Jamal Musiala's brilliant displays for Germany in Euro 2024 are causing a bittersweet sensation for England fans.
Social media buzzes with images of Musiala in an England jersey alongside Jude Bellingham, celebrating during their youth careers.
The 21-year-old has been exceptional, scoring twice in his first three matches and earning Player of the Match in Germany’s 5-1 win over Scotland.
England may feel the "fear of missing out" as they watch his success.
Germany's manager, Julian Nagelsmann, praised Musiala, urging him to keep playing as if he's on a small pitch with friends, whether in Germany or England.
Interestingly, Musiala was once unknown to the German Football Association.
Cambridge United assistant manager Kevin Betsy, who coached Musiala in various England youth teams, reflects on the midfielder's unique blend of English and German football upbringing.
Betsy said: "I scouted Jamal at an Under-12s tournament in Brighton, and he was up front for Chelsea.
"He was tiny, one of the smallest players on the pitch, but he had amazing intelligence, game understanding, quickness over the first five metres, and dribbling ability.
"I realised I saw something special when driving home. We weren't selecting any underage players for England's first Under-15s age group, but with him and Jude, we put forward our case to make an exception.
"I don't think Germany knew much about him or his level until he faced them and was exceptional in the match."
Betsy says Musiala went away with Germany at Under-16 level but did not enjoy his first camp there and returned to England for Under-17s football.
"Again, he faced Germany as England's captain and was exceptional against them," he added.
"After the game, their youth coach said, 'I didn't realise he was that good'. That game, and Jamal joining Bayern, probably gave Germany the upper hand."
Born in Stuttgart, one of Euro 2024's host cities, Jamal Musiala was eligible to play for Nigeria through his father, Daniel Richard.
His mother, Carolin, moved the family to England for an Erasmus course in Southampton.
Soon after arriving, Musiala joined City Central FC in Southampton. His first coach, Rosh Bhatti, predicted on Facebook in January 2011 that Musiala, just seven at the time, had the talent to become a professional footballer.
Southampton sought to sign him but lost out in a three-way competition with Arsenal and Chelsea, as his mother secured a job in Surrey near Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.
Musiala attended Corpus Christi School in New Malden, where PE teacher Tony Mesourouni guided his development. Mesourouni noted, “He didn’t speak fluent English when he arrived, but sport helped him settle. He showed great resilience and always worked hard.”
“He was part of the chess club, did martial arts and learned to read and write English to the point where he could write a wonderful poem about his life in football just before leaving.
"I still tell the kids today about Jamal’s story; he put 110% into everything, I get goosebumps seeing where he is now.”
The poem titled ‘Moment’ reads: "I am sitting in the car. I'm looking out of the window. Outside it's cold - it's wintertime. But I'm sweating. I'm nervous. I don't know what will happen. Suddenly the car stops. I close my eyes. I take a deep breath. I'm not nervous anymore. I'm happy. I know what I've to do. My dad opens the door and says 'Good luck for your first trial for one of the best Premier League clubs!' I'm playing like never before."
Through his school football, he first met Gareth Southgate, who was then head of elite development at the FA.
Mesourouni added: “We won Premier League tournaments at the Emirates, Anfield and Wembley - where Jamal represented Fulham, Brentford and AFC Wimbledon.
“Gareth probably wouldn’t remember that first meeting with Jamal but delivered a training session before our final and told me our number eight Jamal is a ‘very good player’.
"We then had a tour of Wembley - Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick was being explained to the kids - and Jamal said he wanted to replicate it - he went on to score four and we won the final.”
Gareth Southgate first encountered Jamal Musiala when he joined England’s setup at age 13, as his football career at Chelsea became more serious. In 2014, Musiala also enrolled at Whitgift School in Croydon, known for its strong sports program.
Andrew Martin, the director of football, recalled, “We first saw Jamal in a Year Six cup semi-final against us. We lost 9-4, and he scored four goals.”
“He was quiet, unassuming and polite but had sheer belief in himself on the pitch - it’s probably the biggest confidence I’ve seen in a boy. He was an out-and-out number nine for us and hat-tricks were commonplace.
“But there was a game that stuck out to me, where he was getting kicked by a much bigger team in Peterborough - he came to me at half-time upset, and I said ‘just stick at it and the chances will come'. The second half came, and he scored two goals.”
Jamal Musiala departed school with an impressive record of 122 goals over three years, featuring in four national finals and securing three victories.
However, multiple factors began steering him away from Chelsea and ultimately England.
Six months earlier, Bayern Munich had targeted winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who shared an agency with Musiala.
During negotiations, Bayern also expressed interest in Musiala, then 16, available for a £170,000 compensation fee.
Chelsea lost the battle to secure him on professional terms before his 17th birthday.
Musiala saw Bayern as offering a clearer path forward and made his first-team debut within a year, becoming the club's youngest-ever player.
Encouragement from his Bayern teammates and the influence of then-manager Joachim Low, a World Cup winner in 2014, were pivotal in his decision.
While it may be disappointing for England, there is no bitterness; they take pride in being part of Musiala’s remarkable journey.
“Gareth had a really strong relationship with Jamal from a young age, but there was never any pressure,” former England youth coach Betsy added.
“These families trust you with their child, there is a duty of care. It’s just love, appreciation, and making the best of your time with them.”
amal Musiala, whose first language has always been German, found less travel and stiffer competition upon choosing Die Mannschaft in 2021.
According to those close to him, he embraced his German identity, and now, as he shines in a home tournament, it seems this was always meant to be his path.