By Oliver Trust
Berlin, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- For many in Germany, their 16th birthday might be good reason to throw a big party after being allowed to buy their first beer legally. For equally good reason, Youssoufa Moukoko is going to bed early this Friday evening to get some sleep to prepare for what is expected to be his big day.
This Saturday, the Cameroon-born striker might well set another record if he appears for the Black and Yellows' Bundesliga match in the Berlin Olympic stadium.
The league's rules will allow him to become the youngest ever player in the top German division at the age of 16 years and one day.
He will outstrip Nuri Sahin, who made his first division debut 335 days after his 16th birthday.
In statistics, his first game might just be another record. He is already a record breaker after scoring goals galore in the junior teams in which he was by far the youngest player.
A stunning 141 goals in 88 games for the U-17 and U-19 teams tell a story, as do 13 in four games this season in Dortmund's under-19 squad.
The youngster has continuously put in breathtaking performances, giving him a reputation as a wunderkind.
If he does get to play in the league encounter against Hertha BSC, Moukoko will find out just how quickly adolescents can be wrong.
Back on August 1 in 2020, he assumed: "I won't ever experience a day like that again." The brilliant forward had just gone through his first training session with Borussia's first team.
He called it overwhelming and surreal as "I didn't really know where I had landed. I just thought, wow."
Comparisons with football's giants such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo might be exaggerated but don't seem to end.
Doubts about his real age have accompanied his fantastic journey since joining the Hamburg club St. Pauli in 2014.
Moukoko's father, Joseph, repeatedly pointed out the authenticity of his son's birth certificate. Despite presenting official documents, the Hamburg resident couldn't allay every allegation after his son joined him seven years ago after being raised by his grandparents in Yaounde.
Considering the hype around him, it seems remarkable just how calm the youngster is responding to the hype around him.
"He does everything to create a great career in professional football," Dortmund Youth director Lars Ricken said. The 1997 Champions League winner isn't getting tired of talking about his protege's determination.
Often Moukoko is doing personal training sessions at 7:00 in the morning.
The highly praised footballer explains his single-mindedness by saying: "I don't listen to what others say, I stick to my way."
He might have followed the strategy when his club asked him to steam the number 18 onto his first professional shirt.
Long before Moukoko takes the field this Saturday, companies involved in professional football have already taken possession of the promising talent.
The sports goods giant Nike provided an endorsement contract worth several million euros before he even turned 15. His club announced that they will soon be giving him a significant pay rise so that he will earn up to three million euros per season.
Besides that, the 2012 German champion has strengthened his reputation as a haven for young footballers. Jadon Sancho, Giovanni Reyna, and Jude Bellingham were 17 when first appearing in the side's shirt.
"We are always happy when youngsters make their way into the first team, but in this case, it is special. He just deserves it maybe more than anyone else," Ricken commented. Enditem
