When Tottenham face FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, one name may stand out: Youssoufa Moukoko. The former Borussia Dortmund starlet, once hailed as ‘the biggest talent in the world’ by Erling Haaland, now finds himself at the Danish club after a turbulent few years.
Moukoko’s early rise was meteoric. He scored 50 goals for Dortmund’s under-17s at 14, and 34 in 20 games for the under-19s. On his 16th birthday, he became the youngest Bundesliga player ever, soon adding records in the Champions League and league scoring. Dortmund, known for developing stars like Jude Bellingham and Ousmane Dembélé, seemed to have another gem.
But a series of small injuries, a change of manager, and a failed loan at Nice derailed his progress. At Nice, he scored only twice in 22 appearances, later admitting he lay awake at night thinking about his struggles. His agent’s incendiary interview last summer accelerated his departure from Dortmund, with Copenhagen paying just £4.3m.
Moukoko now hopes to revive his career in Denmark. He told Danish broadcaster TV2 that the tough times taught him humility: ‘I’ve experienced what it’s like to be at the top and the bottom. It taught me to keep my feet on the ground.’ Facing Tottenham offers a chance to remind the football world of his talent.
