In 2016, Lionel Messi teamed up with Adidas to launch the #backedbyMessi campaign, singling out ten young players he believed would shape the future of football. Almost a decade later, the paths of these talents have diverged dramatically—from lifting trophies in Europe to searching for a club in Thailand or the United States. For a bicultural Latino audience, this story is a reminder that even the blessing of the greatest can't guarantee a straight line to glory.
The Ones Who Made It
Kasper Dolberg is arguably the most successful of the bunch. The Danish striker burst onto the scene at Ajax, scoring 16 goals in his first Eredivisie season. After solid stints at Nice and Anderlecht, he returned to Ajax in 2025, also earning over 50 caps for Denmark. On the other side of the pitch, Davide Calabria lived every academy kid's dream: he became captain of AC Milan in 2022, playing 272 matches for the Rossoneri before moving to Panathinaikos in Greece. These two proved that early promise can translate into sustained excellence.
But not everyone kept pace with the European elite. Jean-Kévin Augustin showed flashes at RB Leipzig after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, but failed loans at Monaco and Leeds United—where he played just 48 minutes—derailed his trajectory. At 28, the French forward is without a club after a spell at Motor Lublin. Similarly, Patrick Roberts, once compared to Messi for his dribbling at Manchester City and Celtic, bounced around English and Spanish clubs before landing at Birmingham City.
Beyond Europe: From Thailand to the MLS
Messi's list also looked beyond Europe. Chanathip Songkrasin, nicknamed the “Thai Messi,” made history in Japan's J.League with the most expensive domestic transfer to Kawasaki Frontale, before returning to BG Pathum United in his homeland. In MLS, Alex Muyl became a reliable workhorse, racking up over 140 appearances for the New York Red Bulls and surpassing 200 games with Nashville SC, where he remains a key figure. These stories show that success isn't only measured in Champions League trophies.
The only woman on the list, Nadezhda Karpova, built a consistent career in Spain after starring in Russia, playing for Valencia, Sevilla, and Espanyol. In South America, Brazilians Gabriel Boschilia and Nathan saw their careers circle back home. Boschilia, after shining at Monaco, returned to Brazil with Internacional and now plays for Operário Ferroviário. Nathan, a former Chelsea prospect, has been without a club since 2025 after a stint at Clube do Remo.
The Uncertain Fate of Kekutah Manneh
Finally, Kekutah Manneh represents the most uncertain side of these bets. Despite a promising start with the Vancouver Whitecaps—24 goals in MLS—the Gambian-American winger never settled. After stops with Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati, he left Canadian side Pacific FC in 2023. At 31, he remains without a professional contract, a sobering end to a career that once carried Messi's endorsement.
Messi's own journey has taken him to Inter Miami, where he's driving a billion-dollar business machine. For more on that, check out Messi Drives Inter Miami's Billion-Dollar Business Machine. And if you're curious about how other Latino icons are building empires, read about Antonela Roccuzzo: The Rosario Entrepreneur Building a $20 Million Empire Beyond Messi.
The #backedbyMessi campaign was a fascinating snapshot of football's potential. But as these ten careers show, talent alone isn't enough—timing, luck, and resilience matter just as much. For every Dolberg or Calabria, there's a Manneh or Augustin, reminding us that the path from promise to greatness is rarely straight.
