Most 14-year-olds daydream about the weekend’s goals in science class. Most 14-year-olds have at one time or another at least considered breaking an XBOX or PlayStation controller in a FIFA-induced rage. Most 14-year-olds do not start their professional football debuts and thus become a true global sensation.
But 14 years, Freddy Adu was not like the rest.
The American is probably the most famous case of “hypocritical prodigy” that the football world has ever seen, and with his obvious abundance of pure talent on the show during his early teens, it is no surprise that there was so much excitement around the youth.
ON THIS DAY: In 2003, Freddy Adu signed his first professional contract with DC United at the age of 14. Pic.twitter.com/nfHCGrYbyh
– Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 18, 2015
From the highest heights, however, you fall the farthest. And in Adus’ case, he collapsed into the abyss and almost completely out of memory.
But there will always be a place in football history for him. Let’s look back and remember the tragic career and lessons of the original modern prodigy. What ever happened to Freddy Adu?
Adu was eight years old when his family moved to the United States from Ghana, where he had played football with men more than three times his age – and dominated by the way.
Six years after arriving in the United States, Adu had been captured by MLS and submitted to the DC United side for the 2004 season, becoming the youngest athlete ever to play a professional sport in the country.
Freddy Adu in action against San Jose Earthquakes 2004 | Harry How / Getty Images
As you can imagine, the hype surrounding the teenager was extraordinary and led to several brand agreements. Nike signed a contract with Adu on a 1 million pound contract, while companies flocked to get him in their ads to raise world awareness of America’s new lost son.
One of these ads stood out from the rest and gave Adu a tag that he simply could never live up to. The soft drink company Pepsi got the 14-year-old to beat the Brazilian legend Pele in a friendly competition to advertise the Sierra Mist and inevitably gave the teenager the enviable label “next Pele”.
However, everything pointed to a successful career in the early stages. Even before he became a professional with DC United, Adu had led the US Olympic Development Team to a victory during the 14-tournament against European opposition, leading the points lists throughout and being named the competition’s MVP. And the good times continued in MLS.
During his first senior season, still 14 years old, he became the youngest goal scorer in MLS history and no one has come anywhere near breaking records since then. Adu went on to play 30 games for DC United in 2004, scoring five goals and scoring four assists, which is not bad for a 14- to 15-year-old. Not bad at all.
Happy birthday, Freddy Adu! ?
The youngest MLS goal scorer ever … ?? pic.twitter.com/R5tsASbPZl
Goal (@goal) June 2, 2019
His head-shifting performances were enough to capture the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson, and in 2004 the teenager was given a two-week trial by Manchester United’s academy. But without a work permit, Adu could not play any competitive matches while in England and was sent back to the States.
While still performing well for his age, the teenager’s number gradually decreased over the coming seasons. In 2005, Adu managed seven goal contributions and in 2006 only six. Although he joined the US national team and made his debut in January 2006, DC United coaches began to lose faith in Adu due to his lack of progression and development. The midfielder eventually made the move to Real Salt Lake in 2007.
Freddy Adu training with Manchester United Academy AFP / Getty Images
Two goals and an assist in eleven games during the first half of the MLS campaign in 2007 and a good display as the US captain at the World Cup in 20 years 2007 ended his first spell in America. Benfica, driven by sensational media hype more than careful scouting, took the 18-year-old to Portugal for $ 2 million and accidentally sent Adus’ career.
Despite scoring a respectable four goals in 17 appearances for Benfica, Adu was sent off on loan and failed to impress Monaco, Belenenses, Aris Thessaloniki and Caykur Rizespor for the next three seasons – although they were still on the national side and got two goal in 17 caps until 2011. He was then sent back to MLS to enjoy a decent spell with the Philadelphia Union.
However, ten goals and three assists in his 41 Union appearances from 2011 to 2013 were not enough to resume his career, and the 22-year-old was released. Adu joined the Brazilian side Bahia in March 2013, where he lasted only four matches before he had to find another club. The American began to start test periods around Europe – including Blackpool and AZ Alkmaar – but could only secure a contract with the Serbian kit FK Jagodina in 2014.
After just one appearance for Jagodina, the American international went on failed spells at Kuopion Palloseura in Finland, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Las Vegas Lights – both US levels.
With a career that seemed anything but possible, Adu left Las Vegas Lights in late 2018 and began working as a football coach in Maryalnd. A two-year break from the game was temporarily stopped in October 2020 when he joined Osterlen FF in the Swedish third team, but in February the club considered him too mentally and physically unfit to play.
Freddy Adu was tipped as the next Pele | Dave Sandford / Getty Images
The story of Freddy Adu is tragic. He was nothing more than a boy with the highest football ability, thrown into the world view with minimal preparation. His Hollywood-style introduction to professional seniors in his early teens rather than letting him develop at his own pace was probably a factor in his stifled development, and serious media pressure.
Could we have seen a new Pele without the eyes of the earth on a 14-year-old Adu? Probably not. But could the United States have had a real superstar? Perhaps.
