Yunus Musah

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Yunus Musah
Yunus Musah CC video screenshot.png
Musah with Valencia in 2020
Personal information
Full name Yunus Dimoara Musah[1]
Date of birth (2002-11-29) November 29, 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth New York City, New York, United States
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Valencia
Number 4
Youth career
Giorgione
2012–2019 Arsenal
2019 Valencia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Valencia B 17 (1)
2020– Valencia 70 (2)
National team‡
2016–2017 England U15 7 (0)
2017–2018 England U16 8 (0)
2018–2019 England U17 9 (2)
2019 England U18 8 (2)
2020– United States 19 (0)
Honours
Representing  United States
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Nations League
Winner 2021
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 22, 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of June 14, 2022

Yunus Dimoara Musah (born November 29, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Valencia and the United States national team.

Born in the United States to Ghanaian parents, he grew up mostly in Italy and England. He was a youth international for England before committing to the United States in 2021.

Club career

Early career

Musah was born in New York City while his Ghanaian mother was on vacation in the United States.[3] His father is also Ghanaian.[4] He moved to Italy after his birth, living in Castelfranco Veneto and later starting his career at Giorgione Calcio 2000.[5][6] In 2012, at age nine, he moved to London and joined Arsenal's Academy.[7][4]

Valencia

In the summer of 2019, Musah joined Valencia, at the age of 16,[8] and was assigned to the reserves in Segunda División B.[9][10] He made his debut with the B-team at the age of 16 on September 15, 2019, starting in a 0–0 home draw against CF La Nucía.[11] He scored his first senior goal on March 1, 2020, netting his team's only goal in a 2–1 loss at Gimnàstic de Tarragona.[12]

After the arrival of new manager Javi Gracia in Valencia's first team, Musah spent the 2020 pre-season with the main squad.[13] At age 17 years and eight months, he made his first team—and La Liga—debut on September 13 of that year, starting in a 4–2 home win against Levante UD.[14] In doing so, he became the first Englishman and American to debut for the club.[15]

On November 1, 2020, aged 17 years and 338 days, Musah scored a goal in a 2–2 draw against Getafe CF, becoming the youngest non-Spanish player to score for Valencia, breaking the previous record held by Lee Kang-in, aged 18 years and 219 days.[16] The following month, he extended his contract with Valencia until 2026.[17] On December 16, in the first round of the Copa del Rey, he came on with four minutes remaining away to Tercera División club Terrassa FC and scored an equalizing goal as his team won 4–2 after extra time.[18]

In the 2021–22 Copa del Rey, Musah scored in wins at CD Utrillas and CD Arenteiro in the early rounds.[19][20] In the final on April 23, he replaced Dimitri Foulquier after 100 minutes of a 1–1 draw against Real Betis and was the only player to miss in the penalty shootout.[21]

International career

As a youth, Musah was eligible to play for the United States, Ghana, Italy, and England.[22][23] He made his international debut with England's under-15s in 2016 and subsequently represented England up to the under-18 level. He was also called up to the under-19 squad in October 2020.[24] A Musah penalty earned England's under-18s a draw against Brazil's under-17s on September 8, 2019,[25] and he went on to score a crucial goal against Austria's under-18s on October 16, 2019, with England winning 3–2.[26] In total, Musah played more than 30 times for England at youth level.[27]

On November 2, 2020, Musah accepted a call-up to the United States senior squad to play in friendlies against Wales and Panama later that month.[28] He was part of a largely Europe-based squad which included 10 first-time selections and had an average age of 22.[29] Musah had been contacted by the United States Soccer Federation through Nico Estévez, a United States assistant manager who had connections with Valencia CF having previously managed their youth and reserve teams for eight years.[30] Musah made his senior international debut on November 11, starting in a 0–0 draw against Wales at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.[31] He then started the following 6–2 win over Panama on November 16.[32]

Despite Musah having played for the United States at senior level, England senior manager Gareth Southgate revealed that he would attempt to persuade Musah to commit to continue playing for England in the long term, stating: "We're monitoring him. He's been with us in the last couple of months and we'd very much like his future to be with us."[4] England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd also stated: "I am hopeful we will see him in the U21s at some point. I don’t know [if he has made his decision]. I hope he hasn’t because I think if he came here and saw what we are all about that he would really enjoy it."[33] Meanwhile, United States management continued to connect with Musah after the November USMNT camp, with assistant manager Nico Estévez in day-to-day contact and also manager Gregg Berhalter holding conversations with Musah and his family.[34]

In the early months of 2021, Musah was reportedly undecided on the question of which nation to represent permanently.[4][23] On March 15, 2021, however, he officially committed to represent the United States internationally.[35]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played October 22, 2022[36]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Valencia B 2019–20 Segunda División B 17 1 — — — 17 1
Valencia 2020–21 La Liga 32 1 3 1 — — 35 2
2021–22 La Liga 29 1 7 2 — — 36 3
2022–23 La Liga 9 0 0 0 — 0 0 9 0
Total 70 2 10 3 — 0 0 80 5
Career total 87 3 10 3 0 0 0 0 97 6

