2023-12-14 11:21:43
Trained in the Paris region, launched into the pros at 16 in Amiens, George Ilenikhena (17) offered Antwerp a prestigious victory once morest Barcelona (3-2) on Wednesday in the Champions League.
Unknown to the French public, less so to trainers, George Ilenikhena (17) made an impression on Wednesday by offering a prestigious victory to the Belgian club Antwerp once morest FC Barcelona (3-2). The story of the Nigerian striker, born in Lagos, is closely linked to France, which he joined at a very young age with his parents. He took his first steps as a footballer there until his transfer to Belgium last summer for 6.5 million euros from Amiens.
>> Subscribe to RMC Sport offers to watch the Champions League
Trained in the Paris region, launched in Amiens
George Ilenikhena was born in Lagos (Nigeria) on August 16, 2006 before moving to France with his parents at the age of 3. He started playing football at the age of 10 by taking a license at the Antony club (Hauts-de-Seine) where the managers did not necessarily predict a professional career for him. He finally amazed everyone with his work and efficiency in front of goal to the point of catching the eye of Amiens who recruited him in 2021. In Picardy, the young striker also put everyone in the spotlight. agreement by stacking goals with the U17s and U19s before joining the pros at just 16 years old.
Ligue 2, Belgian championship… already several early records
In Amiens, George Ilenikhena wrote his name in history by becoming the youngest player in Ligue 2 at 16 years and 147 days, on January 10, 2023 once morest Guingamp. He became the youngest scorer in the championship three days later once morest Bordeaux (January 13). He had even made his professional debut a few months earlier in the Coupe de France (November 19, 2022). Last season, Ilenikhena scored two goals in 16 games in all competitions before signing for RC Antwerp for €6.5 million.
Regularly used in the team rotation by Mark van Bommel (8 goals in 24 games this season), Ilenikhena became, at 17 years and 74 days old, the first player to score in two consecutive matches in the Belgian championship since Romelu Lukaku in 2010 (at 16 years and 312 days).
The youngest French scorer in the Champions League?
According to Opta, George Ilenikhena made history on Wednesday by becoming the youngest French goalscorer in the Champions League at just 17 years and 119 days old. But there is doubt regarding his French nationality. According to The Parisian, his naturalization has not yet been confirmed. The steps were already underway last summer but have therefore not yet been completed. The record would therefore still belong to Parisian Warren Zaire-Emery, also scorer Wednesday evening once morest Dortmund (1-1) at 17 years and 280 days. Through several messages shared on her Instagram stories, Ilenikhena claims and appropriates this record.
Offered to PSG and close… to OM
George Ilenikhena is not unknown to French trainers. According to The Parisian, he almost signed with OM in 2022. He would have passed his medical examination in the club’s facilities and even met Jorge Sampaoli, then coach of the first team, before the transfer collapsed. Before Marseille, his profile was proposed to PSG by his coach at Antony, Tom Bouvil. “I called PSG, which I am close to, so that they might come and watch it,” the latter testified in Le Parisien. “I was told: ‘Okay, we’ll see…’”. He finally joined Amiens some time later before Belgium last summer.
Top Articles
1702556232
#Antony #hero #Barça #Champions #League #incredible #trajectory #George #Ilenikhena
