The Ultimate Throwback: Where are the Next Generation of Talent from 2015 Now?
It’s 2023, and you’re wondering what happened to the crop of talented players from the 2015 Next Generation list? Look no further! We’re diving into the past to find out where these phenomenal footballers are now and what their careers have become.
First up, some of the notable players that have established themselves on the international stage include Luca Fernandez, Fabian Benko, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Felix Passlack, Reza Shekari, Ritsu Doan, Sidiki Maiga, Pablo López, Ulises Torres, and Martin Odegaard. These guys have not only made names for themselves but have become stars in their respective teams and countries.
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Some talented individuals, like Davor Lovren, Dominik Smekal, Sandi Lovric, Panos Armenakas, Ismail Azzaoui, Haviv Ohayon, and İbrahim Demirbağ, didn’t quite reach the pinnacle of their careers. What went wrong? Did they lack consistency, or were there too many factors that led to their downfall? These stories are just as important to explore, for we can learn from failure just as much as from success.
The Squad
To give you an idea of where these next-generation players are now, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list for you:
| Player | Current Club/Country |
|---|---|
| Franco Lopez | Argentine side Canuelas (free agent) |
| Tomás Conechny | La Liga club Deportivo Alavés |
| Panos Armenakas | USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC |
| Sandi Lovric | Serie A outfit Udinese |
| Ismail Azzaoui | Azerbaijan Premier League outfit Araz-Naxçıvan |
| Evander Ferreira | Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers |
| Lincoln | Turkish side Fenerbahce |
| Matheus Pereira | Spanish club Eibar |
| Jesus Marimon | Colombian side Deportes Quindío |
| Davor Lovren | Free agent (last played for Croatian side Kustošija) |
| Dominik Smekal | Czech third division club Hlu |
| ín (free agent) | |
| Jacob Bruun Larsen | Bundesliga club Hoffenheim |
| Kaan Kairinen | Czech First League side Sparta Prague |
| Bilal Boutobba | Ligue 2 club Clermont |
| Dayot Upamecano | Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich |
| Dayot Upamecano (son) | Free agent (last played for Swiss club Lausanne Sport) |
The Real Deal
Some of these players, like Federico Valverde, Josupe Maricic, Hachim Mastour, and Christian Pulisic, have broken through and become household names. Then there are players like Jefferson Savarino, Ander Barrentxea, and Rizza Rakhimov who are doing well but need more consistency to reach their full potential.
Following the Money
The ever-influential transfer market plays a significant role in the fate of these youngsters. When we look back at 2015’s Next Generation list, how many players have made millions from big-money moves?
For some, like Pulisic and Valverde, the transfer merry-go-round has been generous. The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović and other top-tier earners should not be forgotten for the money they’ve pocketed in their careers. Money plays a significant factor, as it does, in professional football.
We must be honest, a majority of these players struggle to secure consistent playing time and sometimes find themselves released, becoming free agents with uncertain futures. The Next Generation of 2015 holds no guarantees, merely offering tantalizing glimpses of a promising future before fading away.
Wrapping It Up
Time is precious, and some players get left behind by the passage of time, losing that crucial momentum they had earlier in their careers. A few have maintained the intensity, while most fade away, leaving little but an afterthought about what might have been. Their journey is a tough lesson about the harsh reality of football.
Takeaway:
The football world continues to evolve; stars come and go; the never-ending cycle persists. There’s no escape from failure, but understanding why a player’s story unraveled can help improve their circumstances. We take it all in stride at 90min, eager to dig deeper into this enigmatic world of our favorite pastime.
And there you have it – where are the Next Generation of Talent from 2015 Now? Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates, because that’s what we’re here for!