15 Football Manager Wonderkids Who Didn't Live Up To Expectations

10. Lulinha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_mIK9qoq1Q Another sublimely promising Brazilian wonderkid to appear almost from nowhere onto the 2007 FM database was Lulinha. A very good technical CAM with impressive starting stats for a 16/17 year old depending on which year you bought him, you could pick him up very cheaply as a youth player. However, you normally had to appeal a failed work permit, which could be a little tiresome. Although he became a bit of a 'Marmite' player on the game with some people bringing the best out of him and others only able to get mediocre performances, he did quite often turn into a really quick, nimble attacking maestro that would consistently torment defences. In reality, Lulinha started his career with some very impressive performances at youth level. He played a huge part in helping the Brazil U-17's win the South American Championship in 2007, scoring an exceptional 12 goals in 7 games. Sadly his performances whilst with the U-17's are probably as good as it has ever gotten for the player who is now often used as a benchmark to describe unfulfilled Brazilian talent.