10 Most Overrated Players in Football Ranked

In football, some players are seen as over-hyped, falling short of the lofty expectations placed on them. Whether fairly or unfairly, they are judged by the weight of those expectations. A player might be considered overrated for various reasons—whether it's failing to live up to early promise, not justifying a hefty transfer fee, or coasting on past reputation.

Football is a sport filled with differing opinions, and it's impossible for everyone to agree. However, this list is backed by stats and insights from various pundits. Several high-profile players continue to divide opinion, with some sections of the football community branding them overrated, while others remain devoted fans, sparking ongoing debate.

Ranking factors

When compiling a list of the most overrated players, certain factors must be considered, and some names may spark debate. However, by utilizing stats and other findings, Betimate aims to present a strong case for each player mentioned. Here's a breakdown of the ranking factors:

• Expectations: The level of hype surrounding a player at the start of their career or after a big transfer.
• Stats: Key performance metrics that either support or undermine the player's perceived impact.
• Reputation: How highly regarded a player was when they first emerged or after a key transfer.
• Success: The player’s accomplishments on the biggest stages.
• Perception in the Football World: How the player is viewed by fans, pundits, and fellow players.

The rankings take into account not just individual stats, but also how well each player has lived up to their potential and whether the weight of expectations has prevented them from delivering on the biggest stage. Younger players may rank lower on the list, as they still have time to fulfill their promise. With all this in mind, here is Betimate’s ranking of the top 10 most overrated football players today.

10. Alvaro Morata

AC Milan

Álvaro Morata burst onto the scene with immense potential, and it may have been unfair to place such heavy expectations on his young shoulders. His early performances at Real Madrid were impressive, leading many to believe he could be Spain’s next great forward.

However, as a striker, Morata has consistently fallen short in the area that matters most: scoring goals. Despite playing for some of Europe’s biggest clubs and alongside top-tier playmakers, he has never managed to score more than 15 league goals in a single season.

Now 31 and entering the twilight of his career, Morata has yet to reach the heights many expected. Whether he can fulfill his potential in his remaining years remains uncertain, but based on his career so far, it seems unlikely. Even so, another top club, AC Milan, turned to him this summer, hoping he can still make an impact.

9. Victor Osimhen

Galatasaray (On loan from Napoli)

When Napoli received a bid exceeding €200 million from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for Victor Osimhen in the summer of 2023, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis scoffed, suggesting that sum would only cover one of Osimhen's feet. The Nigerian striker stayed in Naples but has struggled to replicate the outstanding form he showed during their title-winning campaign.

Osimhen isn’t alone in experiencing a sharp decline at Napoli, but his incredible 2022-23 season as Serie A’s top scorer now seems like an outlier. His career has been plagued by injuries, and he's only managed to start 30 league games in a season once. While his raw talent is undeniable, whether he justifies such an astronomical price tag is more debatable. Now on loan at Galatasaray in the Turkish Super League, Osimhen will be determined to prove his critics wrong.

8. Marcus Rashford

Manchester United

Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old and was quickly tipped for greatness. The English forward made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his Manchester United debut in a Europa League match against FC Midtjylland. As is often the case with young players who start strong, the media attention was intense, which can sometimes harm a player's development if they’re not prepared to handle the pressure at such a young age.

Unfortunately for Rashford, he hasn’t quite lived up to the early hype. Some would argue that despite his inconsistent form, the same level of praise persists. For a forward once expected to regularly challenge the Premier League's top scorers, Rashford has only surpassed 10 league goals in four seasons and has never hit the 20-goal mark, a stat that many consider disappointing for someone of his potential.

Despite having been in the spotlight for years, Rashford is still only 26, leaving time for him to reach the heights once expected. However, his inconsistency has drawn criticism from various corners of the football world. After Manchester United's 1-0 loss to Newcastle in December 2023, former Liverpool player and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher criticized Rashford's attitude, questioning his effort and comparing him unfavorably to teammate Anthony Martial:

"For Rashford, and myself and Gerrard at Liverpool, it’s your job to fix it and lift others with you. Watching Rashford, he reminds me of Martial, and that’s the worst thing you can say about him. A foreign player comes in and doesn’t really care. Rashford now looks like Martial. As a local player, it's your responsibility to keep running for that badge and your supporters, because you're supposedly one of them."

7. Jordan Henderson

Ajax

Jordan Henderson has long been a divisive figure, sparking debates whenever he's selected for the England squad. Liverpool supporters often praised him during his time at Anfield, perhaps more than others in the football world, and he remains a player who will continue to polarize opinions for years to come. When Henderson arrived from Sunderland, he was expected to follow in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard. Even Gerrard himself once wondered if Henderson could be his successor, but those lofty comparisons ultimately proved unrealistic.

Henderson’s impressive tally of eight trophies in 12 years at Liverpool obscures the fact that he never reached the level many hoped for. With over 600 appearances in his career, Henderson is still far from a half-century of goals—hardly stellar numbers, especially when compared to the legendary Gerrard. For much of his career, Henderson has played in an advanced midfield role, where the expectation is to contribute with goals and assists. Yet, his offensive output has often fallen short of those demands.

The constant comparisons to Gerrard may have stunted Henderson's development, preventing him from evolving into one of the world’s top players in his position. To date, he has only managed to record more than 10 assists in a single season once, a disappointing return for a player in his role. Henderson's conservative style of play, particularly for England, has frustrated fans who believe he’s capable of much more. Ultimately, while successful, Henderson never quite became the attacking force he was expected to be.

