FIFA 19 Future Stars: From Virtual Potential to Real-World Success
Remember the buzz around FIFA 19 and its ‘Future Stars’ selection? Back in 2019, the popular football video game, now known as EAFC, highlighted 21 young talents predicted to take the football world by storm. Every year, fans eagerly anticipate the latest edition from EA Sports, keen to discover the next generation of footballing stars within the game’s Ultimate Team mode. FIFA 19 was no exception, and its ‘Future Stars’ list was packed with names that ignited excitement and anticipation among football enthusiasts.
This prestigious list wasn’t just a random selection; it was FIFA’s prediction of players destined for greatness. Among the chosen few were individuals who have since become household names in football. Think of Real Madrid’s electrifying winger, Vinicius Jr., Liverpool’s creative full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Manchester City’s midfield maestro, Phil Foden. These players, among 18 others, were earmarked as the future elite of the beautiful game. Let’s revisit this list and see how accurate FIFA’s crystal ball truly was and explore the journeys these promising youngsters have taken since their virtual ‘Future Star’ status.
For some of these young prodigies, the ‘Future Star’ tag proved prophetic. Vinicius Jr. stands as a prime example. The Brazilian winger has blossomed into a global superstar, consistently delivering dazzling performances for Real Madrid and even securing second place in the prestigious 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, only behind Rodri. Similarly, Trent Alexander-Arnold has cemented his place as one of Liverpool’s all-time best right-backs. His exceptional passing range and attacking prowess have made him a crucial asset for the Reds, and recent transfer rumours even suggest a potential big-money move to Real Madrid – a testament to his elevated status in world football.
However, the path to stardom isn’t always linear, and not every ‘Future Star’ fully realized the predicted hype. While some soared, others faced challenges and detours in their careers. Players like Brazilian midfielder Arthur, once touted for big things at Barcelona, Italian forward Patrick Cutrone, and Serbian striker Luka Jovic have experienced varying degrees of struggle in recent years. Their careers haven’t quite followed the trajectory anticipated when they were named ‘Future Stars,’ highlighting the unpredictable nature of football development and the myriad factors influencing a player’s journey. It’s a reminder that potential is only the starting point, and sustained success requires resilience, adaptability, and a bit of luck.
The FIFA 19 Future Stars Roster: Where Are They Now?
Let’s delve into the complete list of 21 players crowned as ‘Future Stars’ in FIFA 19 and trace their career paths to the present day:
- Vinicius Jr – Real Madrid: Remains at Real Madrid and has become a world-class player.
- Matthijs de Ligt – Ajax (Now at Manchester United): Moved to Juventus before joining Manchester United, a key defender but yet to fully recapture Ajax form.
- Houssem Aouar – Lyon (Now at Al Ittihad): After a long stint at Lyon, he moved to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Career trajectory somewhat plateaued compared to initial expectations.
- Alban Lafont – Fiorentina (Now at Nantes): Returned to France with Nantes, a consistent goalkeeper in Ligue 1 but not yet reached top European club level consistently.
- Jadon Sancho – Borussia Dortmund (Now on loan at Chelsea from Manchester United): Big-money move to Manchester United didn’t pan out; currently on loan at former club Dortmund, seeking to rediscover form.
- Arthur – Barcelona (Now on loan at Girona from Juventus): Moved to Juventus and then on loan to Girona. Injuries and inconsistent form have hampered his progress.
- Kai Havertz – Bayer Leverkusen (Now at Arsenal): Joined Chelsea and then Arsenal, showing flashes of brilliance but still looking for consistent top-level impact.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool: Still at Liverpool, evolved into a world-class right-back and key player.
- Patrick Cutrone – AC Milan (Now at Como): Career has taken a less prominent path; currently playing for Como in Italy.
- Rodrigo Bentancur – Juventus (Now at Tottenham Hotspur): Moved to Tottenham, a solid midfielder in the Premier League.
- Phil Foden – Manchester City: Remains at Manchester City, developed into a crucial player and England international.
- Luka Jovic – Eintracht Frankfurt (Now at AC Milan): Big move to Real Madrid was unsuccessful; now at AC Milan, trying to revive his goalscoring form.
- Dayot Upamecano – RB Leipzig (Now at Bayern Munich): Moved to Bayern Munich and is a starting centre-back for the German giants.
- Alejandro Grimaldo – Benfica (Now at Bayer Leverkusen): Joined Bayer Leverkusen, a key attacking full-back in the Bundesliga.
- Davide Calabria – AC Milan (Now on loan at Bologna – *Correction: Still at AC Milan*): Still with AC Milan as club captain and a consistent performer.
- Eder Militao – FC Porto (Now at Real Madrid): Moved to Real Madrid, established himself as a first-choice centre-back before injury.
- Benjamin Mendy – Lyon (Now at FC Zurich): Career significantly impacted by off-field issues; now playing for FC Zurich.
- Justin Kluivert – AS Roma (Now at Bournemouth): Moved to Bournemouth after various loan spells, seeking stability in the Premier League.
- Matteo Guendouzi – Arsenal (Now at Lazio): Moved to Marseille and then Lazio after leaving Arsenal, established himself in Serie A.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Everton: Remains at Everton, injuries have impacted his consistency, but still a key striker when fit.
- Achraf Hakimi – Borussia Dortmund (Now at Paris Saint-Germain): Moved to Inter Milan and then Paris Saint-Germain, one of the world’s best attacking right-backs.
In conclusion, the FIFA 19 ‘Future Stars’ list offers a fascinating glimpse into the unpredictable journey of young football talent. While some, like Vinicius Jr., Alexander-Arnold, and Foden, have exceeded expectations and reached the pinnacle of the sport, others have faced setbacks and taken different paths. This retrospective underscores that predicting future success in football is an inexact science, and while in-game potential can be a fun projection, real-world careers are shaped by a complex interplay of skill, opportunity, and resilience.
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