The Aussie is switching from the A-League to the Bundesliga at the start of next season. The forward has captured the spotlight with his dazzling dribbling and long-range efforts. Irankuda believes in his ability, and it is brilliant to watch him show this by taking free kicks for his club. He said, “I don’t think I can score tap-ins. I don’t like those types of goals.”
Watching the goals he has scored for Adelaide United, it is abundantly clear he truly believes that. At 15 years old, he scored the winner in a game against Newcastle Jets – the goal was from a free-kick in stoppage time. Not many youngsters get that responsibility in a league match, but it proves that the club supports his hype.
Surprisingly, Nestory Irankunda is the 6th youngest player to debut in the A-League at the age of 15 years and 333 days. He scored another two g squad, which is an off-season friendly that played against football giants Barcelona. The Aussie played just under half an hour against a strong Barcelona side. Irankunda said before the match Barcelona is his favourite club and Ousmane Dembele is his favourite player.
It’s funny that his favourite player is Dembele because when watching Irankunda, there are similarities in their game, notably being comfortable on either foot. Other players he could draw comparisons from are Jeremy Doku and Alejandro Garnacho. These two players are closer in age to Nestory, so these are the players he will be watching. What he has in common with Garnacho is the same disrespect. In terms of it does not matter who they are competing against as they focus on their ability.
Embed from Getty ImagesYoung Bavarians
Bayern is not a club that spends massively on young players to integrate with the first-team squad. Two young players they have brought in are Mathys Tel and Alphonso Davies, both playing regularly in the first-team. The signing of Nestory Irankunda draws more comparisons from the Davies transfer than Tel since both have signed from lesser footballing leagues. Davies signed from Vancouver Whitecaps, a Canadian side, in the MLS for around £12 million.
Davies initially signed for Bayern Munich II, their reserve team, where they nurture the talent before feeding them to the senior squad. The Canadian has since become a permanent fixture for Bayern Munich’s senior team. Like Irankunda, Davies played in the 2018 MLS All-Star match versus Juventus. The same year that he was voted Vancouver Whitecaps Player of the Year.
The other young player Bayern Munich signed was Mathys Tel, who signed from French club Rennes. Tel has a far greater price tag that reflects the amount of money in European football. So far, Tel has lived up to his price tag and rewarded Thomas Tuchel’s belief in picking him.
Nestory Irankunda has the ability and mindset of a quality player, and there is no doubt he can become a superstar. If he is to reach the highest level, it will be down to him to get there mentally. The young Australian will be hoping to finish the A-League season strong and get involved in more national team camps.
Definitely! Hope we get to see his quality next season.
He has the potential to be world-class, great move for him.