10 footballers who never fulfilled their potential

#5 - Pablo Aimar:

Pablo Aimar vs Mexico - World Cup 2006

In terms of silverware, Pablo Aimar's career was not too bad. Three Argentinian league titles, two La Liga titles, four Portuguese league triumphs, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Supercup are nothing to be ashamed of, after all.

However, Aimar's early days were far more impressive than the second half of his career. After winning World Cup under 20 with Argentina, he was considered by many as Diego Maradona's heir. His best moments were without any doubt during his spell at Valencia, in between 2001 and 2006, where he helped Los Che reach the Champions League final, and fight Barcelona and Real Madrid toe-to-toe in many league campaigns.

But it is in 2005, after Italian tactician Claudio Ranieri replaced Rafa Benitez, that Aimar's career started going downhill. Being benched for tactical reasons as well picking up several injuries as soon as he was started to retrieve his place, the Argentinian soon found himself searching for a new club.

His next destination would be Real Zaragoza in 2006, but despite showing traits of greatness, the guy who once was Lionel Messi's footballing-idol, became a shadow of himself.

#4 - Robinho:

Robinho vs Netherlands: 2010 FIFA World Cup - Quarter Finals

Until this day, Santos scouts insist that Robinho is the biggest talent they have ever discovered. Even bigger than Neymar, they confirm. The Paris Saint Germain star grew up idolizing Robinho, just like many other current footballers such as Eden Hazard, Gabigol and Vinicius Junior.

After winning two league titles with Santos, Robinho joined Real Madrid in 2006, where he entertained the fans with his magical skills and dazzling dribbles. The Brazilian played an essential role in helping Madrid claim two La Liga titles in 2007 and 2008, before joining Manchester City.

In England, Robinho's end-product did not match the fashion of his dribbling abilities, and he was criticized by many, before securing a move to Italian giants AC Milan. Robinho shone in his beginnings at Milan, where he won the Serie A as well as the Supercup, but his form quickly dropped as he failed to maintain consistency in his performances and eventually returned to Brazil.

His European club-career was plenty of ups and downs, but despite that, Robinho was constantly one of the best performers for Brazil's national team, having won two Confederations Cup titles, as well as the Copa América in 2007, as the top scorer and best player of the tournament, after crushing Argentina 3-0 in the final.

Robinho has had a lot of great moments in his career, but it is still too little for someone who was considered to be the new Pelé. He is regarded as a flop by many, mainly because he never lived up to the expecations of being the best player in the world.

And he only has himself and his lack of professionalism to blame, as he prioritized partying over hard work.