YOUSSOUFA MOUKOKO made his long-awaited debut for Borussia Dortmund – smashing a Bundesliga record.
The outrageously talented striker came off the bench to replace Erling Haaland in the 85th minute against Hertha Berlin – with the eyes of the footballing world upon him.
Youssoufa Moukoko makes his long-awaited debut for Borussia Dortmund replacing Erling HaalandCredit: AP:Associated Press
Moukoko has become the youngest ever German pro footballerCredit: AP:Associated Press
With his brief cameo, the German wonderkid became the youngest ever German pro footballer – having only turned 16 on November 20.
His debut in the 5-2 win comes after the Bundesliga changed age eligibility rules to allow players younger than the cut off point of 16 and a half to play.
And there’s every chance he could break another record, after he was included in Dortmund’s Champions League squad back in October.
The German side face Club Brugge on Tuesday, and if he appears he will become the Champions League’s youngest ever player.
Moukoko’s appearance tonight was widely expected, and he’s been tipped for the top since he was 12.
RULE BREAKER
Unbelievably, Moukoko is so good the Bundesliga changed their age eligibility rules in order to let him play.
Previously, players have not been allowed to play in Germany’s top-flight until they are 16-and-a-half.
But such have been the waves caused by Moukoko’s rapid rise, that this has now been lowered to just 16.
Furthermore, in anticipation of his German debut the live-wire forward was training with Lucien Favre’s first team.
The original Dortmund record was set by Nuri Sahin back in 2005, when he made his debut at 16 years, 11 months and one day – before going on to play for Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Striker Moukoko has scored goals for fun at youth levelCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Moukoko averaged a goal or an assist every 40 minutes during the 2019-20 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
Last year, Moukoko signed a 10-year boot deal with Nike worth around £9mCredit: Nike
The German teen, who signed a boot deal with Nike for 10-years worth a reported £9million in 2019, has left observers flabbergasted by his incredible ability at such a young age.
But his progress is nothing new.
GOALS, GOALS, GOALS
At the age of just 12, pre-teen Moukoko was playing for Dortmund’s under-17s and Germany’s under-16s.
He scored an astonishing 90 goals in 56 games at under-17 level, before bagging 34 in 20 this season for the under-19s – despite having started the season as a 14-year-old.
Champions League-winning club legend and youth boss Lars Ricken spoke to German newspaper Bild about Moukoko’s rapid rise.
“He’s scored a lot of goals, is very inquisitive, hungry for success, hardworking and always comes with a smile that distinguishes him,” he said.
“That’s what we look at. The tools are there.”
The Bundesliga lowered the legal age for debutants because of Moukoko’s abilityCredit: Getty – Contributor
First team striker Erling Haaland welcomes Moukoko to trainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
HOW OLD IS HE?
But such success has been quickly met with doubts about his age, even from inside his own club.
Dortmund’s Under-23s manager Timo Preus said: “With Youssoufa, I can imagine that his age has only been guessed.
“Maybe in reality he is one or two years older. But certainly he is not 17. For him that is very difficult.
“There is nothing to blame him for, the boy is not cheating or anything.”
However, Moukoko’s dad Joseph has been forced to insist his son is the age he claims he is – even if he refuses to get caught up in the tidal wave of excitement surrounding the lad.
Moukoko jostles for the ball with Dortmund’s Jadon SanchoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Questions have been asked of Moukoko’s ageCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Moukoko Sr said: “His age is right.
“Immediately after he was was born I registered him at the German consulate in Yaounde. We have a German birth certificate.
“For me he is not a wonderkid. I was even better as a kid.”
CONVEYOR BELT OF TALENT
Dortmund have a rich heritage in bleeding first class youngsters from their youth set-up to the first team.
Impressive Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old under Thomas Tuchel in 2016.
And more recently, Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho and Gio Reyna have made fans sit up and take notice of their ability.
Moukoko is the next big thing in Germany and has the world at his feetCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The German giants also spent around £30million on Birmingham City starlet Jude Bellingham, who himself only turned 17 back in June.
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said of Moukoko last November: “He’s an outstanding talent and we want him to learn how to train and play with adults.”
Now he has, the future looks exciting for Dortmund fans.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