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6. Romelu Lukaku

Napoli

Romelu Lukaku is a player who often baffles and amazes in equal measure. The former Manchester United striker can display moments of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency, sometimes within the same play. While he divides opinions among fans, club owners have consistently placed their faith in him, as evidenced by the astronomical combined transfer fees he's commanded throughout his career.

Lukaku, a product of Anderlecht's renowned academy, has often thrived when free from overwhelming expectations. Former Everton executive Steve Walsh once described him as a "big baby" when warning Jose Mourinho about the Belgian's fragile mentality. Yet, under Antonio Conte at Inter Milan, Lukaku flourished, with Conte knowing exactly how to unlock his potential and turn him into one of Serie A's most lethal strikers.

In 2021, Chelsea paid £97.5 million to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge, but the reunion was short-lived. After a brief honeymoon period, the relationship soured, leading to several loan spells before Lukaku was finally sold to Napoli this past summer. Despite his undeniable talent, Lukaku remains an enigma—capable of incredible highs, but often struggling to maintain consistency under the weight of expectations.

5. Mykhailo Mudryk

Chelsea

Mykhailo Mudryk was one of the most high-profile signings of Chelsea's Todd Boehly era, arriving in January 2023 for an eye-watering £88.5 million. At just 21 years old at the time, that kind of price tag immediately placed immense pressure on the young winger to deliver. In football, where patience is often in short supply, the expectations were sky-high from the start.

Mudryk joined from Shakhtar Donetsk, where his potential had caught the attention of top clubs across Europe. However, his numbers at Shakhtar weren't particularly eye-catching—his goal contributions were relatively modest, and that trend has unfortunately continued during his time at Chelsea. Despite flashes of his undoubted talent, he has struggled to make a consistent impact in front of goal.

At 23, Mudryk still has plenty of time to silence his critics and live up to the enormous potential many see in him. The challenge now falls to Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's manager, to help unlock Mudryk's best form and significantly improve his contributions to the team. The early signs, though, suggest that Mudryk's development will need more time than initially expected.

4. Antony

Manchester United

After shining in the Eredivisie, Antony's £82 million move from Ajax to Manchester United came with massive expectations. The Brazilian winger promised plenty, but so far has failed to deliver. While Antony can't control the hefty price tag, it has inevitably added pressure, and he has struggled to live up to it during his time at Old Trafford.

Antony risks becoming one of the Premier League's biggest flops. His trademark tricks and flicks often lead to him losing possession, frustrating Manchester United fans. His tenure has also been overshadowed by off-field issues, further complicating his future with the club. It increasingly seems likely that United may cut their losses on the winger.

Some argue Antony's struggles are confidence-related, as he looks a shadow of the player who once attracted attention from Europe’s top clubs while at Ajax. However, there’s also a case to be made that the leap from the Eredivisie to the Premier League has exposed gaps in his game. Even Erik ten Hag, his former Ajax manager, has seemingly lost faith, with Antony featuring only twice this season.

3. Gianluigi Donnarumma

PSG

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been in the spotlight since making his debut for AC Milan at just 16 years old. The second-youngest goalkeeper ever to play in Italian football transferred to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, which diminished the goodwill he had built at his boyhood club. Dubbed 'Dollarumma' by disgruntled Milan fans, he may not be favored at San Siro, but he has garnered a high reputation elsewhere that some argue isn't entirely deserved.

Despite being named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020, Donnarumma has struggled with confidence, especially when playing the ball out from the back. This vulnerability has been exacerbated by the style implemented by PSG coach Luis Enrique in the summer of 2023. In April 2024, during a Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona, he conceded three goals, drawing widespread criticism for a shaky performance. There have been numerous instances where he has looked uncertain in goal, yet he is still widely regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

2. Joao Felix

Chelsea

João Félix is a curious case: a player with undeniable flair and talent who has yet to make a significant impact in terms of major trophy wins. He began his career at Benfica before securing a high-profile transfer to Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a staggering £111 million. However, his relationship with the club deteriorated after a fallout with Diego Simeone. What was initially seen as a move that could propel Félix to the status of one of the world's best players has not materialized.

After loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona, he joined Stamford Bridge permanently this past summer. Now, there are considerable doubts about his ability to settle in at his new club and consistently demonstrate his potential. His attitude has tarnished his reputation, and his stock has diminished significantly. It remains to be seen whether Enzo Maresca can unlock Félix's best form and help him regain his standing in the football world.

1. Neymar

Al-Hilal

Neymar's inclusion at the top of this list may come as a surprise to many, but a closer examination of his career reveals why he earns this distinction. When he emerged at Santos, the Brazilian sensation was heralded as a potential rival to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with some even suggesting he could surpass Pelé. These were immense expectations, perhaps the highest a young player could face.

While some players thrive under such pressure—like Messi, often dubbed the next Diego Maradona—Neymar's journey has been marked by inconsistency. His attitude has been scrutinized multiple times throughout his career, and his trophy haul is surprisingly modest for a player of his caliber. Despite his fame, Neymar has only won the Champions League once and has just one major international title with Brazil—the Confederations Cup in 2013—which hardly compares to Pelé's legacy.

After a strong five-season stretch with Barcelona and PSG, Neymar's performance has seen a noticeable decline. The true greats maintain their elite status consistently, while Neymar has often been perceived as an elite player without fully reaching that level. Although his talent is undeniable, the lofty expectations set during his time at Santos have led to a perception of him being overrated throughout his career.