Argentine prodigy Alejandro Garnacho is going through a rough patch in his young career. After leaving Manchester United and signing for Chelsea last summer, the winger hoped to rediscover his best form. However, his first few months in London have been far from the fresh start he envisioned. Criticism has mounted—both in England and Argentina—and now a football legend has sent him a blunt message: without humility, talent alone won’t be enough.

A New Start That Hasn’t Taken Off

Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Garnacho has played just 331 minutes across seven matches, scoring only once—during a loss to Sunderland. His performances have done little to justify the £40 million fee Chelsea paid for him. Worse still, his attitude off the pitch continues to raise eyebrows.

During his time at Manchester United, the Argentine clashed with teammates such as Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Harry Maguire, who criticized him for a lack of commitment and an ego-driven attitude. Even manager Rúben Amorim excluded him from the first team for disrupting the dressing room’s harmony.

Now at Chelsea, the spotlight is once again on him. Cameras caught Garnacho on his phone during a match against Fulham, where he was in the stands after being left out of the squad registration. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher slammed the behavior: “I can’t stand seeing young players on their phones while their team is playing. It’s disrespectful.”

Ruggeri Brings Him Back to Earth: “He Needs to Come Down”

From Argentina, 1986 World Cup winner Óscar Ruggeri didn’t hold back when asked about the winger’s situation:

“He’s not better than anyone. He needs to enjoy himself, but without thinking he’s a superstar. Someone needs to bring him back down to earth. If he becomes the same humble kid he once was, they’ll call him back, because he’s phenomenal on the pitch,” Ruggeri said on TNT Sports.

National team coach Lionel Scaloni, who gave Garnacho his Argentina debut, hasn’t called him up since November 2024. Ruggeri warned that if the youngster doesn’t change his attitude, he could miss out on the 2026 World Cup.

Former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo also called for patience but stressed the need for maturity: “He has tremendous potential, but he needs to learn fast. He’s at a big club with a strong environment that can help him grow.”

A Talent Still Capable of Redemption

No one doubts Garnacho’s technical ability, but his career appears to be stalling due to personal choices and avoidable mistakes. At just 21, there’s still time to turn things around and earn a place in Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, which remains alive in the Carabao Cup and is preparing for a crucial Premier League clash against Tottenham.

For Garnacho, the challenge isn’t just on the pitch—he must prove he’s learned from his mistakes and that his talent can coexist with humility. Only then can he reclaim the promise that once made him one of Argentina’s brightest young stars.