Talent alone is not enough. Januzaj could have been a world star, instead he’s still fighting for a place at Real Sociedad

Adnan Januzaj is 26 years old, he should be approaching the peak of his career and be a world star, but unfortunately. Talent is simply not always enough and the Belgian winger is a prime example. Still, it is fair to say that he could have done worse.

When Adnan Januzaj was starting to make his way into adult football, probably few expected him to be as fit as he is now at the age of 26. Indeed, he has been one of the greatest talents to emerge from Manchester United’s academy in recent years.

The Red Devils brought him to England in 2011 from Anderlecht. The Belgian footballer gradually progressed through all youth categories until he became one of the main figures of the A-team under coach David Moyes during the 2013/14 season.

Januzaj impressed with his great dribbling, technique, strength on the ball and illegibility. He was one of the most fouled footballers in the league. And he was only 18 years old. So he had a big future. He was expected to replace the legendary Ryan Giggs, from whom he also took over the iconic number 11 on his jersey.

The Belgian was, in short, the epitome of hope in the dark period following the departure of the phenomenal Sir Alex Ferguson. Overnight, he became a kind of Messiah. At Old Trafford, he was spoken of as nothing other than the boy who could do it all. And the club succumbed to this charm, offering the player a new contract with a much higher wage rather quickly.

Januzaj finished his debut season with a record of 4 goals and 6 assists after 35 competitive games. Definitely solid for an 18 year old, especially when you factor in the fact that the club was struggling.

However, Moyes quit the club and in his place came coach Louis Van Gaal, who didn’t give as much space to the young winger anymore. But he had his reasons. He often criticised Januzaj’s attitude and morale. The player seems to have come to believe in his own greatness. There were reports in the media about his star-like mannerisms.

So he went on loan to Borussia Dortmund, where Thomas Tuchel expected interesting things from him. Januzaj, however, did not make a good impression at all, on the contrary. That’s why he was just a bit of a bust and his career started to look bad. Tuchel said that the Belgian does not play with his heart and lacks motivation and discipline.

A loan spell at Sunderland followed. Januzaj again worked under Moyes, who trusted him. But even in the north of England he failed, even though he was given too much space. A future world star was becoming a wasted talent.

It was clear that he had no future at Manchester United. He had to leave. In the summer of 2017, he left for the Basque Country for £8.5 million, taken up by Real Sociedad, where he has been ever since.

How much of a good move was that? The fact that he played the most minutes in his first season in his new jersey is telling. The club still trusted him then, gave him space. But now the 26-year-old Januzaj is a player with an unflattering label, a place he hasn’t yet earned, but still occasionally shows signs of genius.

Januzaj has played 149 games for Real Sociedad, but his record of 20 goals and 20 assists doesn’t match what was expected of him. He will celebrate his 27th birthday in February and although his career has not been as disastrous as some other players who had great potential, he certainly cannot be satisfied.

He still has a chance to make amends, he can still have a decent career. However, he will never catch up with the years he wasted with a bad attitude. He should have made history and tried to surpass Giggs in a Red Devils jersey, but alas.

WhoScored, Transfermarkt, Real Sociedad