International

As of match played June 14, 2022[37]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2020 2 0
2021 9 0
2022 8 0
Total 19 0

Honors

United States

References

  1. ^ "Acta del Partido celebrado el 12 de septiembre de 2021, en Pamplona" [Minutes of the Match held on 12 September 2021, in Pamplona] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "Yunus Musah | USMNT | U.S. Soccer Official Site". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  3. ^ Straus, Brian. "USMNT Makes Its Case to Another Rising Star With Options". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "The 'adaptability and hunger' driving Yunus Musah's journey to stardom with USMNT and Valencia". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  5. ^ "Yunus, una Bella Favola che diviene Realtà: Dal Giorgione al Valencia, passando per Arsenal e Nazionale inglese!" [Yunus, a beautiful tale that becomes reality: from Giorgione to Valencia, passing through Arsenal and the English national team!] (in Italian). Stori di Eccellenza. August 24, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  6. ^ "Player Analysis: Yunus Musah". Breaking The Lines. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  7. ^ "El talento inglés que se enamoró del fútbol del sur" [The English talent who fell in love for the southern football] (in Spanish). Las Provincias. August 31, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  8. ^ "Musah the blueprint for Valencia's future" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "El Valencia CF Mestalla ficha a dos talentos internacionales" [Valencia CF Mestalla sign two international talents] (in Spanish). Golsmedia. August 9, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  10. ^ "Valencia sign Ghanaian teenager Yunus Musah from Arsenal". Ghana Web. September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  11. ^ "Al Mestalla se le escapa el triunfo con uno más (0–0)" [Mestalla let the win slip away with one more man (0–0)] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. September 14, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  12. ^ "Derrota amarga del Valencia CF Mestalla en casa del Nàstic de Tarragona" [Bittersweet defeat of Valencia CF Mestalla at the home of Nàstic de Tarragona] (in Spanish). Golsmedia. March 1, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  13. ^ "Yunus Musah enamora al valencianismo y a Europa" [Yunus Musah charms the valencianismo and Europe] (in Spanish). Golsmedia. August 23, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  14. ^ "El Valencia supera el pánico" [Valencia overcome the panic] (in Spanish). Marca. September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  15. ^ "Yunus Musah, la última perla de la cantera che" [Yunus Musah, the last pearl of the che youth setup] (in Spanish). Diario AS. September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  16. ^ "Musah, gol y récord" [Musah, goal and record]. Super Deporte (in Spanish). November 1, 2020.
  17. ^ "U.S.-Eligible Yunus Musah Signs Valencia Extension Through 2026". si.com. December 4, 2020.
  18. ^ "Yunus Musah pokes home late equalizer as Valencia survive Terrassa scare in Copa del Rey". Ghana Soccer Net. December 16, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  19. ^ Creditor, Avi (December 2, 2021). "USMNT's Yunus Musah Has Goal, Assist in Valencia's Copa Del Rey Win". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "Valencia's Musah scores 2nd goal of season, in Copa del Rey". Associated Press. December 16, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "Real Betis 1–1 Valencia". BBC Sport. April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  22. ^ Cannon, George (November 2, 2020). "Yunus Musah: Things to Know About the Midfielder". 90min. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  23. ^ a b Feehely, Alan (December 1, 2020). "Kieran Trippier advises Yunus Musah on England future". Football Espana. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  24. ^ The Football Association (October 2, 2020). "YOUNG LIONS SQUAD NAMED FOR DOUBLE-HEADER WITH SCOTLAND AT ST. GEORGE'S PARK". The FA.
  25. ^ Association, The Football. "England MU18s 1-1 Brazil". www.thefa.com. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  26. ^ Association, The Football. "Young Lions end Euro trip with three wins from three after victory in Austria". www.thefa.com. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  27. ^ Sousa, Justin (November 9, 2020). "Yunus Musah: Journey to the USMNT". Scouted Football. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  28. ^ Tenorio, Paul. "Valencia's Yunus Musah to get USMNT call-up in roster for friendly vs. Wales". The Athletic. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  29. ^ "England Under-18 Star Yunus Musah Called Up to USA Squad". 90min.com. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  30. ^ Straus, Brian. "USMNT Makes Its Case to Another Rising Teen Star With Options". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  31. ^ "England and the United States fighting to secure Yunus Musah's services". Marca. November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  32. ^ "Goal-Scoring Outbursts Fuel Young USMNT Past Panama 6–2 in Austria". ussoccer.com. November 16, 2020.
  33. ^ "'I hope Musah hasn't chosen the USMNT' - Boothroyd admits England still hope to win race for Valencia wonderkid | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  34. ^ "GFIVE THINGS TO KNOW: USMNT MIDFIELDER YUNUS MUSAH". ussoccer.com. March 15, 2021.
  35. ^ "Yunus Musah commits to U.S. Men's National Team". US Soccer. March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  36. ^ Yunus Musah at Soccerway
  37. ^ Yunus Musah at National-Football-Teams.com

External links

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