Judging a Wonderkid List from 10 Years Ago

Eden Hazard was a chosen one and with his career coming to an end I thought we should take a look back at the best U21 players in 2013. There are a million lists of football’s best wonderkids, the chosen soccer players that will guide the next generation according to the assembled press, but those wonderkid lists are impossible to get right and always lead to very interesting look backs.
Hazard is not the only player that went onto great things but is already done playing. I find that fascinating considering this was only 10 years ago, not every player goes the way of Ronaldo or Messi when it comes to playing forever. We have to appreciate the wonderkids while they are here.
Much Love,
Me
The 50 Wonderkids from 2013 ► syndication.bl....
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#Football #Soccer #Hashtagsandstuff

[@endofly]

I really like how respectful he is towards players who “did not realize their potential.” A lot of people on KZbin cover them with dirt.

[@Chengyuan79]

nod nod ... one of the reasons why I watch Zealand's videos. Very smart and hardworking fellow who also can see the context of things as they are. The folks who diss those players, for example 99% of their annual salary are also not what those players earn in a week. And, more importantly, they 100% cannot beat them in a football match. If I have just 1/10 of their career (and 1/10 of their money too of course 😅), I would have been a contented man. Or just scoring a winning goal to get a world cup? 😗🎶

[@afasia2341]

Sometimes people forget how hard it is to even get at that kind of level in the first place. EL Shaarawy might not have become a balon d'or candidate but he's had one hell of a career and he's an excellent player and among the best in the world. Hazard might have won more but he won titles as THE guy. These were all definitely wonderkids.

[@spinyslasher6586]

People forget that just being able to play professional football in and of itself is a huge achievement. Most of the footballers in the world fail to make football their primary career because it simply doesn't pay much unless you're in a reputable football league.

[@dennisrossonero]

Exactly how it should be. Most of these players are either unlucky with injuries or just didn't make the top top tier. American culture calling everyone either goat or bust is cancerous.

[@Cam_Jong_Un]

yeah well the thing is even the ones who didnt make big have still had good careers or even great careers even if it wasnt the longest career

[@lucch03]

Obviously not all of them lived up to their potential but I’d say pretty much everyone on this list had at least a pretty solid career. I feel like you don’t see that often from these types of lists

[@PokeTilde]

Would still argue Eden Hazard more than matched up his expectations. Lest we forget that he and Neymar were arguably the 3rd/4th best players in the world behind that anomalies that are Ronaldo and Messi.

[@kin9_derp952]

I'd almost agree but for me they were always just a little bit below some others. Suarez, bale just to name a few

[@RPCentral7]

at different times they were ahead and below each other. Hazard was arguably the best from world cup 2018 to europa league 2019@@kin9_derp952

[@TheGamersBR3000]

@@kin9_derp952”they”? Hazard for sure, but Neymar was DEFINITELY the 3rd best player in this generation, and especially between 2014 and 2017/18. Definitely not below the likes of Bale and others.

[@kieransteers]

Them 2, Suarez and Bale for sure were the next best and probably a Balon D’or or few between them in another generation

[@distilledwill]

Hazard actually won the premier league three times! He won it for Leicester as well :)

[@lokiness13]

Cool video Z ! Calling Welbeck a mercenary is a strech though, the man is 32 yo and has only has 3 transfers, without all those injuries he could have been so good. I didn't know that Schürrle retired so young, even more in this day when some players play at the top level till they're 40.

[@IsaacSperrow]

IRRC Schurrle said he got a virus while at Chelsea and basically never recovered 100%, hence the crazy dip in level. Him retiring that early pretty much re-confirmed that.

[@JoeMulaparthi]

It's crazy how Neymar literally had quite possibly like a top 10 career of all time and we still look at him as missed potential. Literally the most talented player ever

[@simenstory3321]

Hi, Zealand! You've quickly become my favorite football channel alongside Tifo and Football Iconic, and I think that speaks numbers. Keep up the amazing work and innovative ideas (as well as hillarious quick-witted jokes)! Always looking forward to the next video!

