The wasted talent Hachim Mastour was supposed to be a star of AC Milan, now he plays in the second league in Morocco

Year after year, the general football public is presented with a list of youngsters whose potential reaches the highest levels and who have the potential to become the next football superstars. However, few manage to live up to expectations and not fall into mediocrity, and there are guaranteed to be many more who, for a variety of reasons, do not make it to the top. One of the second less fortunate group of players is Moroccan midfielder Hachim Mastour.

YouTube fame

Young Hachim Mastour’s rise has been due more in part to YouTube videos compilations of his tackles and precise dribbling, which made the opposing players on the video have a good day, than to his actual performances in matches. Such was the reach and power of the Hachim Mastour name that Red Bull staged a freestyle duel against Neymar himself, who was by then rightfully a world football superstar.

Soon to AC Milan

He began learning football at a smaller club, AC Reggiana, from where he left at the age of 14 to join the renowned AC Milan, who were vehemently interested in his services based on his performances in youth tournaments. During the 2013/14 season, Filippo Inzaghi took the helm of the Rossoneri after Clerence Seedorf.

Guest appearances in Spain

However, the former legendary striker of not only AC Milan was unsure if the 16-year-old toy was ready for adult football and so sent him to Málaga in Spain. However, he struggled in the south of Spain and summarily played one single game for the A-team. Mastour clearly needed to slow down and play in a less quality and competitive competition than La Liga or Serie A.

A trial in the Netherlands

So it was the turn of the away season once again, but this time at PEC Zwolle in the Netherlands, where the youngster again flopped. After the Dutch tragedy, he returned to AC for the last year of his contract and when his long term contract with the San Siro club ended in June 2018, he became a free agent, which let’s pour some clear wine for a 19-year-old footballer is not a good card twice. In September of that year, he signed for Greece, specifically PAS Lamia 1964, but with equally dismal results.

The Greek flop

After the Greek adventure and some time spent again without an employer, Mastour tried his luck in two Italian destinations, Carpi and Reggina, before again ending up without a club after two years. He returned to his parents’ homeland of Morocco at the start of this July, where he will defend the colours of second-tier club Nahdat Zemamra.

A lack of consistent performances and little ambition cost the young starlet greater footballing success. So far. The Moroccan footballer is still only twenty-four years old, and although a path back into the European spotlight from the Moroccan second division seems unrealistic, at least a return to the top five European competitions should be within his reach with enough effort.

Sources: Transfermarkt, Goal