Whisper the word "wonderkid" to a Football Manager enthusiast and the memories will come flooding back.
Every year the iconic computer game serves up at least one player who has the potential to grow into an unstoppable force. Finding the next gem became one of the most exciting parts of a save.
Some players have become iconic not for their efforts on the pitch, but just because they were a world-beater on either Championship Manager or its successor, Football Manager.
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- Create a winning approach on the tactics board, incorporating modern systems and positional innovations to deliver big victories on the pitch.
- Master the transfer market, using new ways to craft a dream squad capable of winning titles.
- Level up your players on the training field and turn your contenders into champions.
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With the latest edition, FM 24, being released on Monday (November 6), we at Daily Star Sport have taken a look back at some of the most memorable wonderkids from years gone by.
Strap yourselves in for a nostalgia-filled trip down memory lane and whet your appetite before getting stuck into your new save.
Who's your favourite Football Manager wonderkid of all-time? Let us know in the comments section.
Freddy Adu
Where else to start but with the one, the only, Freddy Adu. He first burst onto the Championship Manager scene aged just 13 for the 2003/04 season and was a wonderkid for years to come.
The American was dubbed "the next Pele" but couldn't live up to the lofty expectations placed on him as a teenager. His last club was Swedish side Osterlen in 2021, who terminated his contract a month after signing him citing a lack of fitness.
Somehow still only just 34 years old, Adu hasn't officially retired but looks to have turned his back on his playing days in favour of giving back and coaching the next generation. He trains children in Washington.
Kerlon
Known around the world as the seal dribbler, Kerlon became an internet sensation in 2005 for busting out his unique skill move on a regular basis. He was added into FM06 and unsurprisingly got the maximum 20 rating for dribbling.
The Brazilian winger made a big move to Inter Milan aged 20, but his career sadly petered out with four loan spells failing to give him some much-needed game time. He had spells in Japan, Malta and Slovakia after leaving Inter.
It led to him retiring in 2017 aged just 29. Nowadays he too runs his own private training sessions in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife and two children.
Carlos Vela
Then in Arsenal's youth ranks, Carlos Vela was the ideal first signing on FM09. It never worked out for him in north London, making just 35 senior appearances under Arsene Wenger.
Moving to La Liga side Real Sociedad kickstarted his career though and he enjoyed six successful years in Spain while also racking up 72 caps for Mexico.
Since 2018 he's played in the MLS with Los Angeles FC, for whom he boasts an impressive record of more than a goal every other game and is still going strong aged 34.
Henri Saivet
Playing for French side Bordeaux, Henri Saivet was an easy buy for FM09 players who were able to mould him into a goalscoring-machine from midfield.
In real life he didn't leave Ligue 1 until 2016, signing for Newcastle in a £5m deal when their transfer policy was 'sign anyone French'. By that point Saivet had actually switched his international allegiance to Senegal.
The now 33-year-old played just a handful of times for the Magpies and after a year out from the game, he joined Ligue 2 side Pau in 2022.
Cherno Samba
Perhaps the greatest computer-game wonderkid ever, Cherno Samba was a cheat code on CM 01/02. He was in Millwall's youth set-up and firing in goals for fun.
He represented England at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 level and was beyond his years. But unfortunately for the striker, that was to be the peak of his career.
Over a decade on from hanging up his boots, Samba is an FA licensed intermediary working for Spocs Global Sports, who have Wolves striker Sasa Kalajdzic and Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka amongst their clientele.
Taribo West
He wasn't a wonderkid, but we simply couldn't finish this lookback without mentioning Taribo West. Like Samba, he became a Championship Manager 01/02 legend thanks to the fact he was a free agent having left AC Milan.
Snapping him up at the start of the game was virtually essential. He was still just 27 years old and had great potential, having also played for Milan's rivals Inter.
While the rest of the players on this list are still involved in football one way or the other, West has gone down a very different path – becoming a pastor in his native Nigeria.
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