[@noone102]

So good to see my hometown club's logo in there, didn't expect that! It's Mainz 05 with Schürrle

[@BoliveiraNTPW]

As a Brazilian, i still think Lucas would had been better if he did not went to PSG. Maybe if he went to a premier league, Laliga or Bundesliga club... maybe things would worked out better. But he returned to São Paulo and won the Copa Do Brasil. (The brasil version of the FA Cup)

[@SongofIceandTea]

i've read about Messi biography, and Messi's Newell's Old Boys coach said that Messi wasn't the most talented kid back than, there's this one other kid who's better than Messi, but his family weren't supportive and he failed to fulfil his potential, just imagine, a kid that was more talented than the Great Lionel Messi !!

[@TheMarthis1]

Lucas Moura just helped his team to win its first ever copa do brasil (Brazils national cup) it's a really big deed.

[@ghost.8836]

Oh, new Zealand video, we love to see it.

[@stump1897]

Ericsson”s cardiac arrest was one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever watched. I know it happens to many people, but someone at the highest level of sport essentially dropping dead like that is just…..

[@YonesWilson]

The strange thing with Neymar is that there's a feeling he never lived up to his potential, even though he has had a very respectable career but back then everyone thought this kid will be the biggest star football has ever seen! And how he was not number one in that list is beyond me 😂

[@pascal6871]

I think he for some reason often didnt show up or was injured in key matches and that perceived unreliability hurt his career a lot.

[@donkosaurus]

the league he played in

[@darthvulture]

i remember playing fm 12 and signing many of these, lucas moura especially was a gem, neymar was allready great back then. But yeah they honestly didn't do a bad job of this top 10 compared to some other years considering how hard it is to predict, but yeah hard work and taking care of your body isn't something that often gets the early results.

[@hodor6159]

Neymar should've been the no1 prospect and honestly he's underachied in his career. He was a generational talent who could've been in the GOAT debate if he'd applied himself.

[@eli-sq1zd]

when i clicked this video i wasnt expecting my favorite team to be made fun of TWICE

[@he_football]

If Thiago were still at Bayern they would have won another UCL since the last one

[@agdaltarek]

Not if he kept getting injured half the season

[@he_football]

@@agdaltarek Less games in the Bundesliga so less chance of that

[@agdaltarek]

@@he_football even in bayern he had many injuries, if it wasnt for that he would have had a much much better career individually

[@arthi1238]

If you think mario götze only had one moment in his entire career, you obviously never watched a second of bundesliga

[@callumedwards4003]

The tragedy with Neymar is he gets hacked to pieces all your in Ligue 1, and when we see him on the World stage still getting hacked to pieces we showed no sympathy. I have no doubt in my mind that he would have been the worlds best player if he played in La Liga for Barca instead of moving.

[@levi777ish]

one question: who is Jorge Lof? :D

[@NostalgiNorden]

Real Madrid - Destroyers of talent since 1932

[@AlexDeAustria]

Where the hell is Jesé Rodríguez on that list? My god, what a player he was before that ACL injury...he benched peak Gareth Bale.

[@JavierUKWithCat]

Yeah. 😢 my favorite fm player

[@SepplFCN]

Mario Gotze 😂

[@chadb2827]

bleacher report link not working

[@kaigainik1]

regarding to neymar, you forget about his sister. his sister is take a big part of neymar career.

[@jacksavage6354]

1:05 if you win a champions league wouldn't that make the domestic treble more of a regular treble haha? Also pretty sure he joined Bayern after they won the CL in 2013

[@george5464]

Gabriel Barbosa was the GOAT with Januzaj

[@Eesa8]

Gabri Veiga next Oscar?

