What became of the 11 players with the highest potential in FIFA 07?
Looking back at the list of under-21 players with the highest potential in FIFA 07 is pretty fascinating, even nearly 20 years later. For those who don’t know, FIFA games usually came out around late September or early October, just as the real soccer seasons were kicking off, often after a busy World Cup.
Before FIFA 07 launched, the 2006 World Cup gave us some unforgettable moments—like Cristiano Ronaldo’s cheeky wink after Wayne Rooney was sent off in that intense Portugal vs. England quarter-final. The tournament also showcased some amazing young talents, including several who got high potential ratings in FIFA 07, like a young Theo Walcott.
So, how did these promising players’ careers turn out? Did they become legends?
Take Lionel Messi, for example. Back then, he was already making waves at Barcelona, and since then, he’s become one of the greatest ever—winning eight Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League titles, ten La Liga trophies, six European Golden Shoes, and a World Cup. Now 38, he plays for Inter Miami and is aiming for another World Cup win this summer in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Theo Walcott had a breakthrough season with Arsenal after being picked for England’s World Cup squad. He was one of the top-rated players in FIFA 07. Over 12 years with Arsenal, he played 397 games and scored 108 goals. After playing for Everton and Southampton, he retired in 2023 and will be working as a BBC pundit at this summer’s World Cup.
One of the surprises on the list is Salomon Kalou. He had just signed for Chelsea from Feyenoord for around £8 million when FIFA 07 gave him a 93 potential rating. Kalou scored 60 goals in 254 matches for Chelsea during six years and later played for Lille, Hertha Berlin, Botafogo, and Association Sportive d’Arta in Djibouti. He retired in 2024 and now runs his own chocolate business named after the town where he grew up.
Sergio Aguero joined Atletico Madrid from Independiente in 2006 and was already seen as one of the best young players. He scored 73 goals for Atletico before moving to Manchester City, where he became the club’s all-time top scorer with 204 goals. He retired at 33 due to heart issues and has since become involved in esports as a streamer and entrepreneur.
Wayne Rooney was fresh off his 2006 World Cup performances when EA Sports gave him a 93 potential rating. Rooney went on to become Manchester United’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals, breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s record. He finished his career at Derby County and now joins Theo Walcott as a BBC pundit for the upcoming World Cup.
At 20, Sergio Ramos was already a regular at Real Madrid after joining from Sevilla. Nearly two decades later, he’s seen as one of Madrid’s greatest defenders, playing 671 games and winning four Champions League titles. Though he last played for Monterrey in Mexico, he’s currently searching for a new club after his planned takeover of Sevilla fell through.
Cristiano Ronaldo, then a Manchester United star, got a 92 potential rating in FIFA 07. Along with Messi, he’s become a football legend, winning five Ballon d’Ors, five Champions League titles, and seven league championships across England, Spain, and Italy. Now 41 and playing for Al Nassr, he’s close to hitting 1,000 career goals—an almost unbeatable record.
Benoit Gourcuff moved to AC Milan and was thought to be the next Zidane, earning the same high rating as Ronaldo in FIFA 07. Sadly, his career didn’t live up to that promise. He played only 36 league matches for Milan before moving back to France, retiring in 2020. Since then, he’s enjoyed a quiet life with his family in Brittany.
Lukas Podolski won the young player award at the 2006 World Cup after shining for Germany. He joined Bayern Munich but didn’t make much impact, returning to Cologne in 2009. He then signed for Arsenal in 2012, scoring 31 goals in 82 games. Podolski went on to play in Turkey, Japan, and Poland, where he still plays and also owns a successful kebab chain in Germany.
Vincent Kompany joined Hamburg in 2006 and got a 92 potential rating in FIFA 07. After 39 games there, he moved to Manchester City, becoming one of the Premier League’s best defenders over 11 years with four league titles. Now 40, he’s the head coach of Bayern Munich and known as a talented young manager.
Nilmar, a well-known name in FIFA circles, was the top scorer in the 2006 Copa Libertadores and was expected to have a bright future. He played for teams in Brazil, Spain, Qatar, and more before retiring in 2017. He earned 24 caps for Brazil during his career.
It’s amazing to see how these young stars from nearly 20 years ago have lived out their careers—some reaching legendary status, others finding success off the field or in new roles within the game.