Some players are just destined for greatness from the moment they step on the pitch, their debuts so magnificent the entire stadium recognizes the kid on display is special. Like a 17-year-old Alan Shearer netting a hat trick against Arsenal in his debut, some introductions are seminal events that will never be forgotten.
Jesús Vallejo did not have such a debut for Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.
A bit of absolute tomfoolery was accomplished in the Romanian Cup on Wednesday when 14-year-old Ianis Stoica was handed his professional debut in Steaua Bucharest’s match against Sanatatea Cluj as a substitute and duly scored in the 92nd minute of his side’s 6-1 victory.
At the age of 14 years, ten months and 13 days, Stoica is now the youngest ever goalscorer in the history of the 26-time Romanian champions.
Make it back-to-back hat-tricks for 17-year-old Liverpool talent Rhian Brewster at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. After hitting the United States for three in England’s 4-1 victory in the quarterfinals, the London-born striker again found the back of the net thrice, this time in the Three Lions’ 3-1 victory over Brazil in the semifinals.
Brewster, who scored on his Liverpool U-23 debut back in January, now leads the tournament’s Golden Boot race with seven goals. He also bravely struck the first penalty in England’s Round of 16 shootout triumph over Japan.
Hirving “Chucky” Lozano signed with PSV Eindhoven last June looking to cement his growing reputation in Europe and follow in the footsteps of players like Arjen Robben, Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum — all former PSV talents that honed their skills there before moving to some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
There’s nothing more elegant than a well-executed Zidane turn. The Roulette is the most visually satisfying way to split two defenders, leaving a trail of markers in the 360’s wake while immediately elevating the dribbler to the status of Hugo Boss pants.
Tim Weah is the son of a Ballon d’Or winner. Tim Weah is a Paris Saint-Germain player. Tim Weah is American. Tim Weah scored a hat trick on Monday. Tim Weah helped the U.S. into the U-17 World Cup quarterfinals. Tim Weah is, like, Weah good.
Being handed his Norwegian senior debut at 15 and promised first team training with Real Madrid at 16 was clearly too much too soon for the now 18-year-old Martin Odegaard, but to call the precociously talented midfielder a burn out for failing to disrupt the back-to-back European champions’ starting XI is obviously extremely harsh.
Tuesday was a nightmare for U.S. soccer, but soccer does not stop because the U.S. won’t be in the World Cup next summer in Russia. In fact, the U.S. is competing at a World Cup right now — the U-17 World Cup in India — and the team is doing quite well.
Because Christian Pulisic is too old and will never accomplish anything, we present to you the next American Messi: 9-year-old Alessandro Cupini (no relation to Cuphead). The Kansas City native will be moving to Italy next year to train with AS Roma according to a press release, an impressive step for a young American.