10 Pro Evolution Soccer Legends Who Flopped In Real Life
6. Anthony Vanden Borre
As a youngster, Belgian full back Anthony Vanden Borre was considered as good, if not better, than his friend and fellow Anderlecht academy graduate Vincent Kompany.
Both players were certainly earmarked for big things on Pro Evolution Soccer, where early versions of the game on PS2 saw the defenders rank among some of the very best, stats wise. It got even better if you happened to sign either one of the dynamic duo on Master League.
The pair would go on to enjoy contrasting careers though. While Kompany went on to win a glut of trophies at Manchester City, the closest Anthony Vanden Borre came to Premier League glory was a loan spell at Portsmouth.
Despite breaking through at Anderlecht, Vanden Borre was regularly criticised for his attitude off the pitch and struggled after making a big money move to Fiorentina. He fared better with Genoa but eventually fell out of favour there too, resulting in a loan move to Fratton Park.
Already in financial freefall, Portsmouth ended the season relegated with Vanden Borre eventually returning to Belgium with Genk, where he won a league title before heading back to Anderlecht.
The reunion ended up not being an altogether happy one after the full-back was heard using homophobic language to describe a teammate. Shipped out to Montpelier on loan, Vanden Borre retired in 2017 only to reverse the decision and joined TP Mazembe in DR Congo.
Incredibly he’s now back at Anderlecht working under Kompany, who is their manager.