Stories of players once tipped for the very top, and the careers that unfolded beyond the early headlines.
Explore the collectionA prolific La Masia forward who reached Barcelona’s first team as a teenager. Bojan later spoke openly about the anxiety that shaped his early career and the support he wished young players could receive.
A gifted Manchester United academy midfielder whose talent was praised by teammates and coaches. His senior career moved through several clubs rather than following the path once predicted for him.
Explore player profile The Guardian · 2019 (opens in a new tab)Milan signed Mastour at 14 and introduced him to a global audience as a prodigious teenager. The first-team breakthrough that many expected never arrived at the club.
Explore player profile The Guardian · 2020 (opens in a new tab)
Bojan Krkić
Midfielder
Attacker