[@seeker-p7w]

funny that salah and son is not even on top50 list 😮

[@Ceriummm]

Did you really compare Bale and Hazard? Bale is on a different level to Hazard (their time spent at Real Madrid)

[@sm42941]

ive noticed americans are just incapable of understanding the what the 'streets wont forget' is, even if they obviously know football like zealand. its just genetically encoded into them they cannot escape it hazard is NOT a streets wont forget player

[@footballfantastico924]

I spinned a wheel to see the next 10 Seasons of the premier league like who won the league got relegated got promoted and league top scorer Year 1(23/24): League Winner:Brentford Relegated Teams:West Ham,Wolves,Burnley. League Top Scorer:Joe Rothwell Promoted Teams:Leeds United,Southampton,Hull City. Year 2(24/25): League winners:Everton Relegated Teams:Southampton,Newcastle United,Brentford. League Top Scorer:Kyle Walker Promoted Teams:Bristol City,Lincoln City,Peterborough Year 3(25/26): League Winners:Bristol City Relegated Teams:Liverpool,Chelsea,Manchester City😮😮😮😮 League Top Scorer:Destiny Udogie Promoted Teams:Blackburn Rovers,Swansea City,Barnsley Year 4(26/27): League Winners:Crystal Palace Relegated Teams:Leeds United,Manchester United,Sheffield United. League Top Scorer:Martin Ødegaard. Promoted Teams:Wycombe Wanderers,Brentford,Sunderland. Year 5(27/28): League Winners:Swansea City League Top Scorer:Nazariy Rusyn(Sunderland). Relegated Teams:Hull City,Tottenham Hotspurs,Wycombe Wanderers. Promoted Teams:Liverpool,Swindon Town,QPR. Year 6(28/29): League Winners:Swansea City League Top Scorer:Issa Diop Relegated Teams:Bournemouth,Aston Villa,Barnsley. Promoted Teams:Norwich City,Coventry,Stoke City. Year 7(29/30): League Winners:Lincoln City League Top Scorer:Fodé Ballo-Touré(Fulham) Relegated Teams:QPR,Stoke City,Swansea City. Promoted Teams:Sheffield United,Charlton Athletic,Ipswich Town. Year 8(30/31): League Winners:Brentford League Top Scorer:Jake Young(Swindon Town) Relegated Teams:Sheffield United,Swindon Town,Nottingham Forest. Promoted Teams:Chelsea,Aston Villa,Rotherham. Year 9(31/32): League Winners:Fulham League Top Scorer:E. Williams(Charlton Athletic) Relegated Teams:Charlton Athletic,Norwich City,Luton Town. Promoted Teams:Burnley,Birmingham,Reading. Year 10(32/33)its the last season folks!: League Winners:Sunderland League Top Scorer:Julian Brandt(Sunderland) Relegated Teams:Rotherham,Fulham,Arsenal. Promoted Teams:Manchester United,Manchester City,Wolves. So for the 33/34 season the 20 premier league teams are: Blackburn Rovers,Lincoln City,Brighton,Bristol City,Crystal Palace,Peterborough,Everton,Brentford,Sunderland,Liverpool,Coventry,Ipswich Town,Chelsea,Aston Villa,Burnley,Birmingham,Reading,Man City,Man Utd,Wolves. so a lots gonna change in the next 10 seasons according to the wheel

[@indianrunner666]

como se nota q sos yanki. Obvio q Ney tenía q ser número 1. Pero decir q Hazard podría haber sido mejor q Messi ahí sí te fuiste al pasto

[@jasonthomas4164]

first like and to comment

[@jincyvasudevan2780]

Am I the first view?

[@mothrakk8535]

Eden Hazard will be missed. Watching him in Chelsea Blue was poetry in motion at times

[@xxextension]

nice cat

[@StillAwesome21]

How Neymar wasn't Nr. 1 is beyond me, the hype around him was otherworldly! Every week my and my friends ran to YT to watch 360p highlights of Santos games.

[@atulrcks]

Most rankings are biased towards premier league

[@inahole2678]

@@atulrcksHazard was in Ligue 1 at the time

[@eethkoth3343]

@@inahole2678no, he went to chelsea in 2012

[@blablaproducties]

Maybe because Neymar had been on the radar since 08/09. Hazzard was the new kid on the block

[@SuperHoodization]

Because this is a list from Bleacher Report and we all know how terrible Bleacher Report is with soccer. Everybody treated Neymar as the second coming of Pele, except for Bleacher Report i guess...🤔

[@vulgar_oregano]

I wouldn't mind watching a review of another year... Or going through this year's top 20 wonderkids

[@samuelguadi9036]

Funny how Hazard and Neymar are top 2 and both having the same problem : not being a fitness psycho. There's a famous funny Hazard story. In 2012 the last game of the season was against Nancy. It was the time Hazard would be playing for Lille and the club was 100% assured to finish 3rd. The day before, Hazard invited players to drink a little. He winded up drinking all night and didn't slept at all. It was gameday, no sleep and hungover. He scored a hat-trick in 30 minutes. That's Hazard. Huge talent but never 100% focused on football and he never shied away from it.

