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Musiala: The young German superstar who used to play for England

Jamal musiala holding a football and posingImage source, Getty Images
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Germany's Jamal Musiala has been making waves in the Euro 2024 tournament

"Brilliant", "Starboy" and "Our best player" - these are just some of the things people have been saying about Germany's Jamal Musiala.

The 21-year-old football player received a standing ovation from fans in Germany's recent match against Hungary in the Euros, after helping them to become the first side at to reach the last 16.

Musiala has been making waves in the tournament, scoring a goal in their 5-1 win over Scotland to be named Player of the Match, and again in their 2-0 victory over Hungary.

He is the second youngest player in European Championships history to score in each of their first two games.

But how did Musiala become the boy-wonder of Germany? Take a look below to find out...

Musiala: Growing up in England

Image source, BBC Sport
Image caption,

Jamal Musiala has loved football since a young age, and competed in lots of tournaments during his time with Chelsea's youth team

Jamal Musiala was born in Stuttgart in Germany to a British-Nigerian father named Daniel and a German mother called Carolin.

He lived in the German city of Fulda, before moving to England with his family at the age of seven.

After the move, he played for local youth football teams and even took part in, and won, a school tournament at Wembley.

Growing up he played for Southampton's youth academy, before signing to Chelsea's youth team aged eight.

Why Musiala decided to play for Germany

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Musiala returned back to his German roots and joined Bayern Munich

In 2019, aged 16, Musiala left Chelsea to join the German club, Bayern Munich's youth side.

He moved up to the senior Bayern Munich squad after just 11 months, when at the age of 17, he became the youngest ever player to play and score in the German league, the Bundesliga.

He also became the youngest goal scorer in the Champions League, after scoring against Lazio in the European competition.

Musiala represented England from Under 15s level through to Under 21s.

But in 2021Musiala decided to switch to the German national team and was selected to play for the team in the delayed Euro 2020 - where he became the youngest German player to feature in a major tournament.

"It was a hard decision, I thought over it for a long time about what I was going to do, but at the end of the day, it was just what was best for me and where I would feel most comfortable," Musiala said in an interview with the BBC.

"I still have no regrets," he added.

Musiala: Mates with Jude Bellingham

Growing up, Musiala played at England youth level with midfield star, Jude Bellingham.

The pair still have a close friendship, even though they could become rivals on the pitch during Euro 2024.

"I still have love for England," Musiala says.

"My boys are there; Jude is always wishing me the best. We're still very good friends and every England camp we were always together."

What have people said about him?

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Image caption,

Musiala won Player of the Match in Germany's Euro 2024 match against Scotland

"He can be the Messi of the future, he is excellent," said Germany's 1990 World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthäus to BBC Sport

"I have loved him for the last two years, I love his style of football and I love his personality.

"he is doing the things that will make him a top footballer. He has great passing, he is clever with his thinking and he loves football." he said.

Speaking about Musiala, BBC Sport's Thomas Hitzlsperger said: "His qualities that stand out are his technique and understanding of the game, plus the bravery to deal with heavy tackles, take players on and find solutions in tight areas - I have not seen that from a German player for many, many years."