Latest news with #KidMessi
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd fend off interest to complete their best business of summer window
There may not have been much to shout about at Manchester United to date this summer. However, tying down 14-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel, widely considered among the best talents of his generation, suggests there are still strong reasons to be excited about the future. The mercurial teenage sensation - dubbed 'Kid Messi' - is rated so highly within the club, Cristiano Ronaldo previously took a shine to him during his second spell at Old Trafford. Gabriel caught the eye of the United legend and six-time Ballon d'Or winner when featured in the same Red Devils youth side as Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, whom he formed a close friendship with. While United have spent the past few weeks haggling over a transfer fee with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo, director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves have struck gold with Gabriel. It's understood the pair have both played instrumental roles in edging an agreement with one of the world's most highly-coveted young stars over the line. United's Premier League rivals had been monitoring the situation closely and were ready to pounce should they have received any encouragement Gabriel might be available. Crucially, he also holds an Irish passport and that is significant because it means Gabriel would be able to feature for teams within the European Union from the age of just 16. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have all been attentive to the situation because usually, gems such as Gabriel are not considered attainable until they've turned 18. For all of their flaws, INEOS have put huge emphasis on the continued importance of their academy and youth development since purchasing their 27.7 per cent stake in United in February 2024. There is total confidence Gabriel has all the tools to become a first-team regular at the Theatre of Dreams having already scored three goals - two on his debut against Leeds - for United's U18s. He also made his England U15 debut in February and is currently the talk of Carrington having frequently wowed club staff. Last October, 'Kid Messi' suffered a heavy, early blow and dislocated his shoulder in a Floodlit Cup fixture against Blackburn Rovers. Medical staff were reluctant to allow him to continue despite successfully popping it back into the joint. Gabriel insisted he wanted to make amends and he did so by scoring a stunning treble whilst also notching an assist. It spoke volumes of his character, perseverance and dedication to succeed at one of the world's most-famous footballing institutions. United are due to report for pre-season tomorrow and in the past week, Gabriel has been pictured sporting a training kit with an official squad number of 95. He is not 15 until October and cannot sign professional terms until his 17th birthday. But given Ruben Amorim has needed no invitation to hand youth-team prospects senior minutes, there is every chance Gabriel is on track to become United's youngest-ever player. The record is currently held by goalkeeper David Gaskell, who was 16 and 19 days old when he figured for United in 1956. Sky has slashed the price of its bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more. Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Man United 'break shirt number history' for 'Kid Messi' wonderkid, 14 - as Red Devils close in on new deal for teen wanted by major European clubs
Manchester United have reportedly handed wonderkid JJ Gabriel a unique squad number. Gabriel, 14, who has been dubbed as 'Kid Messi ', is viewed as one of the most exciting prospects the Red Devils have ever produced. Mail Sport reported on Monday how the 14-year-old is set to sign a new deal with the club despite interest from several major European teams, including United's rivals . Red Devils' director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves are said to have made a crucial intervention in the last week to persuade the teenager to remain in the north west. Gabriel has subsequently been handed an official squad number for the new season and he posted a picture on social media wearing United's training gear on Tuesday. However, eagle-eyed fans noticed something different about the number the 14-year-old had been given. Several of United's rivals were 'desperate' to get Gabriel who has been dubbed as 'Kid Messi' Gabriel was smiling with his thumbs up in United shorts and T-shirt in the picture with his squad number of 95 emblazoned on his gear. And, according to Transfermarkt, that is the highest squad number in history handed out to a United player. The previous record was held by Godwill Kunoki, a 17-year-old centre back, who wore the No 87 in 2024-25 and remains on the club's books. Meanwhile, Gabriel, who recently signed a lucrative sponsorship deal with Nike and scored a brace on his United Under 18s debut back in April, grew up in London and previously had spells at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham. The wonderkid, whose full name is Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, honed his technique in futsal as much as in football. There is considerable hype surrounding Gabriel, and Alfie Brooks, owner of Ole Futsal and Gabriel's specialist one-to-one coach, claimed he is already capable of stepping into a Premier League dressing room. 'When he first started training, [his competitiveness] was the standout attribute,' Brooks previously told Mail Sport's Nathan Salt. 'I've coached nearly 1,000 academy players over my time - four of them in Josh Nichols (Arsenal), Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) and Tyrique George (Chelsea) have made their senior debuts - and JJ is the best I've ever seen. 'He could go into a Premier League changing room right now and technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn't even be close.' Ronaldo Snr also took a shine to Gabriel, giving him a signed shirt upon leaving United At the age of six, he spent a week focusing on his keepy-ups. By the end of that week he could do 1,000 in a row, and was fast becoming the best player in matches against players years older than him. At nine, Gabriel went viral with a YouTube video he appeared in under the moniker 'Kid Messi', a nickname the youngster is keen to shed, and now at 14 he is being called into the Under 18s as United press the accelerator on his development. But it is Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar who many talent-spotters believe he could one day mirror, more so than Messi. Meanwhile, when Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr was part of the United academy, he struck up a very close friendship with Gabriel. Presented together at Old Trafford with the No 7 (Ronaldo) and No 10 (Gabriel) shirts, they grew close and would often spend time together away from the pitch at Ronaldo Snr's seven-bedroom mansion. The Portugal and United icon even took a shine to young Gabriel, giving him a signed shirt as a parting gift before he left Manchester for Saudi Arabia. Dan Ashworth, who was axed as sporting director by Sir Jim Ratcliffe last season, was another admirer of Gabriel while one team-mate in the Under 18s spoke of being 'blown away' by seeing the 14-year-old in their training sessions. Gabriel's career to date has been managed to the letter by his family with superstardom in mind. His dad, former Republic of Ireland international Joe O'Cearuill, changed the family's surname to Gabriel in a nod to their religious beliefs as well as making the United starlet more brandable. The decision was also taken to home-school Gabriel to maximise his prospects in football, while he follows a very strict diet to enhance performance. He is, to all intents and purposes, already operating as a top professional, and made his England Under 15 debut in February.
