Wunderkind Moukoko, 16, on verge of making Bundesliga history

Source: AFP Published: 2020/11/19 16:43:41

Teen prodigy Youssoufa ­Moukoko could become the youngest debutant in Bundesliga history this weekend as Borussia Dortmund hint that the German goal-scoring sensation may make his senior debut the day after his 16th birthday.

If he plays at Hertha Berlin on Saturday evening, Moukoko will set a new Bundesliga record having already sent goal records tumbling in German youth football.

"I read what the media write, but I don't put any pressure on myself," Moukoko told Dortmund's website in a rare interview during which the club hinted he could feature in Berlin.

Even if his league debut comes only in the following weeks, the confident teen is "not worried - I know I will make my debut at some point."

Nuri Sahin, whose record is under threat by Moukoko, wants to see the teen make his Bundesliga debut, because "the Under-19s is too easy for him."

Sahin, now 32, was 16 years, 335 days when he made his Dortmund debut in 2005, giving Moukoko ample time to break the record.

Moukoko could also make his Champions League debut this autumn to break the record of Celestine Babayaro, who was 16 years, 87 days when he played for Anderlecht in the 1994-95 group stages.

Moukoko has already trained with Dortmund's first team on the back of his goal-scoring feats for the youth team.

Despite often facing opponents four years his senior, the robust 15-year-old is captain of Dortmund's U19 team and has scored 13 goals in just four games so far this season.

His stats are part of a mind-blowing total of 47 goals with 10 assists in just 25 matches for Dortmund U19s over two seasons.

"Youssoufa Moukoko has a talent that you don't come across that often," commented Germany coach Joachim Loew.



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