Young men can quickly lose touch with reality when their talent leads them to big-money contracts in football. Changing your life completely, swapping books and school breaks with training with stars every day, as well as finding thousands of dollars in your bank account can be overwhelming. But it’s essential to keep a connection with your old life and childhood alive. Jamal Musiala is doing just that. He will give something back to a community football club where he played as a youngster.The 18-year-old promising midfielder is a Bayern’s hope. The boy who was born in Germany to a British-Nigerian father and a German mother moved to England when he was just seven years old. Back then, he didn’t speak a word of English, had no friends and had no idea what to do with his time in a rough neighbourhood of Southampton. He only knew how to play football – and it was enough.Jamal Musiala – The Next Messi pic.twitter.com/t9eqUOU0Y1— LeoulPrince👑 (@LeoulPrince7) August 5, 2021 City Central FC from a deprived part of the city offers kids a chance to escape the often harsh reality. In those streets, there are prostitutes, drug dealers and far too many desperate unemployed people. It’s far from an ideal surrounding for a child. But thanks to Rosh Bhatti and his brother Jazz, boys and girls from various backgrounds have a chance to play together and learn about fundamental values in life. The Bhatti brothers founded City Central FC in 2001 and built pitches and facilities for local youngsters to play and learn. The supremely talented Musiala never forgot those days.Although Jamal was quickly scouted and recruited into Chelsea’s youth academy, his bond with the Bhattis and friends from the south coast of England remained strong. Even now, when he is back in Germany with one of the biggest clubs in the world, Musiala took the time and found a way to help his boyhood club.Africa is the future of BayernHe and his family have organised a youth tournament called the Jamal Musiala City Central Cup, which will be held regularly at the club’s training ground.The aim is not so much to help the club in financially challenging times. The focus is on teaching values such as respect, empathy, gratitude, responsibility and self-care – the values that helped Musiala on his way to the professional ranks. Bhatti spoke to Goal about the impact Bayern’s starlet has had on the children in Southampton.”A couple of coaches have already told me that the kids don’t grab the ball right away in training and instead ask much more often how are the coaches feeling and is there anything they can help with. Jamal has a big impact on them. He’s a hero to them. Many elders from the community also still remember him and look up to him with hope. The positive thing about him is that he is an incredibly humble and polite guy who is not aloof despite his rapid development. That is one of the keys to his success. His family, especially his mother, gave him that.”This is how you do it! 👏🏻Jamal Musiala has organised a tournament at his childhood club in Southampton, City Central FC. The Bayern Munich youngster hopes to inspire the next generation of footballers.Humble as you like! 🙌🏻#saintsfc pic.twitter.com/EkmjqkxwzT— Southampton FC Updates (@TheSaintCentre) August 9, 2021 Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a visit to the ground has not yet been possible for Musiala. Still, the midfielder sent several video messages and signed jerseys to the children to support and inspire them.”At City Central FC, they let the kids dream, despite all the hardships some kids have to endure. It’s a great honour for me to be able to give something back now. It is so important to teach children values for life and that they dare to dream. I am pleased to be able to support the people at City Central who are doing a great job for the community in Southampton.”Friday, 21.30: (5.70) Monchengladbach (4.30) Bayern (1.55)Ahead of the second season with the first team at Bayern Munich, Musiala revealed his targets during an interview with SportBild.”I want to be an important part of the team under new coach Julian Nagelsmann. The coach sent me a very nice and motivating text after the defeat against England. It made me very happy. The most important thing for me is to get match practice, many minutes on the pitch if possible, to continue developing. This season, I want to score goals again, give more assists and improve my headers.”Musiala ended the debut season with seven goals and one assist across all competitions and will be looking to build on that. One thing is for sure – he’ll remain a hero to football-mad kids back in Southampton.