[@DrZaius3141]

I don't think it's a coincidence. The 2010s was when social media really picked up, so the hype around players was a lot more tangible to them than anything in the time before. And getting hyped up that much and that directly will definitely impact your work ethic. 10 years earlier, the hype wasn't that big, 10 years later we are more aware of the hype cycle so more measures are taken to keep players like Mbappe or Haaland at least somewhat more grounded and focused.

[@jord.an6123]

Neymar also ruined any legacy he could have had by being a very very vocal Bolsonaro supporter. In brazil, anyone here who isnt a far-right bigot like neymar, is disgusted with him for politicising the canarinho (Our NT jersey). He used his platform, fame, and money to publicly campaign for a fascist & turned our yellow jersey into a symbol for bolosonaro-nutters. Such a shame that these players gain fame and love before the public even get the chance to learn what is in their hearts. The idea that young kids might fall into dangerous-hateful fundamentalist-Christian right wing politics, because they like neymar as a player, depresses me to no end. Anyways, just thought it was interesting to point out that one player on this list ruined his legacy entirely off the pitch

[@Daniel28704]

As an Ajax fan, I still have to skip the whole Moura section. I want to delete that man from my memory

[@bartterp88]

The pain and the disbelief still haunts me

[@Jef_Vermassen]

I think Eden's love of things beyond the sport is played up too much. Eden wasn't the same after that horrible tackle during Real vs PSG. What makes it even worse: by his fellow Belgian: Meunier. It probably didn't help how many times he got butchered on the field because of his playing style. Don't think 'fitness psycho' would have helped much. But we'll never know.

[@Thatboymeher]

It’s actually pretty sad how (ok Neymars story like he said is a bit different), but in Hazards case, he was FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, considered the “3rd” player behind Ronaldo and Messi (basically being the third best in the world when playing in Chelsea), but yea, we all know how that played out

[@yuma8251]

I will never forget theoment Andre Schürle made that pass to Götze. I mean everything what the German Commentator said during those 20 sekunds is embedded in my mind that I can say every word the commentator. said.

[@joel_hunter]

Crazy hoe many of these players are not around now or are way past their peak only 10 years later - what will become of jude Bellingham :)

[@Sportguy23]

As a Chelsea fan this thumbnail was offensive to me😭

[@PaddyMac]

Why? It shows he put in his best work in at Chelsea, then chilled when he left 😅😅

[@Sportguy23]

@@PaddyMac He left us so he could eat 6 big Mack’s in Spain 😩😭

[@jeffbobisaMAzIng]

I love these types of videos. What would be nice is an opposite video like a look at current world class players who weren’t wonderkids and tell their story

[@livwake]

Pretty solid list tbh

[@ilovelimpfries]

Just commenting to say that the New York football rivalry was epic. Probably my favourite video of yours.

[@liverbot4854]

I hope he covers more rivalries in the MLS. Galaxy vs LAFC and Columbus vs Cincinnati are good ones.

[@nayeemhasan2713]

@@liverbot4854 naah sounders vs timbers

[@Gwynbleidd1724]

Z content we love to see

[@CH33KYiZninj4]

as a chelsea fan, hazard was himself, he was fun to watch, im grateful for him.

[@stevejames6886]

It is honestly so sad to see the players here who either didn't live up to their expectations, made wrong career choices, or struggled with immense injuries. I always found Thiago's story interesting, he was arguably on path to become one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, and this paved him so many trophies and awards, ending up in a very strong Liverpool side, but I guess he didn't live up to that hype.

