane

Perhaps the most famous rejection in North London history, Kane spent a year at the Arsenal academy before being released at age eight for being "chubby" and "slow." Arsene Wenger later confessed his deep disappointment at letting Kane slip away. After 4 different loan spells at clubs like Leicester and Millwall, Kane finally broke into the Spurs first team in 2014. 

He went on to become Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer with 280 goals and the Premier League’s second-highest scorer ever. In 2023, he moved to Bayern Munich for over €100 million, where he immediately broke Bundesliga scoring records. He also became England's captain and all-time top scorer (62 goals in 89 games), continuing to chase a major team trophy in the upcoming World Cup 2026.

5. Javier Zanetti

The legendary Inter Milan captain was once told by Argentinian club Independiente that he lacked the physique for professional football. Undeterred, he worked in construction while playing for Talleres and Banfield before Inter took a gamble on him in 1995. 

Zanetti became the "Tractor," playing 858 games for Inter, winning 5 Serie A titles and the 2010 Champions League. He earned 143 caps for Argentina before retiring in 2014 at age 40. He is currently the Vice-President of Inter Milan.

4. Yaya Toure

Toure serves as another "what if" for Arsenal. In 2003, a 20-year-old Toure played a friendly for Arsenal against Barnet. Wenger described his performance as "completely average." Due to work permit issues, the move failed. 

Toure instead went to Barcelona, winning the Sextuple in 2009, and then Man City, where he became a legend with 79 goals in 230 games, winning 3 Premier League titles. 

3. Ronaldo Nazário

The "Phenomenon" was rejected by his childhood club Flamengo because they wouldn't pay his bus fare for trials. He joined Cruzeiro instead, scoring 44 goals in 47 games, which launched a career at PSV, Barcelona, Inter, and Real Madrid. A 2-time World Cup winner and three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldo retired in 2011 and is now a successful club owner.

2. Zinedine Zidane

In 1995, Blackburn Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish wanted to sign Zidane from Bordeaux. Owner Jack Walker famously asked, "Why do you want to sign Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?". Zidane went to Juventus and then Real Madrid instead, winning the World Cup, the Euros, and the Champions League. 

1. Lionel Messi

At age 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. Newell’s Old Boys and River Plate both refused to pay the $1,000 monthly medical bill. Barcelona’s Carles Rexach saw his genius and famously signed him on a paper napkin, agreeing to cover the costs. 

Messi went on to win 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions Leagues, and a record 8 Ballon d'Ors. After leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, the 38-year-old currently plays for Inter Miami in the USA.

Summary of the 10 stars who defied the odds: 

Lionel Messi 

Zinedine Zidane

Ronaldo Nazário 

Yaya Toure 

Javier Zanetti 

Harry Kane

Marcus Rashford 

Diego Costa

Mario Balotelli 

Luke Shaw

Everyone has to start somewhere, and perhaps it was these painful setbacks that provided the necessary fuel for these athletes to build such inspiring careers. Their presence on this list of famous soccer players who failed at first at Flashscoremobi.com proves that grit is just as important as talent. 

In the future, Flashscoremobi promises to bring you even more unique articles and topics regarding top players and leagues across Europe and the world. If you are seeking a reliable platform for the latest football news, live scores, objective match analysis, or rare statistics, we are confident in providing the ultimate experience. Don't miss out!