Talent is a fickle, precarious thing. As the adage goes, it’s more about what you do with talent. But there’s only so much a sportsman can control, and what he can’t control often ends up defining him. For instance, there wouldn’t have been Marnus Labuschagne as we know today had Jofra Archer not hit Steven Smith on the head. Though not many are as lucky as Labuschagne. Many promising talents have been lost to injuries, sheer bad luck, or sometimes lack of discipline. We look at the great athletes from different sports who showed great potential but are mostly forgotten now.

Asafa Powell

Despite being one of the best sprinters of our generation, the name Asafa Powell might not ring a bell to many. Powell’s achievement, however, was overshadowed by his more illustrious contemporaries, Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake. Even though Powell held the world record in 100m but he couldn’t achieve much at bigger stages, like the World Athletics Championships and Olympics. The doping controversy that led to his suspension also played a part as people fell out of love and lost respect for Powell.

David Ferrer

David Ferrer will obviously curse himself for being born in the wrong era. Ferrer was a tenacious competitor, but always came a step short against the troika of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. In his only grand slam final appearance – the 2012 Roland Garros – he was outclassed by his compatriot Nadal. Ferrer ended his career with 27 ATP titles, and was one of the great underachievers in the modern game. The Spaniard was also known for his excessive nicotine consumption.

Giuseppe Signori

Perhaps some die-hard fans of yesteryears would recognise the unmistakable face of Lazio’s forward Giuseppe Signori, but for many, he’ll be a puzzle. Signori dominated Serie A in the era when the league was still known for its hardcore defending principle when the goals were not easy to come by. In his peak years between 1994 to 1998, Signori scored 90 goals for Lazio. 

George Best

Not exactly forgotten but underestimated for sure. George Best was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger and is often regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Best achieved significant success with Manchester United, helping the club win the European Cup in 1968. However, due to personal issues and premature retirement, Best’s career was cut short, and he struggled with alcoholism, eventually leading to his fading from the public consciousness despite his immense talent.

Sir Frank Worrell

Sir Frank Worrell, a legendary West Indian cricketer, was the first black captain of the West Indies cricket team and played a vital role in the development of West Indian cricket. He was known for his exceptional leadership skills, excellent technique, and sportsmanship. Despite his numerous contributions to the sport, Worrell is often overshadowed or forgotten compared to other cricketing legends of his time.