[@jakewren5369]

I feel like Hazard is too good to have had a streets will never forget career.

[@Avioto]

Link is broken guys

[@edi0157]

Amazing video, those were actually some good picks by Bleacher Report, all had at least a good career at the top level and they couldnt have predicted those Gotze, Welbeck etc injuries. Now for a couple of comments: 7:33 yeah, and had lost to the mighty Steaua that was still called that back in those days in the EL RO32 the previous season. Have to mention that in order to remind myself of the good old glory days…Fun fact, Schone also played in that match and missed his penalty in the shootout, 6 years later he went on to score that free kick at the Bernabeu we all know before getting knocked out by Moura s hattrick as you said. Honestly, fair play to Hazard and Neymar for not being that robotically focused on football and still carving out really impressive careers, they have proved it can still be done even in this day and age, isnt that the romantic vibe people talk about with the likes of Ronaldinho back in the old days? Inb4 some of you all reply that have seen Ronaldinho in his prime and feel old, sorry, sadly it was before my time. And I do feel that Neymar is getting a massive amount of disrespect just because he went to PSG instead of continuing to tear up world football as part of MSN but honestly that would have just been unfair if it kept going, I can definitely understand why he wanted to find a team that he could lead to glory as the main man. Imagine if he would have actually delivered on a CL with PSG, he would have been an instant legend in French football as a whole as much as it may pain Marseille fans especially to see PSG deliver on their ultimate aim. Hell, he still is a legend imo, him and Hazard have a very good argument for being the 3rd best player behind Messi and Ronaldo alongside Suarez and Lewa. I mean, top scorer for Brazil as you said? That is no joke, even with the trend being towards more and more games in football. Shame Hazard fell off so damn steeply, would have loved to see him do it for Real for a few seasons too before declining but it is what it is, some players would rather play with joy and there is no shame in that, still he was probably unlucky to be hit this hard that early, he was also butchered like crazy to be fair to him. That Meunier tackle that started it all…I forgot about that, thanks someone in the comments. Same with Neymar too, meanwhile some French refs were warning and carding him for “showboating” instead of the defenders fucking fouling him to pieces. Oscar….oh man, he was a great player in the PL, nice cards in fifa too even after he left Europe. Remember when we were all scared of the Chinese buying up everyone after that deal? Well they never quite did, that ended up their highest profile deal and it was nowhere near the Ronaldos, Neymars, Kantes, Manes etc the Saudis have managed now. People say the Saudis will fall off after a few seasons like the Chinese did. Those people forget why China stopped buying high profile foreigners like crazy in the first place. The government forbade businessmen from spending their money on foreign clubs (see Inter) and put in strict registration rules because they want to develop local talent for their NT. If they wanted to, they would still be buying big players. Guess we will see how that develops. Anyway, it has been nice looking over this list, now I am wondering about the ones that were below them…

[@cccalmaaa]

Literally just finished watching this video, looked at the Man City v Brighton game, and Danny Welbeck went down injured in the 16th minute

[@Taalsman]

I remeber when Welbeck was signed to Arsenal, he had scored 2 goals for Man Utd the season before, that same same season Mertesacker had scored 4 goals.

[@duyanvu1788]

I'd say Hazard was hugely unlucky at Real. Just when he started to click and mesh in with that team Meunier basically ended his career with a reckless tackle.

[@LewisMichael-wn9kg]

Shame Ph Ganso... The next Zidane who never get it. Maybe in some years we get another group of real history world class players. Its been almost 20 years without that. Football need it.

[@stanislavfedenko5812]

As a Chelsea fan I agree that Hazard was number #1. Yeah, partially because of the injuries, partially because of his laziness and regime neglecting, he didn’t manage to become the Ronaldo’s successor in Real Madrid and on the Ballon d’Or stage. And yet he had a career most could only dream of. In the other corner Neymar was supposed to replace Lionel in the same manner. Though he didn’t disappoint, neither did he really impress. Firstly, second to Messi, then, second to Mbappe, then the third in the trio.

[@dup2872]

Wheres the skin to fm24 man????????

