Footballs greatest-ever players and their worst-ever seasons

 

Footballs greatest-ever players and their worst-ever seasons They've claimed World Cups, Champions Leagues, and Ballon d’Ors, yet even these football icons have endured seasons where everything fell apart. From scoring slumps to injury-plagued campaigns, here's how the game's biggest stars can briefly lose their spark:

Luka Modrić – 2012/13 (Real Madrid)

Branded the “worst signing of the season” by Marca after a sluggish start at Real Madrid, Modrić found it tough to shine under José Mourinho, scoring only 2 goals in La Liga. A decade later, he’s a Ballon d’Or winner and a Real Madrid legend. Quite the turnaround for a so-called flop.

Neymar – 2019/20 (PSG) Hampered by injuries, suspensions, and relentless transfer rumors, Neymar had a rocky season, featuring in just 15 league games. Despite this, he shone brightly in the Champions League, propelling PSG to their inaugural final.

Roberto Baggio – 1995/96 (AC Milan) Baggio struggled to mesh with Fabio Capello’s disciplined AC Milan squad, managing only 7 goals and often warming the bench. Despite the challenges, he earned a Serie A title and maintained his reputation for elegance under pressure.

Andrés Iniesta – 2014/15 (Barcelona) Statistically quieter, with no goals in 30 La Liga games, Iniesta’s role evolved, not declined, as he shared with the Guardian. Dropping deeper, he orchestrated play with subtle brilliance. Barcelona? They claimed the treble.

Zlatan Ibrahimović – 2017/18 (Manchester United) After a serious knee injury, Zlatan struggled to reclaim his peak form, managing only seven league appearances before transferring to LA Galaxy. True to his flair, he marked his Galaxy debut with a stunning goal.

George Best – 1977/78 (Fulham) Teaming up with Rodney Marsh, Best’s stint at Fulham felt more like a theatrical performance than a footballing revival. His play was inconsistent, his lifestyle erratic, yet flashes of brilliance persisted despite fading physical prowess.

Johan Cruyff – 1980/81 (Levante) At 33, Cruyff joined Levante in Spain’s second tier, but injuries limited him to 10 games and 2 goals. Despite his diminished output, his legend drew thousands to watch him play, a testament to his enduring charisma.

Kaka – 2013/14 (AC Milan) Kaka’s return to Milan aimed to recapture past glory, but injuries had dimmed his brilliance. He still scored 9 goals across all competitions, showing flashes of class in a struggling side. Though some argue his 2010/11 season was his lowest point, the 2013/14 campaign was demonstrably worse statistically.

Pelé – 1974 (Santos/Brazil) Absent from the World Cup and international play, Pelé showed signs of decline. Retired from Brazil's national team, his performances lacked their former spark. Still, he reliably scored for Santos, anchoring Brazilian football ahead of his revitalized stint with the New York Cosmos.

Zinedine Zidane – 2005/06 (Real Madrid) Zidane's final Real Madrid season was subdued, with 9 goals and 6 assists, and no trophies. Still, he powered France to a World Cup final and bowed out with an infamous headbutt that echoed globally.

Thierry Henry – 2006/07 (Arsenal) In his last season with Arsenal, Henry battled injuries and exhaustion, scoring only 12 goals—a far cry from his typical output. Despite being hampered, he came just one goal shy of Arsenal’s leading scorer, Robin van Persie, and still had the ability to dominate games.

Ronaldinho – 2007/08 (Barcelona) The magician's flair dimmed as his nightlife took its toll. Injuries and lackluster form resulted in only 9 goals, relegating him to the bench. Despite this, his legacy endured, and his transfer to Milan the next summer showed he still had samba magic in his boots.

Diego Maradona – 1992/93 (Sevilla) Post his 15-month drug ban, a declining Maradona joined Sevilla. He frequently clashed with teammates, missed training, and was far from the Napoli legend, per ESPN. Yet, despite one functional knee and poor fitness, he occasionally displayed his brilliance.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 2022/23 (Manchester United) Ronaldo started the season on the bench and ended it with a fiery interview targeting Manchester United's manager Ten Hag, the board, and even the canteen staff. On the pitch, he scored only three Premier League goals before moving to Al-Nassr. Despite this, he netted twice at the World Cup and generated more headlines than most Premier League stars combined.

Lionel Messi – 2021/22 (Paris Saint-Germain) After over 20 years and numerous accolades with Barcelona, Messi's emotional move to PSG promised an exciting new phase. However, it fell short of expectations. Though he notched 14 assists, his six league goals marked his lowest tally since 2005–06. Coupled with an early Champions League exit and some subdued displays, it was Messi's quietest season ever.

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