Meet The Next Superstar in the Making: Paris Brunner
If you don't know Paris Brunner yet, get to know
There's something special when a youth football tournament rolls around. Even more special is when a player emerges from said tournament as the next one, whether neutral or partisan—the U17 and U20 World Cup—to feast on the talents of tomorrow—today.
Specifically, the U17 tournaments. Being the infant of the two means we were very much watching players *in my best Micah Richards impression* burst onto the scene, internationally, before they do at club level.
The likes of Phil Foden, Toni Kroos, and Cesc Fàbregas have been recipients of the U-17 World Cup Golden Ball before crafting world-class careers beyond.
It's an award that carries a serious amount of prestige: the best in your class.
And the class of ‘23 is stacked—headlined by one.
Paris Brunner, a 17-year-old wide forward who is yet to make a competitive senior appearance but has all the panache and skillset to be in conversations with the very best in years to come.
Predicting the next big thing is a dangerous game. Talent becomes brittle quickly, and out-of-hand factors can take their toll. Brunner still has a lot to learn and work on; he has a known ego, which has been noted off the pitch but, on it, plays to his advantage.
Spotted in Rot-Weiss Essen, developed at Bochum and bought to Dotrumend as a kid. Even at 14, Brunner stood out from the rest. Born into a traditional German middle-class family, he didn't go through the stereotypical adversity that shaped the player he is becoming. However, as German football journalist, Manuel Veth points out, “street football” did.
Its impact is evident. He has a natural gift to weave and ride challenges from on-rushing defenders and size up his opponent. Capable of the audacious finish via technique and flash earned from his play on the concrete ground.
Brunner had shown glimpses of his potential when playing for Dortmund's youth sides. His obscene numbers saw him quickly ascend and inevitably earn comparisons to Youssoufa Moukoko’s trajectory. However, weighing both against each other seems unjust concerning the difference in style.
His goal against Manchester City in the UEFA Youth League showed the broad range of his toolbox of finishes.
But it was the World Cup where his flame shone brightest.
Speaking in a presser, U17s head coach, Christian Wück described him as having “natural confidence.”
Going into the World Cup, despite winning the European Under-17 Championship six months prior, expectations were tempered.
Argentina and Brazil boasted mouth-watering squads of their own, Mali was touted for a promising tournament, and of course, France, who were a couple of penalties away from winning said European Championship, were always going to be in and around the conversation.
As for Brunner, he came into the tournament with controversy around his name. A month before the Finals, he was suspended by Dortmund over disciplinary issues, still unknown to this day.
It's the type of stuff that makes or breaks players early on—it gave him the fire.
Toned-down expectations or not, winning at all levels has always been a priority in all age groups for Die Mannschaft.
And repeating international glory in the space of six months, Brunner and his highly-rated captain, Noah Darvich, would play a leading role.
“They (Brunner and Darvich) have been and are going to be the clear superstars of his generation coming,” said German football expert and video analyst Adam Khan.
Brunner pipped Darvich for gold, as both finished on the podium for the Fritz Walter Medal in August, an award given to outstanding seasonal German talents.
Brunner’s tournament took some time to heat up, in comparison to Darvich, who was at the heart of Germany’s three opening wins.
Nonetheless, as the stakes started to get higher, so did Brunner’s performances.
He played the decisive assist in the last-16 win against the USA. In a tight affair against the Spaniards, his tricky feet engaged a dangling Spanish leg for a penalty. Brunner, the designated taker, dispatches like one who relishes the responsibility.
In the semi-finals vs. Argentina, many’s favourite as the tournament progressed; it was very much Brunner’s starring game.
In the early knockings, Darvich slips him in, 1v1 against his defender, and bundles a finish to open the scoring with the aid of suspect goalkeeping.
His second was the pick of the pair.
Intercepting a lacklustre ball from Argentina's goalkeeper...
Driving with intent and purpose, off the evidently more comfortable left-hand side…
Before releasing a gorgeous, controlled finish into the bottom far corner. Ball-striking akin to Leroy Sané, a player and rival he publicly admires.
His nor Germany’s game was finished there—a goal for either side resulted in penalties. Germany scored their first two, and Argentina didn't. The South Americans responded with two and a save. The deciding spot kicks at Brunner's feet and slots its way with full composure from run-up to kick.
As for the final, it was a repeat of the Euros—a meeting with France. Once again, another penalty, same result.
Nonetheless, just like in June, a set of penalties was needed to separate the sides.
And just like Germany did in Hungary, they repeated in Indonesia—champions. And Brunner was at the centre of it again.
As for what the future holds,
Contract talks will surely be accelerated with Dortmund considering his free to leave in 2025. He will have to bide his time before he can fully make his impact known at the club level, but that chance will come—being named on the bench against Leipzig last weekend is the first of many steps.
His name will certainly reside among the senior chiefs in the national set-up. A surprising call-up for Euro 2024 is probably unlikely, but he certainly has put Nagelssman and co. on alert.
He came into the spotlight as an erratic prospect and has prematurely arrived as a burgeoning superstar in the making, even if mental guidance is still needed from time to time.
As Adam expressed, “Five years down the line, one wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up leading the line for Arsenal or floundering his career away in the German regional leagues. He has a clear ego on the pitch that can provoke brilliant ingenuity and unproductive selfishness in equal measure. It depends on his mental development which power will ultimately win out.”