When my age was questioned, I wanted to quit, admits 16-year-old Borussia Dortmund gem

Youssofa Moukoko will only turn 17 in the second half of November, yet he is already in Borussia Dortmund’s A-team and is considered one of the greatest gems of German football. However, the talented youngster has already managed to think about the end of his career.

Youssofa Moukoko is a giant talent. So huge that the Bundesliga rules were changed because of him. At least one. Players over the age of 16 and a half used to be allowed in the competition. However, that age limit has been lowered to a net 16.

Moukoko celebrated his 16th birthday on 20 December 2020, making his competitive debut in a Borussia Dortmund jersey just one day later, becoming the youngest player in the history of the German top flight.

A few days later, he also became the youngest player to play in the Champions League. Just a month later, he became the youngest ever Bundesliga goalscorer, scoring three times in 401 minutes played by the end of the season.

He could have scored more goals, but injuries plagued him. In short, it is no wonder that the Westphalian club sees great potential in him. The native of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, is simply one of the greatest talents of our time.

But that could all be over. Moukoko was born in Africa but moved to Hamburg as a young boy to live with his father. He was a member of St. Pauli for a long time before Borussia engaged him at the age of 12.

However, his life in Africa is partly shrouded in mystery and so there was speculation about his age after his rapid rise. After all, some African athletes have been found to have forged birth certificates. No speculation has been proven.

“These speculations were really a big burden for me. I didn’t want to live through it. I wanted to quit football,” Moukoko admitted in an interview with the Westdeutscher Allgemeine Zeitung.

Apart from that, the Dortmund jewel also experienced racism on the football pitches. In particular, fans of Schalke, Borussia’s hated rivals, gave him a severe psychological test during a youth team match.

At the same time, the young footballer would have liked nothing more than to be left alone to do what he is good at and what he loves, playing football. But now he is looking forward to his 17th birthday and to gaining his freedom and independence.

Source: Westdeutscher Allgemeine Zeitung