Germany: the prodigy Youssoufa Moukoko, 15, responds to racism with a hat-trick
Forward Youssoufa Moukoko in training with Borussia Dortmund on August 3, 2020. Martin Meissner / AP Photo
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
5 mins
15-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko shows enormous potential under the colors of Borussia Dortmund.
The striker, Cameroonian of origin, signed another superb performance Sunday, October 18, scoring three goals with the Under-19s against Schalke 04 (3-2).
But in Germany, the racist insults and threats to which he was subjected provoke indignation.
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Despite his young age, he has been advertised as an emerging phenomenon for a few years now.
And it is not his last performances that will calm the most enthusiastic.
Youssoufa Moukoko, 15 years and 11 months (he will celebrate his 16th birthday on November 20), has just scored his third hat-trick in three games with the Under-19 team of Borussia Dortmund, Germany.
After SV Wehen Weisbaden in the cup and Preußen Münster in the league, the striker put it back on Sunday 18 October, still in the league, and not in any game: against the under-19s of Schalke 04, the local rival of the Borussia, and more outside.
His new hat-trick allowed BVB to win this derby (3-2).
pic.twitter.com/E2UcT6JcQh
Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) October 18, 2020
"I am proud to be born with this color of skin and I will always be proud of it"
Powerful, Youssoufa Moukouko once again demonstrated his qualities which make him one of the most followed young people in Europe.
The images of his hat-trick quickly made the rounds on social networks.
But his Sunday performance was marred by a much less brilliant controversy, provoked by spectators.
The teenager was attacked by supporters of Schalke 04, who threatened to "
break his bones
" and hurled racist slurs at him.
Behaviors that prompted Schalke 04 to take a stand shortly after.
On social networks, the club has logically put aside the rivalry between it and Borussia to defend Youssoufa Moukouko.
Schalke 04 thanks the player for reporting the reprehensible facts that have occurred and apologizes to him: “
We condemn such insults in the strongest possible way and expressly reject them.
We will take the necessary measures.
"
Wir können uns bei Youssoufa #Moukoko für die Aussagen einiger Fans beim # U19S04BVB der @knappenschmiede nur entschuldigen.
Bei allen Emotionen im Derby - solche Beleidigungen verurteilen wir aufs Schärfste und lehnen sie ausdrücklich ab.
pic.twitter.com/8MNzyV1hU3
FC Schalke 04 (@ s04) October 18, 2020
On Instagram, the Dortmund player also reacted.
“
I am proud to be born with this skin color and will always be proud of it,
” he wrote in a “story”, adding the hashtag (hashtag) #BlackLivesMatter.
The prodigy soon in the big leagues
In December 2019, another match of young professional teams had provoked a lively controversy against a background of racism.
The under-16s of Hertha Berlin had left the field
and refused to end their match against VfB Auerbach 1906 (when they were leading 2-0), to denounce the racist insults uttered by some of their opponents.
Youssoufa Moukoko's mishap did not give rise to such a reaction.
But the young talent was not impressed so far.
According to testimonies, racist slurs against him started after his second goal.
They did not prevent him from registering a third, that of victory, with a big strike launched 25 meters away from the cage.
Born in Yaoundé in 2004, arrived in Germany at the age of 10, Youssoufa Moukoko is already playing with the youth teams of the German selections.
And he also trains with the professional squad of Borussia Dortmund.
Because he is not yet 16, he is not allowed to play with the first team in official competition (hence his presence with the under 19s).
But it should not be long, because Borussia has included him on their list of players who will play in the Champions League.
After his birthday, on November 20, Youssoufa Moukouko will be able to play in the Bundesliga as well as in the Champions League.
He could well become the youngest player in C1 history this winter and erase the previous record set in 1994 by Nigerian Celestine Babayaro, who was 16 years and 86 days old when he played for Belgian club Anderlecht.
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