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Young talent strikes an early note in South Africa
On June 13, I sat with my friend Johan Cruyff, surrounded by enthusiastic South African kids, as the Dutch football team donated an artificial field to the Hillbrow Court area of Johannesburg. Each player had donated part of his prize money to raise 100,000 euros to build the field. Ruud Gullit writes.
On June 13, I sat with my friend Johan Cruyff, surrounded by enthusiastic South African kids, as the Dutch football team donated an artificial field to the Hillbrow Court area of Johannesburg. Each player had donated part of his prize money to raise 100,000 euros to build the field.
The result was wonderful as the young boys raced around the field dribbling the older pros with an enthusiasm that I had experienced growing up in Amsterdam. The enthusiasm and energy of the youth in South Africa is contagious. We celebrated Youth Day here on Wednesday. On that day in June 16, 1976, high school students in Soweto protested for better education. Police responded with bullets and tear gas and hundreds were killed. Now high school students can do their best to study and play football.
Youth is also on stage here at this World Cup. Two of the youngest teams, Germany (before the match against Serbia on Friday) and Argentina have played the most spectacular football. Some of the other teams, France, Italy and Brazil have looked, well old. Germany have three young stars in Holger Badstuber, Mesut Ozil, a brilliant playmaker, and Thomas Muller, an attacking midfielder.
Argentina have Lionel Messi, only 23, three-goal scorer Higuain and striker Aguero. Mexico showed the dazzling talent of Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez and Giovanni dos Santos.
Other young talent who have impressed are Andre Ayew, left wing of Ghana and son of the great Abedi Pele. Japan's Honda's, 24, is playing very well and we are waiting to see Spain’s Pedro play like he does for Barcelona. Dutch left-winger, Eljero Elia energised my Orange team with a win.
