A great talent from Borussia Dortmund promised a golden future since he was 12, Youssoufa Moukoko has crushed all records for precociousness in the youth categories. Integrated into the Borussia Dortmund squad since the 2020/2021 season, he has had a great experience there with 72 matches played, 12 goals and 8 offerings for just under two years. A gradual rise in power which required confirmation last season. Hesitating about an extension following a playing time still quite low for his taste, the native of Yaoundé had finally decided to extend his lease with the Marsupials until June 2026 last January.
A great start to the 2022/2023 season
“It’s no secret that I feel good at BVB. I played in the youth teams, took my first steps in professional football here and now I’m ready to take the next step in my development with the club. I feel the confidence of the technical staff and I have here an environment in which I can flourish perfectly. Of course I was honored by the interest from other clubs, but in the end it was a decision of the heart. The fans have always supported me and I want to give something back to them and to the club.” he explained after having made this decision. A choice that was simplified following the desire of his coach Edin Terzic to integrate him more into the team. At the start of last season, Sébastien Haller suffered from testicular cancer and was available for a long time. The arrival of Anthony Modeste thus left him with competition within his reach and he knew how to take advantage of it.
This was also quickly felt since Youssoufa Moukoko started strong especially on the second day against Friborg (3-1) where he scored and delivered two offerings in 20 minutes. A reference entry and which gave him great confidence. Scoring 6 goals and delivering 6 assists in all competitions in 22 games, the left-hander finally seemed launched towards the heights. This also allowed him to compete in the last World Cup with Germany (2 capes, including an entry against Japan in the competition). Everything was going in the best possible way for Youssoufa Moukoko but the transition to the year 2023 complicated the situation.
2023, a cursed year for Youssoufa Moukoko
Little in sight against Augsburg (4-3) and Mainz (2-1) on recovery, he saw the competition pass him by after these two missed performances. Faced with the return of Sébastien Haller, things got complicated for Youssoufa Moukoko, especially as the Ivorian striker was able to prove himself effective (9 goals and 5 offerings in 22 games). A situation badly experienced by the young striker also passed again behind Anthony Modeste in the hierarchy. In addition, he suffered a syndesmotic ligament rupture which caused him to miss a month of competition between mid-February and mid-March. As a result, over the whole of 2023, he has only 1 goal in 13 matches played.
Victim of the good series of his team, he also experienced a catastrophic Euro U21. Mute against Israel (1-1) in the first match and left on the bench in the following two matches, he had been the victim of racist insults on social networks. “When we win we’re all Germans and when we lose we’re black and monkeys… Things like that just don’t belong in football. It’s disgusting” he had also reacted. A chain of unfortunate events that will have slowly taken over the brilliant start of the young striker’s season.
A future still unclear
In a context where he is more or less back to square one, rumors of a departure came back at the end of last season. In an interview for Ruhr Nachrichtenhe nevertheless confirmed his desire to stay: “my decision was actually clear from the start: I want to play here in Dortmund. I am far from finished here. I have a coach who trusts me and who is honest with me. However, he hinted at a message as to the fact that he could be aligned alongside Sébastien Haller: “Of course other clubs who play with two strikers and where I would have had a better chance of getting a regular place were also interested.”
A file closed, but not locked, which therefore suggests a flaw even if for the moment Youssoufa Moukoko is focused on the next exercise. Returned earlier to training as explained Sky Sports Germany, the 18-year-old intends to be there quickly, he who will start the season with the status of Sébastien Haller’s understudy. If he will try to turn things around knowing that Edin Terzic does not intend to associate Youssoufa Moukoko and Sébastien Haller, the German striker will have to ask himself the right questions if he does not manage to pull out of the game. paths, Youssoufa Moukoko can see his career take different turns…
