Nestory Irankunda is firming for selection in Bayern Munich’s first team squad after another exciting cameo off the bench in the German giant’s final pre-season game.
The 18-year-old Socceroos star replaced England captain Harry Kane in the second half of Bayern’s 3-1 win over Austrian club WSG Tirol in Unterhaching on Wednesday (AEST).
Irankunda provided the assist for Gabriel Vidovic’s match clinching goal (watch the video above) – his fifth goal contribution in five appearances (two goals, three assists).
Watch Bayern Munich in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, streaming ad free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
Nestory Irankunda of Bayern Munich in action against WSG Tirol. Getty
“Oh, he’s amazing,” Stan Sport’s Craig Foster told Today on Thursday.
“Unquestionably one of the best talents we’ve had for a number of decades. This kid is extraordinary, he was brilliant for Adelaide United, an incredibly exciting player.
“He’s one of a few players, probably since Harry Kewell I’d imagine, who is capable of taking players on (at a world class level). He’s so exciting, every time he gets the ball he wants to go forward, he wants to make something happen.
READ MORE: ‘Please!’: 40-year feud erupts over NRL Hall of Fame induction
READ MORE: Gould grills bizarre Dragons move after $2.5m signing
READ MORE: Olympic sprinter caught up in China doping feud
“He can score, he can assist as he did in that game for Bayern Munich. So he’s been a huge hit since he went there.”
Irankunda will now hope he has done enough to convince Bayern manager Vincent Kompany to include him in his squad for the German Cup opener against SSV Ulm on Saturday (AEST).
Bayern is one of the biggest and most successful clubs in world football and won a remarkable 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles before being dethroned by Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Bayern has also won six Champions League titles, level with Liverpool and behind only Real Madrid (15) and AC Milan (seven).
“He’s played in the under-20s, he’s done well, he’s scored goals, he’s set up and now of course he’s got himself in the first team squad,” Foster said of Irankunda.
“He got the opportunity, he did well so we’re so excited. It looks as though he’s going to start the season in the first team squad. Let’s hope, if he starts well and continues in this vein, then we might even see him on Stan in the Champions League for Bayern Munich. Hugely exciting.”