The 10 most overhyped footballers of all time

#6 – Andres D’Alessandro

Andres D'Alessandro just couldn't cut it in Europe

Plenty of Argentinian playmakers have been labelled as the “next Diego Maradona”, and of course, excusing Lionel Messi, none of them have come close. The likes of Ariel Ortega, Juan Roman Riquelme and Pablo Aimar at least showed some fleeting glimpses and went on to fruitful careers, but Andres D’Alessandro simply couldn’t cut it outside of his native South America.

D’Alessandro came through the ranks at River Plate alongside the afore-mentioned Aimar and another hyped-up star in Javier Saviola. Recognised as one of the best young playmakers in the country, the “new Maradona” hype was immediately thrust upon him and he made a move to German club Wolfsburg in 2003 for a then-club record of just over £7m. But in three seasons there he only delivered 10 goals and never came close to living up to his potential.

A weird loan move to struggling Premier League side Portsmouth didn’t help him, neither did a move to La Liga with Real Zaragoza. His critics blamed his inability to actually deliver goals or assists, and also a questionable attitude, something that landed him in hot water with coaches during his time in Spain. By 2008 he’d joined Brazilian side Internacional, and while he won a handful of honours there, the “new Maradona” tag was long gone along with his hype.