Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas used to be teenage superstars of the Premier League, breaking record after record as they reached their early 20s. But now they find themselves warming the bench every week at their respective clubs as, writes ESPN FC's Rich Jolly, time catches up with them.
Fabregas helped Arsenal to FA Cup glory in 2005 and was part of the squad that reached the Champions League final a year later. Arsene Wenger handed him the captain's armband when he was just 21 years old.
Rooney spent the summer celebrating Manchester United's Champions League win over Chelsea in Moscow when Fabregas became Arsenal captain. Prior to that, he led the line as United won three Premier League titles on the trot under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Spain was Fabregas' biggest hope for trophies as they won Euro 2008 and the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. Rooney, however, was left forever frustrated on the international stage with the usual England drama that tends to explode whenever expectation rises.
Now both players struggle to produce the form they used to for their clubs, who has had the better career?
Wayne Rooney
Premier League: 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13
Champions League: 2007-08
FA Cup: 2015-16
League Cup: 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10
Community Shield: 2007-08, 2010-11, 2016-17
World Club Cup: 2008
Rooney has played a total of 529 games in his career scoring a staggering 313 goals since bursting on the scene with Everton. Rooney has played for 115 times for England, becoming the country's leading goal scorer with 53 goals.
Before leaving Goodison Park for Old Trafford, Rooney played 77 games for his hometown club bagging 17 goals. At Manchester United, Rooney has reached a staggering 246 goal milestone for his club.
Cesc Fabregas
Premier League: 2014-15
FA Cup: 2004-05
League Cup: 2014-15
Community Shield: 2004-05
Super Cup: 2011-12
World Club Cup: 2011
La Liga: 2012-13
Copa Del Rey: 2011-12
FIFA World Cup: 2010
UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012
Fabregas scored 57 goals in 303 games for Arsenal before leaving for Barcelona in 2011 to team up with his Spain international team mates. The Barcelona dream return did not go as planned for Fabregas as he played only 151 games for the Catalans, scoring 42 goals.
Chelsea was his next destination where he now struggles to get game time. Fabregas has played 101 games for the Blues with 13 goals. At international level, Fabregas has been capped 10 short of Rooney's England games at 105, scoring 15 goals.