Rapid against Salzburg also means: talent against even greater talent. Is Yusuf Demir in the wrong squad at the Schlager in Hütteldorf (8.30pm)? The fact that the playmaker made his debut in Rapid Dress against Hartberg (0: 1) is not a matter of course. “The greatest talent in Europe in his age group,” said sports director Fredy Bickel when he left a year ago. The list of candidates for signature under the first professional contract was accordingly prominent: Barcelona, Bavaria, Manchester City, …
The commitment to Rapid 13 months until (maximum) summer 2022 was – as everyone who is directly involved confirm – largely due to Steffen Hofmann. In many conversations with the Viennese and his parents from Turkey, the talent manager had recorded a cautious career path, including graduation from school. Hofmann’s relationship with the 17-year-old who has been 17 for three weeks is close and particularly trusting.
U-17 team manager Martin Scherb, who made Demir the captain of his ÖFB team, says: “Yusuf even speaks like Steffen. Calm, careful, focused.”
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