10 years ago, Career Mode managers were obsessed with a select group of elite young prodigies. These were the certified "wonderkids" of FIFA 17—players guaranteed to grow into unstoppable world-beaters in virtual dugout saves.

But football is a volatile business. While some of these prodigies went on to win World Cups and establish themselves among football's elite, others were affected by injuries, difficult transfers or the weight of expectation.

Striver.Football ooks back on how 10 of FIFA 17's most notable wonderkids have fared a decade later.

1. Kylian Mbappe (AS Monaco)

FIFA 17 OVR: 71 | Potential: 92
Where he is now: Real Madrid & France Captain

The Reality: Kylian Mbappe has comfortably surpassed the potential FIFA 17 predicted for him. Mbappe exploded onto the scene with Monaco shortly after FIFA 17 dropped, earning a historic mega-money move to Paris Saint-Germain. 

After securing a World Cup trophy with France, scoring a hat-trick in a second World Cup final, and becoming PSG's all-time leading scorer, the global superstar finally completed his blockbuster dream move to Real Madrid. He stands today as one of the best players in the world.

2. Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan)

FIFA 17 OVR: 78 | Potential: 92
Where he is now: Manchester City

The Reality: At just 17 years old, "Gigio" was already Milan’s starting goalkeeper and one of the most sought-after defensive Career Mode signings.

He has gone on to fulfil much of the potential expected of him, winning Euro 2020 with Italy (and taking home the Player of the Tournament award).

He eventually moved to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2025 and multiple Ligue 1 titles before sealing a move to City, where he has remained world-class.

3. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

FIFA 17 OVR: 80 | Potential: 90
Where he is now: Unattached

The Reality: Dele Alli is one of the most heartbreaking "what if" stories on this list. In 2016/17, he was arguably the best young attacking midfielder on earth, scoring 18 Premier League goals for Spurs. Injuries, changes in management and difficulties away from the pitch disrupted his rise.

After a tough spell at Everton and a difficult loan at Besiktas as well as an ill-fated spell at Cesc Fabregas’ Como, he has spent the past year as a free agent while continuing to work towards a return to competitive football.

4. Ousmane Dembele (Borussia Dortmund)

FIFA 17 OVR: 77 | Potential: 90
Where he is now: Paris Saint-Germain

The Reality: Dembele's electric pace and five-star weak foot made him a mandatory purchase in FIFA 17. Real-life Barcelona saw that exact same potential, dropping a staggering nine-figure fee to sign him as Neymar's replacement in 2017. 

While injuries severely plagued his years in Spain, he still won numerous trophies and a World Cup with France. But moving back to France to join PSG under Luis Enrique proved to be a major turning point in his career.

He has won back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles and the 2025 Ballon d’Or, underlining how far his career has developed.

5. Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich)

FIFA 17 OVR: 78 | Potential: 90
Where he is now: Free Agent

The Reality: Fresh off winning Euro 2016 with Portugal and scooping the Golden Boy award, Sanches was the ultimate box-to-box midfielder in FIFA 17.

However, his big move to Bayern Munich came too soon, followed by a difficult loan spell at Swansea City.

He brilliantly rebuilt his career at Lille, winning Ligue 1 and earning a move to PSG. After further loan spells at AS Roma, he returned to where it all began, rejoining Benfica on loan. 

But after failing to overcome injury problems, PSG chose to terminate his contract with just a year left on his deal.

6. Anthony Martial (Manchester United)

FIFA 17 OVR: 82 | Potential: 90
Where he is now: Free Agent

The Reality: Martial was the cover star of FIFA 17's "The Journey" mode alongside Alex Hunter, and his base card was famously overpowered. 

While he enjoyed flashes of absolute brilliance at Old Trafford, notably a 23-goal season in 2019/20, injuries and inconsistent form prevented him from ever becoming the world-class talisman United expected. 

After his contract expired, he departed English football to embark on a fresh chapter in Greece with AEK Athens, as well as a spell with Mexican side Monterrey.

7. Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)

FIFA 17 OVR: 81 | Potential: 89
Where he is now: Fenerbahce

The Reality: Famed for hitting absolute rockets into the top corner for Real Madrid, Asensio was a highly decorated squad player during Madrid's historic Champions League three-peat era.

A severe ACL injury in 2019 stole a bit of his explosive pace, but he adapted his game beautifully. 

He left Madrid with three Champions League titles and later signed for PSG, adding veteran depth to their star-studded attack. He also enjoyed a loan spell at Aston Villa before moving to Turkey.

8. Youri Tielemans (Anderlecht)

FIFA 17 OVR: 77 | Potential: 89
Where he is now: Manchester United

The Reality: Tielemans was the quintessential Career Mode bargain buy while still at Anderlecht. 
His real-life career path has been highly successful: he moved to Monaco, then became an important figure at Leicester City, famously scoring the screaming match-winner in the 2021 FA Cup Final. 

Following Leicester's relegation, the Belgian midfield general stayed in the Premier League, joining Unai Emery's high-flying Aston Villa, where he won the UEFA Europa League in 2026 before moving to Manchester United in July.

9. Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)

FIFA 17 OVR: 81 | Potential: 88
Where he is now: Al Nassr

The Reality: Coman’s career is defined by an astonishing silverware collection. By his early twenties, he had already won league titles in Italy, France, and Germany. 

He cemented his place in Bayern folklore by scoring the winning goal in the 2020 Champions League Final against PSG.

Despite recurring injury troubles, he remained an important winger for Bayern before joining Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr, where he is teammates with Cristiano Ronaldo.

10. Alen Halilovic (Hamburger SV)

FIFA 17 OVR: 79 | Potential: 89
Where he is now: Free Agent/Unattached

The Reality: Dubbed the "Croatian Messi" by sections of the media during his early career at Barcelona, Halilovic represents one of the clearest examples of how difficult it can be for a highly rated wonderkid to fulfil early expectations.

He failed to establish himself at Hamburg, leading to a nomadic career path consisting of short, unsuccessful stints at AC Milan, Birmingham City, Reading, and Rijeka. 

He found a brief moment of stability playing in the Dutch Eredivisie for Fortuna Sittard, but has struggled to ever replicate the virtual heights EA Sports predicted for him.