With the 2022/23 season soon coming to an end, we look at four household names who will sadly finish the campaign without clubs, including two former Real Madrid stars who once had the world at their feet.
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Isco
It has been a difficult few seasons for the four-time UEFA Champions League winner, who was once considered among the best creative attacking midfielders in all of Europe during his time at Real. Isco's decline was slow but steady as manager after manager continued to overlook his services, perhaps as a result of the sport's evolution. He is almost technically flawless, a player blessed with incredible control, but his lack of off-the-ball running made it nearly impossible for the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti to rely on him as he approached his thirties. From a potential modern-day great to a player the streets will never forget, the 31-year-old is currently a free agent after being released by Sevilla in December last year.
James Rodriguez
In 2014, Los Blancos decided they would part ways with Angel Di Maria in order to accommodate a move for then-Monaco talent James Rodriguez, who famously set the world alight with his performances at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil for Colombia. Today, however, the 35-year-old Di Maria is playing at a high level with Juventus and Argentina, while 31-year-old Rodriguez is without a club, having recently been let go by his second side in three years. Rodriguez, like his ex-teammate Isco, is possibly a victim of the game's advancement. Though his career has fallen off a cliff, the left-footed star's memorable tournament in Brazil nine years ago will live long in the memory. Fans might criticise how things played out, but, when it is all said and done, we are sure he enjoyed doing what he loved while travelling the world.
Danny Rose
In recent years, the former Tottenham Hotspur left-back has spoken openly about the mental health struggles he has experienced in his career. Rose joined Spurs as a youngster from Leeds United's academy in 2007 before going on to make an impressive 214 appearances during one of the best periods in the London club's recent history. Once a mainstay in the Lilywhites' defence, Rose became a regular for England, whom he represented at the 2016 UEFA European Championship and 2018 World Cup, turning out for the Three Lions on 29 occasions. Now 32 years old, Rose has not played football since Watford released him in September last year, and has spoken publicly about the importance of seeking help for mental struggles.
Alexandre Pato
There was once a time when the world desperately wanted Alexandre Pato to be the next Ronaldo Nazario, even though their careers overlapped and their paths crossed. Pato starred alongside his compatriot at AC Milan and in the Brazil national team, but his best unfortunately did not last as long as he may have wanted it to. His five-and-a-half-year spell at the Rossoneri between 2007 and 2013 remains the peak of his career as injuries hampered his development. Scoring 63 goals in 150 appearances for that Milan team was no easy feat, but Pato had the ability to make it all look relatively simple. The 33-year-old has since had spells at Chelsea and Villarreal, but has not been able to rediscover the form he showed during his heyday.
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