LAST month, Jamal Musiala became Bayern Munich’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Bundesliga – scoring in the 8-0 rout over Schalke.
And ahead of the Bavarians Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid tonight, he could make his Champions League bow too.
English wonderkid Jamal Musiala is Bayern Munich’s youngest ever scorer at just 17 years and 205 daysCredit: AFP
Musiala scored the landmark goal in an 8-0 win over Schalke and could be in line for a Champions League debut against Atletico MadridCredit: AFP
The former Chelsea academy ace was just 17 years and 205 days old when he came off the bench and made history against the side from Gelsenkirchen in September.
Musiala only made his first-team debut in June, coming on as a sub for Bayern Munich in their 3-1 win over SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga.
The promising attacking midfielder, plucked from the Blues in the summer of 2019, was a late replacement for club legend Thomas Muller with just a couple of minutes left on the clock.
It shows the potential the German giants see in the England youth star.
Earlier in June, Musiala scored his first two goals for the Bavarians, playing for their reserve side in Germany’s third tier, 3.Liga.
His double in the 2-0 win over FSV Zwickau made him the second youngest goalscorer in the history of that competition – aged just 17 years and 98 days.
Although Musiala was just 45 days short of the record set by David Alaba, the impressive feat was not lost on Bayern’s social media channels – with their official Twitter page sharing an image of Jamal with a lovestruck eyes emoji.
Musiala made his Bundesliga debut against SC Freiburg in JuneCredit: EPA
EARLY BEGINNINGS
Born in Stuttgart, Germany Musiala moved to Southampton aged seven to accompany his mother to study on a year abroad before moving to south London in 2011.
His natural talent was sniffed out by the Saints almost immediately before Chelsea snapped him up as he moved to the capital.
The club ensured he was educated at Whitgift Secondary School in Croydon – where Victor Moses and Bayern target Callum Hudson-Odoi also studied.
And the school’s director of football and former Crystal Palace striker Andrew Martin told DW Sports: “He would score 50+ goals for us a season, and he wasn’t far off that mark at Chelsea.
“Technically outstanding, very skillful, and a player who can score all types of goals, inside and outside the box. And he’s a great dribbler and likes to take players on, as he did against Schalke.
“He was always immaculately dressed for school and presented himself extremely well.
“And he would take that onto the football field, too: his conduct, his effort, his steely determination. Everything added up to him being the complete package.”
Musiala has now appeared six times for Bayern Munich in all competitions this seasonCredit: Getty – Pool
MOVING FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE
Despite Chelsea’s desperate attempts to keep Musiala at Stamford Bridge on a long-term deal, the Stuttgart-born youngster signed for Bayern Munich in 2019 on a five-year-contract.
He joined the trend of English youngsters leaving the UK for Germany in search of first team football, including Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson.
And he could’ve had another Chelsea player sharing that experience with him.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, who like Jamal is repped by First Access Sports, was a chief target for the German champions around the same time, before they turned their attentions to Musiala and the England international signed a new deal with the Blues.
ENGLAND OR GERMANY?
Although he was born in Germany, Musiala has starred for the Three Lions at youth level.
Astonishingly, he made his debut for the Under-15s at the tender age of 13.
Musiala (second from right) scored his first two professional goals in JuneCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
Musiala in action for England U17sCredit: Rex Features
Musiala plays as an attacking midfielder or second strikerCredit: Rex Features
In 2018 Musiala played for the Germany U16 team against BelgiumCredit: Getty Images – Getty
While for the U16 side he scored three times in nine games, providing two assists. Musiala has since appeared for England’s U17 team six times and scored twice.
However, he may be hedging his bets when it comes to international football.
The promising talent has also played twice for the German U16s, so expect a tug-of-war over his international future.
SUPER SUB
On June 3, Musiala made his professional debut over Preußen Münster in the 3. Liga – coming on as a sub in a 3-2 win.
A week later, he scored his first professional goals.
With Bayern struggling to break down FSV Zwickau, Musiala was introduced to proceedings replacing Malik Tillman after 57 minutes.
And he made the difference, with his two strikes coming in the 75th and 85th minutes to earn his side victory.
HE’S COLD AS ICE
His boss Sebastian Hoeness praised Musiala’s ice-cold demeanour after the game.
He revealed: “The boy is freezing cold. If you talk to him before the game, he appears focused, calm and reserved.
Musiala became the second youngest scorer in 3.Liga when he netted twice for Bayern MunichCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
Germany and England are set for a tug-of-war over Musiala’s international futureCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“But when he comes on the field, he literally explodes. That’s exactly what we want to see from young players. They should take your heart in your hand and be brave.”
He added: “We know that Jamal has great qualities with the ball. The boy helps us, so he deserves the chance.
“Against Zwickau, he rewarded himself and helped us a lot as a team, which makes me extremely happy.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
