Antoine Griezmann started his career playing for French club UF Macon. He had a number of trials with other clubs, including Lyon, but was rejected because of his size and slight frame. It was in 2005 that Real Sociedad scouts spotted Griezmann’s talent and gave him an opportunity. AFP
Antoine Griezmann started his career playing for French club UF Macon. He had a number of trials with other clubs, including Lyon, but was rejected because of his size and slight frame. It was in 2005 that Real Sociedad scouts spotted Griezmann’s talent and gave him an opportunity. AFP
Chelsea could have had French star Kylian Mbappe as early as 2012. At the age of 13, Mbappe impressed during a trial with the Blues but they reportedly upset his mother by requesting a second trial. He ended up with Monaco and the rest is history. EPA
Chelsea could have had French star Kylian Mbappe as early as 2012. At the age of 13, Mbappe impressed during a trial with the Blues but they reportedly upset his mother by requesting a second trial. He ended up with Monaco and the rest is history. EPA
Argentine great Lionel Messi played for Newell's Old Boys, that’s well known. But in 1995, the then eight-year-old was scouted by Buenos Aires club River Plate. They pulled out of a deal to sign Messi, expressing their inability to pay the $1000-a-month bill for growth hormones. As luck would have it, Barcelona sporting director Carlos Rexach flew in to watch him and “snapped him up there and then” in 2000. PA
Argentine great Lionel Messi played for Newell's Old Boys, that’s well known. But in 1995, the then eight-year-old was scouted by Buenos Aires club River Plate. They pulled out of a deal to sign Messi, expressing their inability to pay the $1000-a-month bill for growth hormones. As luck would have it, Barcelona sporting director Carlos Rexach flew in to watch him and “snapped him up there and then” in 2000. PA
Arsenal’s former academy director Liam Brady revealed the Gunners released Harry Kane from their youth set-up at the age of eight because he was "a bit chubby" and "not athletic”. Kane later joined Tottenham where he would go on to become a prolific goalscorer. Reuters
Arsenal’s former academy director Liam Brady revealed the Gunners released Harry Kane from their youth set-up at the age of eight because he was "a bit chubby" and "not athletic”. Kane later joined Tottenham where he would go on to become a prolific goalscorer. Reuters
When Mario Balotelli was just a 16-year-old playing in Serie C for Lumezzane, he was given a trial with Barcelona. He even impressed head of the youth team Jose Ramon Alexanko. However, the deal did not materialise because his agent reportedly demanded too much money. Reuters
When Mario Balotelli was just a 16-year-old playing in Serie C for Lumezzane, he was given a trial with Barcelona. He even impressed head of the youth team Jose Ramon Alexanko. However, the deal did not materialise because his agent reportedly demanded too much money. Reuters
After spending his early years at HFC Haarlem, Ruud Gullit had a trial at Arsenal in 1982. Gunners’ then manager Terry Neil decided against signing him as he did not find him worth the £200,000 price tag. Gullit went on to win multiple European Cups with AC Milan and the European Championship with the Netherlands. Allsport
After spending his early years at HFC Haarlem, Ruud Gullit had a trial at Arsenal in 1982. Gunners’ then manager Terry Neil decided against signing him as he did not find him worth the £200,000 price tag. Gullit went on to win multiple European Cups with AC Milan and the European Championship with the Netherlands. Allsport
As a teenager, the ‘original’ Ronaldo tried to get signed by Flamengo, but it didn’t materialise. According to the Washington Post, Ronaldo was asked to come back for a second trial but he didn’t have enough money for the bus fare, which ended his dreams. He then joined Cruzeiro instead, before moving to PSV Eindhoven at 17 and started his journey to greatness. Getty
As a teenager, the ‘original’ Ronaldo tried to get signed by Flamengo, but it didn’t materialise. According to the Washington Post, Ronaldo was asked to come back for a second trial but he didn’t have enough money for the bus fare, which ended his dreams. He then joined Cruzeiro instead, before moving to PSV Eindhoven at 17 and started his journey to greatness. Getty
An eight-year-old Luke Shaw played at Chelsea's development centre in Guildford, but he was not offered a spot in the academy. He then developed at Southampton before joining Manchester United in 2014. Getty
An eight-year-old Luke Shaw played at Chelsea's development centre in Guildford, but he was not offered a spot in the academy. He then developed at Southampton before joining Manchester United in 2014. Getty
Michel Platini reportedly had two separate trials with Metz. The first trial was cancelled due to an injury and in the second he fainted during a breathing test. That was the end of that. Platini went on to have a stellar career at Juventus. Allsport
Michel Platini reportedly had two separate trials with Metz. The first trial was cancelled due to an injury and in the second he fainted during a breathing test. That was the end of that. Platini went on to have a stellar career at Juventus. Allsport
Argentine club Independiente rejected a teenage Zanetti, saying he didn't have the physique to succeed in football. Five Serie A titles, a Champions League trophy and his shirt number retired by Inter Milan proved otherwise. Allsport
Argentine club Independiente rejected a teenage Zanetti, saying he didn't have the physique to succeed in football. Five Serie A titles, a Champions League trophy and his shirt number retired by Inter Milan proved otherwise. Allsport

Football

Antoine Griezmann, Harry Kane and other footballers who were rejected as youngsters - in pictures

A look at football superstars who were passed up by some famous clubs early in their career

Ajit Vijaykumar

May 10, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

When you look at names such as Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, you would probably think that clubs across the world would have wanted to sign them up from an early age.

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But all three players had to deal with rejection at the beginning of their careers, for a variety of reasons.

While some players did not impress enough during the trials, others were not deemed worth the investment. And in the case of Lionel Messi, it all boiled down to the cost of his medical bills.

Above is a gallery of footballers who were rejected as youngsters. To move to the next image, click on the arrows. Or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

On Women's Day
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

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Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Virat KohliKylian MbappeHarry KaneLionel Messi