It isn’t often that a teenage boy makes the headlines in the world of football. It’s a rare occurrence and one usually reserved for the very best youth prospects. A 16-year-old Wayne Rooney after breaking into the Everton first-team back in 2002, for example, or Martin Odegaard debuting for the Norwegian national team aged 15.
The latest name on the list is Karamoko Dembele - a 13-year-old boy who has climbed steadily up the Celtic youth ranks over the last few years.
The youngster began to garner attention after videos of his footballing exploits were posted online, as he floated effortlessly past his opponents during a youth tournament. His brilliant displayed earned him the Player of the Tournament awards at the Bassevelde Cup and the St Kevin’s Boys Club Academy Cup - both famed honours in the Under-15s scene.
However, his name really began to crop up after the attacking midfielder debuted for the Scottish club’s Under 20s side last month, playing alongside players that were five, six, seven years his senior, with national newspapers soon after picking up on his incredible rise.
That appearance would last just nine minutes, and despite some concern about the impact of fast-tracking such a young player, Dembele took his chance and was able to blend in among his more experienced teammates.
The appearance has seen the youngster labelled as the ‘New Messi’ in recent weeks, but who exactly is the 13-year-old prodigy?
Born in London, England to parents from the Ivory Coast, Dembele moved to Scotland when he was five years old, joining Park Villa boys club soon after. According to then-coach David Feeney, his ability with the ball was almost unbelievable, given his age.
“He’d be in a group with kids who couldn’t control the ball without using their hands. At the same time, Karamoko would rattle off 100 keepy-uppies,” Feeney stated. “The things he could do with a ball, even then, were incredible.”
It is early days yet for the schoolboy, but the interest that he has generated over the last month suggests that those within the sport believe that he will go on to become one of the best players in the game. While Scotland, England and the Ivory Coast are all battling to secure his international future, the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all reportedly interested in signing him up to their own youth teams.
Of course, it is easy to forget that nine minutes with the U20s is far from the Barcelona first-team. Perhaps it is premature to nickname him the New Messi, especially given the numerous players that have been similarly branded only to fall short in the past, but it is clear as day that the boy has bags of talent and potential.
If he can cope with the media attention that will undoubtedly crop up over the next few months, continue to work hard and prove himself at each level of the youth game, The Etihad, Allianz Arena or Camp Nou will surely beckon at some stage in his career.