WHAT a way to announce yourself on the big stage.
Last weekend, at the tender age of just 17 years and 136 days, Bayern Munich wonderkid Mathys Tel became the youngest goalscorer in the club’s Bundesliga history.
His strike against Stuttgart came just 10 days after he scored in the 5-0 rout of Viktoria Koln in the DFB Pokal – again becoming the youngest player to find the net in a competitive match.
Tel moved to the Bavarians in July for a staggering £26million from French club Rennes, after he played just 49 MINUTES in Ligue 1.
Exploding on the scene
A former youth academy at Paris FC, Tel began his professional career at Rennes.
After starring in the youth teams, he was fast-tracked to their B team, where he scored six goals in as many games.
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Frighteningly quick, a lethal finisher, and standing at 6ft tall with a leggy frame he has drawn comparisons to a France and Arsenal legend who is also of Guadeloupean descent.
‘The new Thierry Henry’ has been suggested, although he will have some work on his hands to live up that billing.
Breakthrough
In 2021-22, Tel was given his chance in Rennes’ first team.
He made his debut in August last year, coming on as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Brest.
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His appearance at just 16 years and 110 days made him the youngest ever player to appear in Ligue 1.
It shattered Eduardo Camavinga’s record – who was also given his opportunity at Rennes.
Tel did not score in his 49 minutes but his exploits for France’s U17s – who won the Euros at that age level in 2022 – got him noticed by the world’s top clubs.
He netted three times in the competition as Les Bleus swept all before them.
It was inevitable a big move would come – but perhaps more surprising it was made so soon.
‘One of the greatest talents in Europe’
Back in July, Bayern Munich beat off competition to lure Tel away from France.
They paid a record fee for him – somewhere in the region of £26milion – that eclipsed Borussia Dortmund’s signing of Jude Bellingham from Birmingham and made him the most expensive 17-year-old in history. Another record.
He inked a five-year deal with the Germans, with both parties delighted with the transfer.
Tel told the club’s official website: “FC Bayern is one of the best teams in the world. I’m really looking forward to this great challenge and will give everything for this club.
“The talks with Hasan Salihamidžić and those responsible at FC Bayern really impressed me and made me quickly realize that I absolutely wanted to go to Munich.”
Salihamidžić was equally as buoyed by the capture.
He said: “He is one of the greatest talents in Europe. He is fast, has strong technique and is a versatile striker.
“We followed him for a long time and this time we managed to convince him to come to Munich. We are proud of this because many teams courted him.”
Already, Tel is showing why Bayern paid big money to sign him with two goals in five games.
With the sale of Robert Lewandowski, a new hero is needed. And it looks like the Bundesliga champions have found their man for years to come.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
