Freddy Adu: The Decision That Killed the Career of 'The Next Pele'

• Frddy Adu has finally revealed why he failed to reach his potential
• The Ghanaian-born American had the world at his feet as a youngster
• Adu who was a youth prodigy was dubbed as the next Pele

Ghanaian-born American footballer, Freddy Adu has disclosed where his career took a wrong turn after he was dubbed the next Pele at a very young age.

Adu showed enormous potential at a very young age and was on his way to becoming a global star.

However, his decision to leave Portuguese giants Benfica, where he was gradually warming his way into the first team alongside Angel Di Maria, was his biggest mistake.

According Adu, he could not make his way back to his best self after joining AS Monaco on loan.

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“One decision I would’ve done differently was leaving Benfica after the first year to go on loan at Monaco. That was the decision that started the snowball of me going from team to team,” Adu admitted on CBS Golazo as he opens up on what he could have been.

“On the flip side, Ángel Di María, the guy who was with me at Benfica, decided to stay. A new coach came in, he played, and the next thing you know, he balled out and ended up at Real Madrid.”

Although the move to Monaco at that time seemed lucrative, there was a power struggle at the French outfit which affected his stay in Ligue 1.

“I went to Monaco. There was a power struggle between the coach and the president. The president wanted me really bad but the coach didn’t think I was ready, so I didn’t play a lot. I’m not blaming anyone because it was my decision but I would’ve done it differently.”

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Adu became the youngest player to feature in the Major League Soccer at just 14 before leaving to Europe. The former US Men's National Team star says if he had the chance, he would have made different choices.

“I would’ve told my younger self to put away all the distractions and focus on my soccer. That was one thing I didn’t do enough of,” he continued.

“If I had to go back in time, I would’ve stayed behind for another hour or so to work on things I needed to work on. At 14, I felt like I was already there but I wasn’t.”

Born to Ghanaian parents in Tema, Adu moved to America at a tender age.

Canadian-born Ghanaian drafted into WNBA

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Canadian-born Ghanaian Laeticia Amihere has been selected by Atlanta Dream in the Women's National Basketball Association draft.

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The 21-year-old was the eighth overall pick in the draft and becomes the first female basketball player from Ghana to be drafted to the WNBA.

Although her parents are from Ghana, Amihere represents the Canadian national female basketball team.