For starters, he’s 15. Fifteen. Most of us were still trying to figure out algebra at that age. JJ was busy doing step-overs and slotting balls past goalkeepers. It’s almost unfair. But it’s hilarious in the best way.
How JJ Gabriel fared on Man Utd U18 debut, 14-year-old 'mini-Messi
Second, his name is literally “JJ.” It sounds like a superhero alias. Or a DJ. “JJ Gabriel—taking beats and defenders.” I bet his teammates call him “Double J.” Or maybe “The J-Bomb.”
The quirky details
Here’s a funny fact: JJ scored his hat-trick against FC Basel’s U19s. Basel aren’t exactly pushovers. But JJ treated them like training cones. One goal was a cool finish. Another was a tap-in. The third? A world-class strike from outside the box. The kid has range.
And get this—he almost didn’t play. The manager gave him a start, probably thinking, “Let’s see what this young lad can do.” 26 minutes later, the manager was probably trying to sign him to a 20-year contract. Smart move.