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Man United 14-year-old wonderkid dubbed 'Kid Messi' who wowed Cristiano Ronaldo is set to sign new deal at Old Trafford - after 'crucial' intervention avoids poaching disaster
Manchester United 's 14-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel has committed his future to the Red Devils following a crucial intervention from club chiefs. Mail Sports understands that Red Devils' director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves stepped in in the last week to persuade the teenager - dubbed 'Kid Messi ' - to remain in the north west. In March, it was revealed that several of United's rivals were 'desperate' to get Gabriel, who, in holding an Irish passport, was allowed to play in the European Union from the age of 16 when otherwise he would have to wait until 18. Gabriel, full name Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, grew up in London and had spells at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham. He honed his technique in futsal as much as in football. There is considerable hype surrounding the youngster, who Alfie Brooks, owner of Ole Futsal and Gabriel's specialist one-to-one coach, claims is already capable of stepping into a Premier League dressing room. Several of United's rivals were 'desperate' to get Gabriel, who, in holding an Irish passport, was allowed to play in the European Union from the age of 16 'When he first started training, [his competitiveness] was the standout attribute,' Brooks told Mail Sport's Nathan Salt. 'I've coached nearly 1,000 academy players over my time - four of them in Josh Nichols (Arsenal), Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) and Tyrique George (Chelsea) have made their senior debuts - and JJ is the best I've ever seen. 'He could go into a Premier League changing room right now and technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn't even be close.' At the age of six, he spent a week focusing on his keepy-ups. By the end of that week he could do 1,000 in a row, and was fast becoming the best player in matches against players years older than him. At nine, Gabriel went viral with a YouTube video he appeared in under the moniker 'Kid Messi', a nickname the youngster is keen to shed, and now at 14 he is being called into the Under 18s as United press the accelerator on his development. It is Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar who many talent-spotters believe he could one day mirror, more so than Messi. When Cristiano Ronaldo Jr was part of the United academy, he struck up a very close friendship with Gabriel. Presented together at Old Trafford with the No 7 (Ronaldo) and No 10 (Gabriel) shirts, they grew close and would often spend time together away from the pitch at Ronaldo Sr's seven-bedroom mansion. The Portugal and United icon took a shine to young Gabriel, giving him a signed shirt as a parting gift before he left Manchester for Saudi Arabia. Dan Ashworth, who was axed as sporting director by Sir Jim Ratcliffe last season, was an admirer of Gabriel while one team-mate in the Under 18s spoke of being 'blown away' by seeing the 14-year-old in their training sessions. Gabriel's career to date has been managed to the letter by his family with superstardom in mind. His dad, former Republic of Ireland international Joe O'Cearuill, changed the family's surname to Gabriel in a nod to their religious beliefs as well as making the United starlet more brandable. The decision was also taken to home-school Gabriel to maximise his prospects in football, while he follows a very strict diet to enhance performance. He is, to all intents and purposes, already operating as a top professional, and made his England Under 15 debut in February.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel reaches exciting milestone before potential debut
Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel travelled to the Emirates for the FA Cup Youth Cup quarter-finals. Gabriel, who was the nickname 'Kid Messi', travelled to London and took part in the warm-up. The promising youngster wasn't included in the squad, but he was given the opportunity to be around the Under-18s and is expected to make his debut for that age group before the end of the season. The 14-year-old being on the cusp of a debut for the U18s highlights just how highly regarded he is at United given it's unusual for a player of his age to be around that group. READ MORE: Man United U18s vs Arsenal FA Youth Cup highlights as Reds earn dramatic extra time victory READ MORE: Manchester United unearth rising academy star for Ruben Amorim during FA Youth Cup thriller Gabriel was given the nickname 'Kid Messi' after clips of him training and completing specialist skills went viral when he was younger. There is excitement building about his potential, but he is on the radar of top European clubs and there has been interest in luring him away from Manchester. The youngster thanked Marcus Rashford for taking penalties with him at Carrington before the forward joined Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season, and he received a 'get well soon video' from Andre Onana when he was recovering from a shoulder injury. Although academy followers are hopeful that Gabriel will reach the first-team at Old Trafford, his talent has not gone unnoticed elsewhere and he made a visit to watch Barcelona in August. Gabriel was pictured with one of his idols, Lamine Yamal, outside the Nou Camp and he has a European passport, which has caught the attention of big clubs on the continent The youngster also spent time with United's U18s when they played Manchester City in the Premier League Cup final last term and was involved in the warm-up at Leigh Sports Village. Gabriel's ball control is exceptional and he has starred for England's Under-15s this term.
