The Rise and Challenges of Youssoufa Moukoko, Once Dubbed ‘The African Messi’
Being likened to Lionel Messi in any context brings intense scrutiny and enormous expectations. For Youssoufa Moukoko, those comparisons came early—while he was still a teenager—which meant his every move was closely watched.
At just 14, Moukoko burst onto the scene with Borussia Dortmund, raising hopes that he might follow in the footsteps of club icons like Marco Reus and Mario Götze. But now, six years later, that trajectory seems far less certain.
Although he’s only 20, Moukoko still has time to rediscover the form that once made him look like a generational talent. He’s preparing to leave Dortmund and take on a new chapter in his career.
A Record-Breaking Start at Dortmund
Moukoko earned the nickname “the African Messi” after making history as the youngest-ever player to appear in the Bundesliga, debuting for Dortmund a day after his 16th birthday. His youth record—141 goals and 27 assists in just 88 games—made him one of the most hyped young prospects in football.
Confident in his abilities, Moukoko once declared his aspirations to win the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or while playing for Dortmund. In 2019, he told SportBild:
> “My goal is to become a professional with Dortmund, win the Champions League with Borussia, and win the Ballon d’Or.”
At the time, many in the football world believed those dreams were within reach. That’s how highly rated he was.
While he showed flashes of brilliance in Dortmund colors, things didn’t unfold as expected. Although he made it to the 2024 Champions League final with the team, his career hasn’t yet reached the elite level many anticipated.
A disappointing loan spell at OGC Nice during the 2024–25 season, where he scored just twice in 22 games, marked a downturn. He is now poised to leave Dortmund permanently. Whether he can emulate players like Ousmane Dembélé—who also faced early setbacks but became a top performer—remains to be seen.
Comparisons to Lionel Messi
Though he chose to represent Germany internationally, Moukoko was born in Cameroon, which led to the moniker “the African Messi.” He was often compared to Messi not just by fans, but by legends of the game.
In 2020, former Barcelona star Samuel Eto’o named Moukoko as Messi’s potential successor at Barcelona, telling Goal:
> “There’s a young player at Dortmund called Youssoufa Moukoko. At 15, he’s the best young player after Messi in my eyes. As Messi ages, Barcelona should prepare the future.”
Eto’o believed Moukoko could thrive at Barcelona, even suggesting a future front line featuring Antoine Griezmann, Moukoko, and Kylian Mbappé.
Future Moves and a New Beginning
Back in late 2022, German media reported that Manchester United and Liverpool were both interested in signing Moukoko. Despite the speculation, no transfer happened, and he stayed at Dortmund for another couple of years.
Now, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Moukoko has agreed to join Danish club FC Copenhagen. While the team plays in the Champions League regularly, Moukoko will no longer be in the spotlight. His next steps will be crucial in shaping whether he can still fulfill the potential many once believed was limitless.
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