[@YABORGHINI]

Pep Guardiola single handedly destroyed Götzes career. I wish Götze just stayed in Dortmund or just went to literally any team in the world where Guardiola isnt there to ruin it for him. I really think he couldve won Dortmund a champions league if he stayed.

[@bramusa]

Lucas Moura, biggest hero out there! Single-Handedly knocked-out Ajax out of UCL.

[@gm2407]

Zealand is like Daniel Levy. Every time Tottenham don't win a trophy Zealand makes a joke about it and both make bank.

[@MrKsholden]

Apparently Tottenham have released a new book... I cant tell you what's its called tho, it didn't come with a title XD

[@LeeRenthlei]

Santos and Barca Neymar was different gravy.

[@samjenkins2585]

I liked this video purely based on the Spurs trophy joke reference.

[@Lexngton]

Thiago wasn't on the 2013 Bayern roster.

[@ryanunderwoodmusicandvideo3675]

How can you talk about Thiago and not talk about LFC come on

[@hoodie5004]

Do a continent tournament and simulate the games and see who actually wins , it’ll be cool to see!

[@manuelcalavera7753]

love the Tottenh*m trophy jokes keep em coming

[@caleb.9]

yall can still turn to Christ God bless

[@daveysadler3795]

We need 4 more parts covering the rest

[@Adrian-fj7bd]

Neymar was always better than Hazard and had a way more potential so dont understsnd how he is behind

[@maxwellmeyer6482]

schürrle also retired due to stress/mental burnout.

[@TJATJA1982]

As an Arsenal fan, I always admired him when he played for Chel$ki. Top player.

[@itsjesseb]

Tottenham jokes are so dead

[@josedelgado4605]

Como

[@liamfiner7964]

Why is your channel called Zealand if you're neither Kiwi nor Dutch? No disrespect just curious.

[@ReeceTheEditor]

His name is actually Zealand

[@lordbendtner6404]

Why most wonder kid mostly flopping 😂

[@JustK4Y1512]

Because of the media pressure.

[@lordbendtner6404]

@@JustK4Y1512 and playing for top club before fully ready

[@JustK4Y1512]

@@lordbendtner6404 hoping this inevitable thing doesn’t happen to Lamine Yamal…..

[@calebbates6111]

Comparing Eden Hazard's Real Madrid form to Gareth Bale's Real Madrid form is wild, i'd have to disagree don't think its anywhere close to one another... Bale is clear.

[@RankinMsP]

Came out if curiousity, enjoyed the Tottenham jokes and will likely return. Good work.

[@heater1237]

Talks about Welbeck and his injuries. Then he comes off injured today. Haha

[@davidecasarano4880]

Eriksen won Serie A with Inter. The most important thing...

[@original01.21]

Great content man... Love from Brasil!!

[@solliskuxxswag]

Man we're getting old 😢

[@kylestowell8727]

My fiance liked this video. Keep up the good work, my fellow balding king

[@Lexngton]

Mario Götze wasn't on the 2018 Germany roster.

[@firstlast4592]

You look like Bella Thorne

[@kayonzo4833]

As a German this felt like a sweet throwback to 2014

[@Dave-jh7rj]

Neymar should be #1 😂😂😂😂 Lucas Moura was better to watch than that 🤡

[@fjcracing1318]

I had no idea who number 10 was at first then realised that Thiago had a second name 😂😂

[@philip4588]

Link do not work

[@SamButler22]

404 on that link to the list

[@ChrisHockman]

Champa Bay baby

[@jabuszkoliberalne]

2013 was 10 years ago? WTF

[@abdullahaanawaleh]

Great video, keep it up zealand.

[@jakovloncar3244]

Z Why do you hate United?

[@slavadamer1128]

Hey Z, have you played Soccer Manager 24 already?

[@Dorm_]

We need some FM24 content, where is it zea?!

[@Zeviza]

Disrespectful to liken Bale's time in Madrid with Hazard's 😮

[@ZealandonYT]

The end of it, not the whole time for sure

[@abcede3897]

Ofc, Bale alone won a bunch of matches for Real and Hazard was an injury voodoo.