Germany's World Cup child prodigy Moukoko: 17-year-old storm jewel in the footsteps of Pelé

Created: 2022-11-10, 4:58 p.m

By: Christoph Klaucke

Youssoufa Moukoko is in the World Cup squad for the German national team.

The young Borussia Dortmund striker brings back memories of Brazil's Pelé.

Frankfurt – The World Cup dream has come true.

Youssoufa Moukoko was called up to the DFB squad for the 2022 World Cup by national coach Hansi Flick at the age of just 17, without ever having played an international match for Germany.

Many are now asking themselves the question: who is this child prodigy from Borussia Dortmund?

And more importantly: Can Moukoko shoot the German national team to the World Cup title in Qatar?

The Storm Jewel follows in the footsteps of Brazilian legend Pelé.

Youssoufa Moukoko: Flick nominates 17-year-old child prodigy for Germany's World Cup squad

"I'm just incredibly happy and overwhelmed," writes Youssoufa Moukoko, who will only turn 18 on the day of the World Cup opening game on November 20, on Instagram.

"He has developed well, he gives a lot to a team," praised Flick at the press conference on the DFB squad.

The national coach described the BVB attacker as "fast, lively and good at finishing" and emphasized: "We're looking forward to him."

At the age of 12 years and 311 days, Moukoko was already playing in the U16 national team, he was by far the youngest player to set one goal record after another in the junior leagues and there are already eleven goals in the Bundesliga in all seasons.

No football professional was younger at this brand.

Now the next record follows for Moukoko: Flick nominated him for the World Cup squad - as the youngest World Cup participant in DFB history.

Youssoufa Moukoko plays for Germany at the 2022 World Cup.

© Swen Pförtner/dpa

Moukoko in the DFB squad: 17-year-old BVB striker is going to the World Cup

"I just can't believe it - at this time last year I felt like I was still out of the window, struggling with a lot of injuries and little playing time.

Nevertheless, I always tried to stay positive and believe in myself," Moukoko gives an insight into his emotional world.

"I knew what I could achieve and now just to be able to be part of a World Cup, a goal that players dream of all their careers - makes me incredibly proud.

All the hard work has paid off.”

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Moukoko has earned a regular place at Borussia Dortmund this season and won the duel with Anthony Modeste, who is twice his age.

With six goals and four assists in the Bundesliga, Moukoko is Dortmund's top scorer and assist.

In the World Cup nomination, Moukoko may also have benefited from the cancellations of Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) and Lukas Nmecha (VfL Wolfsburg) due to injury.

Böhme, Odonkor, Kramer: Germany's most surprising World Cup nominations

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Moukoko like Pele?

17-year-old should shoot Germany to the World Cup title

As the youngest World Cup participant in DFB history, Moukoko inevitably brings back memories of the Brazilian Pelé.

The then 17-year-old also came to the 1958 World Cup as a clean sheet, leading Brazil to their first World Cup title with six goals in four games.

Moukoko may be a few months older than young Pelé when he made his World Cup debut, but could now have a similarly meteoric start with the national team.

When it comes to a computer, however, the future world champion does not come from Germany.

Moukoko only came to Germany at the age of almost ten years, before that he grew up with his grandparents in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.

His father finally brought him to Hamburg in 2014, where he played for FC St. Pauli as a youth.

In the summer of 2016, Moukoko moved to Dortmund.

Curious: while Moukoko is playing for Germany, FC Bayern striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who was born in Hamburg, has gone the opposite way and is wearing the national shirt of Cameroon.