JJ Gabriel, a seemingly typical 14-year-old with a love for video games, is making waves in the football world as a rising star in Manchester United’s academy. Despite his young age, his extraordinary talent shines through when he steps onto the pitch, demonstrating skills that are far from ordinary. The teenager’s potential has created a huge buzz and some followers of the academy even suggest he could be the most talented player United have ever produced.
This is a bold claim considering the calibre of graduates who have preceded Gabriel, who already boasts over 200,000 followers on Instagram and a sponsorship deal with Nike. Coaches at the academy who have worked with him are astounded by his skillset and have found it challenging to identify any weaknesses, despite him playing years above his age group. Gabriel, who idolises Neymar, has scored goals that echo the Brazilian superstar at his best.
In a recent under-18 match, Gabriel showcased his skills by gliding into the penalty area, deceiving a Manchester City defender with a shimmy, and finding the corner of the net. The clip of this goal has garnered thousands of views on social media.
News of Gabriel’s talent has already spread globally, with Europe’s top clubs closely monitoring his development. The teenager was even close to leaving United last summer.
Advanced discussions were held with a top European club, and a last-minute meeting took place at Carrington in an effort to retain Gabriel. It’s understood that Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada were in attendance, indicating the high esteem in which Gabriel is held.
United emphasised that Gabriel could become the face of the club, and it was ultimately agreed that the young prodigy would stay in Manchester. The player’s final decision was crucial.
Gabriel has pledged his future to United for at least another two years, but interest from Europe’s elite clubs will only grow as he matures, particularly since he possesses a European passport through his parents.
United recognise they have a unique talent in Gabriel and recently introduced him to Ruben Amorim. During their conversation, Amorim discussed his philosophy and highlighted the importance of hard work, even sharing a story about Cristiano Ronaldo as an illustration.
Amorim, who played alongside Ronaldo for Portugal’s national team, shared tales of Ronaldo’s dedication – he was always the first to arrive for training and the last to leave.
Gabriel is not lacking in dedication. He already lives like a committed professional athlete, focusing on his diet and recovery sessions, and wakes up at 6am most days to make his dream come true.
This summer, he trained at a Nike camp in Marbella alongside Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and former Liverpool striker Danny Ings. Seasoned players are stunned when they discover his age.
United are keen to manage expectations to allow Gabriel to concentrate on football. Former academy director Nick Cox was questioned about Gabriel during an interview earlier this year and diplomatically redirected the discussion elsewhere.
Those familiar with Gabriel harbour no concerns about maintaining his humility. He enjoys robust family backing and a trusted circle of friends, with those nearest to him ensuring he remains level-headed.
His love for the game and his flair on the ball are evident in every match he plays. Darren Fletcher, who took over as under-18 manager this summer, has been praised for his management of Gabriel, encouraging him to be on the ball as much as possible.
His control of the ball is outstanding and his goal-scoring prowess is impressive for someone his age. He even earned the nickname ‘Kid Messi’ after videos of his training and skills went viral on social media when he was younger.
Speculation is already rife among fans about when Gabriel might make his senior debut. It seems increasingly likely that he will become United’s youngest-ever Premier League player.
He is a once-in-a-generation prospect – and the best is yet to come from the extraordinarily talented teenager.