Why Germany is the perfect finishing school for Australian teen soccer sensation

Next July, one of Australia’s brightest football talents, Nestory Irankunda, will arrive at German giants Bayern Munich for his first day of work armed with a boot bag and a weight of expectation.

Until that day, Irankunda will continue to play at Adelaide United, allowing him time to plan a journey not only geographically, but in football terms.

Months after he has turned 18, he will join one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Given the young winger’s growing reputation, he had a host of potential suitors across global football, including clubs from the Premier League.

So why did he decide to go to Germany?

In Germany, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough

Former Socceroo Mark Bosnich arrived at Manchester United as a 16-year-old from Sydney and understands the pressure of joining one of the world’s biggest clubs from Australia.

Although he enjoyed his own experience of youth football in England, he understands why Irankunda has chosen Germany.

“Even though Germany is one of the big four leagues in the world, they are still a prodigious developer of players and they do give young players an opportunity,” Bosnich said.

“In terms of the Premier League right now, results are everything, pretty much.

“If you’re at a massive club in the UK, it’s very difficult to get that opportunity [to play] unless there’s a whole swathe of injuries.”

Gun youngster Nestory Irankunda.Credit: Roy VanDerVegt

A long list of youth graduates

Germany’s Bundesliga has a long honour roll of young players who have used the league as a springboard to superstardom.

Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham decided to leave his hometown club Birmingham City at 17 for Borussia Dortmund, rather than signing for Manchester United. His reason? The ability to play first-team football.

Bellingham’s decision was vindicated, making 92 appearances in Germany in three seasons, before earning his dream move to Real Madrid. He’s now viewed as one of the premier midfielders in the world.

At Bayern Munich, Irankunda can look at the example of German international Jamal Musiala who, at 20, has become one of Europe’s finest talents.

Irankunda taking selfies with Adelaide fans.Credit: Getty

Investment in youth football

After the German national team’s disastrous performance at the 2000 European Championships, when they finished bottom of their group, an overhaul of the country’s youth football strategy was mandated.

Professional clubs in Germany now must run efficient and effective youth academies, which must meet set criteria for the club to compete each year.

Bayern Munich have a state-of-the-art youth facility that houses a 2500-seat stadium and eight football pitches spread over 30 hectares.

The club invests millions of dollars in their youth facilities every year and Irankunda will benefit from world-class coaching and talented teammates who will help drive his game.

The ability to grow on and off the field

Irankunda’s decision to move to a non-speaking English country is a brave one, but ultimately it will help his growth as a footballer.

The winger will arrive in Munich and see a city that moves to the rhythms of its primary football club, where the expectation is not only they win the league, but win it in style.

He will be in a largely alien environment far from family and friends in Adelaide. The culture he is used to on and off the field will be different, and he will be under pressure to adapt.

Bosnich believes that Irankunda’s decision to throw himself into a new culture can only help him develop as a footballer.

“Germany is a wonderful, wonderful country,” Bosnich said.

“They’ve got their own culture, and it will be incumbent upon him to learn their language because you’re going into somebody else’s house, so to speak.

“I know it’s more difficult, but I actually think that’s a good thing too [for him as a player].”

Bayern Munich fans at their home stadium, Allianz Arena.Credit: Getty

An elite stage to showcase his talent

Bayern Munich have won the last 11 Bundesliga titles and last won Europe’s Champions League in 2020.

The pressure to perform at the club is exacting and relentless, but if Irankunda can fight his way into first-team contention and perform, there are no limits to where his talent can take him.

The explosive winger has rightfully gained plaudits in Australia for his performances, but in Munich, he will again have everything to prove.

Speaking Channel 10’s The Project, Irankunda was asked had his transfer sunk in yet.

“Yeah, not really actually,” Irankunda said.

“Obviously, it’s going be great, I’ve got time [before leaving] so I hopefully I can make the best out of it.”

If Irankunda can survive and ultimately thrive at Bayern Munich, there is no limit to where his talent can take him.

Watch every match of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League on Stan Sport. All the action streaming ad-free, live and on demand, with select matches in 4K UHD.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.