Football is a realm of unpredictability, where players’ fortunes can shift dramatically within the blink of an eye. One moment, a talented athlete might be basking in the glory of the highest-stakes matches in prestigious leagues, celebrated by cultured fans. Yet, instantly, that same player could find themselves scrambling for playing time, their dreams dimming as they transition from the limelight of elite divisions to the shadows of lesser-known tiers.
For many observers, tracking these forgotten talents serves not only as a nostalgic journey through the stories of the sport but also as an opportunity to hone their value betting strategies in leagues that may otherwise remain under the radar, adding depth and insight to their understanding of the game.
James Rodriguez
A name that will ring a bell for most football fans after his 2014 World Cup campaign, earning the top scorer award over the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar. Excelling in the World Cup for his country, Colombia, inspired Galactico giants, Real Madrid, to pay ÂŁ63 million for him, making him the most expensive Colombian footballer transfer in history. During his time at Real Madrid, he saw a promising start, which was compromised by injuries he could not avoid and the eventual competition, which saw him drop out of the starting XI.
After struggling to impress the legendary Zinedine Zidane, James was loaned to German superclub Bayern Munich, where he again failed to set the world alight. After returning to Real Madrid, he left for England to rejoin Carlo Ancelotti, the manager who got the most out of James, at Everton. Although it was a surprising move for football fans, James started strong in the English top flight but struggled with fitness. After Ancellotti left Everton, he soon followed with his transfer to Al-Rayyan in Qatar. A money-motivated move, making him one of the first World Cup Golden Boot winners to play in Asia. Most recently, James Rodriguez has been seen at the Mexican top-flight team, Club LeĂłn, with 13 appearances, scoring just twice and providing six assists.
Santi Cazorla
A Spanish technical genius who came through the ranks at Real Oviedo, the club where he has returned to recently after 19 years. Between times in the north of Spain, Santi Cazorla took his talents to Villarreal, where he earned his first international cap for Spain. In 2011, Santi Cazorla moved to Malaga for 21 million euros, which set a record for the club. A short spell at Malaga positioned Europe’s biggest clubs looking for the midfielder’s signature, but it was Arsenal who signed Santi Cazorla.
This was the club where he broadcast his skills to the world. In his first year with the Gunners, Cazorla registered 13 assists, making him Arsenal’s player of the year. In 2014, he cemented his status as a fan favourite by scoring a crucial free kick in the FA Cup final, which helped Arsenal end their nine year trophy drought. At 38 years old, Santi Cazorla returned to his boyhood club after nearly 20 years away, where you would find him playing today at 40 years old in Spain’s second tier, trying to drag the club to LaLiga. Although Santi may have lost some pace and stamina, he has kept his technical ability as he sits in the 99th percentile for chances created compared to other midfielders/wingers in the division.
Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva is a determined defender who consistently displays a high skill level and rarely shows any weaknesses in his game. As a natural leader on and off the pitch, he is an excellent role model for younger players. Having captained multiple clubs and his national team, he brings much experience to the field. Silva is a formidable physical presence, boasting remarkable speed and strength that challenge any opponent.
Now at 40, the Brazilian centre-back finds himself back at Fluminense, battling it out in the increasingly competitive SĂ©rie A. This iconic player has fulfilled every aspiring footballer’s dream by competing in and winning some of the world’s most prestigious trophies, including the Copa America and the UEFA Champions League, before returning to the club where it all began. Throughout his extensive career, Silva significantly impacted Europe’s top leagues with stints at clubs like Chelsea, Porto, AC Milan, and, most notably, PSG, where he earned the Ligue 1 title in all but one of his eight seasons in France. After an illustrious career, Thiago Silva decided it was time to step away from top-level football in Europe. In 2024, he signed with his hometown club, Fluminense, where he continues to play a vital role as team captain.
Juan Mata
Juan Mata is a name that all Premier League football enthusiasts will remember fondly. Mata was a creative attacking midfielder who was comfortable playing on both flanks. His technical ability was sensational, especially in tight spaces with his control and dribbling.
Like Santi Cazorla, the Spaniard began his youth career at Real Oviedo. The promising talents he showed at the academy of Real Oviedo gained interest from Real Madrid, who signed him to their academy. During his time at Los Blancos, he failed to make a first-team appearance; however, he played 39 times, netting on nine occasions for Real Madrid Castilla. His performances for Madrid’s second team brought interest from top-flight side Valencia, who triggered his release clause.
At Valencia, Juan Mata found his feet and revealed his ability and potential to the world. He played 129 times, scoring 33 times, including a goal against his former team, Real Madrid. His performances gained interest from several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, who signed the midfielder in 2011. Mata joined the Blues for £23.5 million, taking the iconic number 10. Mata’s time at Chelsea included honours like the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Europa League. Mata then left for fellow English top-flight contenders Manchester United in 2014 for £37.1 million. He claimed his second FA Cup and UEFA Europa League medals at Manchester United.
Currently, Mata applies his trade in Australia with Western Sydney Wanderers, signing for the club in 2024 ahead of the start of the A-League season. On the 1st of January, he bagged his first goal for the club in a 3-2 loss.
