In the previous article, we delved into the world of underrated virtual football players. Where there are players rated low, there are also those highly regarded, boasting impressive statistics. They are the "hot commodities" in the transfer market, commanding substantial fees. It's worth noting that among them are players with extensive playing careers, potentially belonging to the ranks of legends. Can you guess whom Wintips admin is referring to? Let's find out together through the list of overrated fantasy football players right below.
The overrated fantasy football players in the world
1. Lionel Messi
Messi is also the only player to have won this prestigious award with 3 different clubs. However, there's a lesser-known record that truly honors Messi's value. That is the Argentine superstar becoming the player with the longest gap (14 years) between two Ballon d'Or wins.
8 Ballon d'Or wins in 14 years, spanning across 3 decades, both in the world of football and at the club level, is perhaps a rare sight to witness such continuous and enduring dominance in any field. Not to mention, the owner of this record is a player hailed as a genius, yet faced plenty of real-life challenges. There were times of despair and falling into deep pits, yet he managed to rise from the mud.
2. Kylian Mbappe - Overrated fantasy football players
Kylian Mbappe is a French footballer who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the French national team. Born in 1998, he is regarded as one of the most talented young players in football today. Mbappe began his football career at Monaco. Despite being very young, the forward earned a starting spot at the club, helping Monaco win the Ligue 1 title in the 2016/2017 season.
Since joining PSG, Mbappe has gradually proven himself to be one of the best forwards in the world. Not only has he won additional Ligue 1 titles and French Cups, but he has also been honored twice as the "Player of the Season" in Ligue 1. He is also a key player for the French national team, contributing significantly to their victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
3. Kevin De Bruyne - Overrated fantasy football players
Kevin De Bruyne's versatility and qualities have been extensively discussed, especially in tournaments requiring stability, where he demonstrates his formidable presence against opponents. In recent seasons, Manchester City, even when facing challenges during the first half of the season, always manages to stage remarkable comebacks to clinch championship titles.
De Bruyne's goals and assists serve as an endless source of energy for Manchester City to accelerate during crucial stages of the season. The star quality of the Belgian midfielder shines particularly in matches against the Big Six, earning him recognition from fans.
4. Manuel Neuer
Few represent FC Bayern's remarkable success in recent years as Manuel Neuer does. Since arriving in Munich from Schalke in 2011, the goalkeeper has defined an era at the club. On November 28, 2023, Manuel Neuer signed a contract extension with Bayern until June 30, 2025. The FC Bayern website marked this event by reviewing the records of the 37-year-old player.
M. Neuer has accumulated 29 titles in his 12 years at Bayern, including two treble-winning seasons in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup, and Champions League in 2013 and 2020. Since joining Bayern, Manuel Neuer has consistently held various records, notably the most clean sheets in the top 5 European leagues.
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5. Cristiano Ronaldo - Overrated fantasy football players
Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional footballer from Portugal, born on February 5, 1985. He began his football career with Sporting CP in Portugal and rose to fame after moving to Manchester United in 2003. CR7 enjoyed 6 successful seasons before joining Real Madrid in 2009, where he became one of the world's best players.
In 2018, Ronaldo joined Juventus and won 2 Serie A titles. In 2021, he delighted Manchester United fans by deciding to return to his "old home". During his time at Real Madrid, Ronaldo was honored with the Ballon d'Or award four times. He won four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and numerous other major and minor honors.
6. Thibaut Courtois - Overrated fantasy football players
Courtois became the first goalkeeper in Champions League history to make 9 saves in a single final. Previously, Alisson (2018/19 final) and Edwin van der Sar (2010/11) held the record with 8 saves in a Champions League final.
Since the prestigious European competition was renamed the Champions League, there have been few instances of such a stellar performance by a goalkeeper in a 90-minute match. Out of Liverpool's total of 24 shots towards Real Madrid's goal, 9 shots were on target. Among those 9 shots on target, at least 3 were clear-cut scoring opportunities that Courtois brilliantly denied.
7. Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski was born into a family with a rich sports tradition. His father, Krystof, was a former Judo champion and also a footballer who played for Hutnick Warsaw. Lewandowski's mother, Iwona, was a volleyball athlete. His younger sister, Milena, later followed in her mother's footsteps and pursued a career in volleyball.
Lewandowski's success also owes much to his wife, Anna, especially in terms of physical conditioning. Anna, a former karate athlete who won a silver medal at the 2009 Karate World Cup, is also a nutrition, fitness, and health expert with a degree in physical education. She writes books on fitness and releases exercise videos.
8. Karim Benzema - Overrated fantasy football players
Adapting his playing style to suit any partner at Real Madrid has helped Karim Benzema become the most complete striker in the world, especially in the prestigious Champions League arena. Chelsea's first two Champions League titles came when changing managers mid-season (in 2012 and 2021).
This season, the sackings of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, followed by the appointment of Frank Lampard as head coach, could be seen as the catalyst for Chelsea fans to dream of a third Champions League title in the club's history. However, their immediate challenge is Real Madrid, with the current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema leading the line. Real's 14 titles speak volumes about their illustrious history in European competition.
9. Jude Bellingham - Overrated fantasy football players
Above all, Bellingham is a potential phenomenon ("Il Fenomeno" or "El Fenomeno" in Spanish; the Italian press dubbed him so after the match at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, following the legendary nickname of Ronaldo de Lima). Using "potential" is crucial, as the factor that turns a great player into a champion is consistency.
In this case, we have to wait at least until the end of Bellingham's first season at Real Madrid, across La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey. It can be said that Jude Bellingham is currently "astonishing everyone", as Carlo Ancelotti remarked after the 3-2 victory over Napoli in the Champions League group stage.
10. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland is a striker currently playing for the Norwegian national team and Manchester City club. Haaland was born on July 21, 2000, in Leeds, England. At the time, his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was playing for Leeds United FC. Erling Haaland grew up in Bryne, Norway, and became acquainted with football at a fairly young age. Haaland admires both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
However, the name he mentions most often is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. His karate kick goal against Dortmund in September 2022 showed that the Norwegian striker has learned a lot from Ibra. The Swedish player has had a brilliant career. At the age of 40, he still poses many challenges for defenders in Serie A.
Conclude
The realm of fantasy football often sees players who are overrated, their hype not always matching their actual performance on the field. While some may garner high expectations due to their reputation or past achievements, their current form may not always justify such acclaim. It's important for fantasy football managers to carefully evaluate players based on their current statistics, form, and potential for consistent performance. Being mindful of overrated players can help fantasy managers make more informed decisions and ultimately lead to greater success in their fantasy leagues.
See also: Ranking of the most overrated soccer players in history
