Manchester United boasts a distinguished legacy of nurturing some of the finest young talents in global football, and the club appears poised to unveil yet another promising superstar.
Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, commonly referred to as JJ Gabriel, stands out as an exceptional prospect within the United academy. Born in October 2010, the 14-year-old has impressed observers at Carrington with his performances at the Under 14 level, prompting a remarkable advancement to the Under 18s, skipping four age groups.
This season, he has netted 15 goals and provided six assists in just 13 matches against older opponents. Noted for his adaptability, Gabriel is proficient as both a striker and a winger, capable of fulfilling various roles along the front line.
His keen vision and passing skills allow him to thrive in more creative positions, while his agility, speed, and balance render him a formidable adversary when making runs behind the defense. Gabriel has consistently demonstrated his ability to compete at levels beyond his age.
At merely 13 years old, he was a regular contributor for the Under 16s and was honored with the Most Valuable Player award at a pre-season tournament in Hong Kong. During this event, he scored two goals and provided two assists, showcasing a maturity that belies his age.
Reports from Rising Stars indicate that Gabriel’s development has garnered attention not only from within the club but also on an international scale. His flair, technical skills, and dribbling prowess have led to comparisons with football icons such as Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr., while parallels have also been drawn to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ascent.
With Gabriel’s evident talent and potential for a successful career, Nike secured his endorsement last month, reportedly offering one of the most lucrative contracts ever extended to a player of his age, according to Mail Sport. Part of their strategy included branding him as ‘the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo’s throne.’
Nike is reportedly among a number of brands eager to collaborate with Gabriel, who has gained over 11,000 followers on Instagram in recent months. He initially signed with Nike during his Under 10s tenure and opted for their primary competitor, Adidas, over United’s kit supplier.
Nick Cox, the academy director at United, has received numerous commendations regarding Gabriel’s swift progress, leading to the belief that he could emerge as the club’s next star in the coming years.
While it may take a couple of years for this to materialize, Gabriel has the potential to save United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe a significant amount of money. Rather than investing over £50 million in new attacking players, United could consider promoting Gabriel to the first team, providing him with an opportunity to showcase his talents on a global platform.