Giovani Dos Santos: So much unfulfilled potential

Once upon a time, in the land of the Inca culture, a talented young man was disputing a U-17 World Cup. Born in Mexico but with Brazilian blood in his veins, Giovani Dos Santos impressed the soccer world with his speed, dribbling and the educated touch he possessed.

His physicality, charisma and the way he developed on the pitch made him look exactly like a younger Ronaldinho that came from a different side of the equator.

As a teenager, Dos Santos was a phenom. Emerging from La Masia, and with a U-17 world title, Gio disputed his first official match in La Liga with Barcelona FC in September 2007 when Frank Rijkaard sent him to substitute for Thiery Henry.

And god! He did look like another Ronaldinho in potential. They were so similar and compatible that the Ballon d’Or winner decided to stand by Dos Santos, like a godfather.

However, Dos Santos learned more about Ronaldinho’s dark side. He consumed the same demon that left Dinho out of the elite.

In the summer of 2008, in a battle between three Premier League clubs, Dos Santos signed for Tottenham. The club presented him and an unknown Croatian player named Luka Modric on the same afternoon in June.

Dos Santos’ name appeared in the article “The best young talents of football” published by Spanish magazine Don Balon. Although, London remembers more scandals than Gio’s ability as a footballer.

And that’s how Giovani’s instability in the football world began: Ipswich Town, Galatasaray, Racing de Santander and Mallorca. He was part of four teams in four years.

After a decent year in Mallorca, Dos Santos joined Villarreal. He performed better; he was gaining minutes in La Liga and had the opportunity to play with his brother, Jonathan.

It seemed that Giovani was recovering from his demons. It looked like football was giving him a second chance to redeem himself when suddenly, the glamour of Los Angeles knocked on Gio’s door. A $6 million check was waiting, and at 26 years old he became a Designated Player for the LA Galaxy.

In the peak of his career, Dos Santos left Europe to join MLS. The comfort granted by the Galaxy captured Gio’s attention more than the redemption of his future in the elite of football.

Instead of playing, selling jerseys became Gio’s hobby. His name always appeared on the top-selling MLS jerseys list, even when he only appeared in 13 games in his last MLS season.

It was clear that Dos Santos didn’t belong in MLS, and the LA Galaxy discharged him from the only title that he achieved in America, Designated Player. The Galaxy terminated Dos Santos’ contract. In three years, Gio couldn’t prove anything beyond a marketing boost.

The memory of that 16-year-old kid lifting a World Cup trophy in Peru is gone. This is another promising story that never fulfilled. A talented lad who joined Barcelona in 2002 and made his debut at age 18, but never exploited his talent.

Mismanagement by his parent/agent, Zizinho, and the excesses turned Gio’s career into uncertainty. He was like a golden boat without course, just following the waves hoping to find the shore.

Dos Santos will be another empty name in football. He will be remembered as an illusion — a player that we wanted to witness, but never became a reality.

Follow Luis on Twitter: @LFulloa.

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