Teen idols: how they rate

Standard Sport14 April 2012
Teen who made it

DIEGO MARADONA: Despite his sad decline into the drug addiction which threatens his life, Maradona remains the best example of a prodigy who fulfilled his potential. From the day he attended his first training session at Cebollitas as a 10-yearold, his talent was obvious for all to see. He became the inspiration for an entire nation, almost single-handedly leading a modest Argentina team to a World Cup triumph in 1986, including a 2-1 victory over England in the quarter-final, and nearly repeating the trick four years later.

Teen who didn't

NII LAMPTEY: This Ghanaian wonderkid was described by Pele as his natural successor - bold words based on his superb performances at the 1991 World Youth Cup when he was voted player of the tournament ahead of Juan Veron and Alessandro del Piero. Lamptey was smuggled away to Europe where he played for Anderlecht at the age of 15 and became the top scorer in Holland in his first season with PSV Eindhoven. The upward spiral came to an abrupt end with spells at Aston Villa and Coventry before a dramatic freefall that has seen him ply his trade in seven countries in three continents. He is currently looking for a club in Ghana.

Teen who might

FREDDY ADU: The Ghanaian-born striker must surely be the most hyped 14-year-old on the planet, having earned comparisons with baseball legend Babe Ruth before making his professional debut in America earlier this year. Whether Adu can lead American soccer into a Brave New World remains to be seen but he has made a decent start, scoring in his third game for DC United. Chelsea are still tracking his progress after talks last summer but, for the moment, the starlet seems determined to stay with his mother in the States.

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