9 year-old Mayoman set for Real Madrid

Vurnon San Benito · 13-04-2012 4:08pm #1

Seen it in the paper today - pretty remarkable achievement has to be said.

Ballyhaunis Native Joins Real Madrid
Grandson of Michael Finn, Devlis, John Finn has been asked to join Real Madrid Youth Academy. He recently had trials and was successful. We would like to congratulate him and wish him all the best for the future.

I'm sure we'll hear more about him in the future, great to hear though. He must be something special!

Redzer7 · 13-04-2012 4:12pm

Gonna need a lot of sun block.

doncarlos · 13-04-2012 4:12pm

Doocey wrote: »

Seen it in the paper today - pretty remarkable achievement has to be said.

I'm sure we'll hear more about him in the future, great to hear though. He must be something special!

I think it's pretty disgusting to be honest.

Fizman · 13-04-2012 4:16pm

I've heard of peaking too soon, but Jaysus!

GavRedKing · 13-04-2012 4:19pm

Well done, but the way clubs like Real can hoover up talent from across the world he will need a lot of talent and luck to make it Real Madrid.

eagle eye · 13-04-2012 4:19pm

doncarlos wrote: »

I think it's pretty disgusting to be honest.

We really don't know whether its a good thing or not tbf. If his parents are unemployed and they are moving out there and getting jobs then its probably a great thing for the kid and his family.

doncarlos · 13-04-2012 4:26pm

eagle eye wrote: »

We really don't know whether its a good thing or not tbf. If his parents are unemployed and they are moving out there and getting jobs then its probably a great thing for the kid and his family.

Yes but if they're uprooting one of the parents to live over there like what has happened in the UK only to be discarded if he doesn't develop at the same level as his teammates this is a different matter. I hate to see things like this. Forget about losing talented players to foreign leagues this exploitation that would not be allowed in any other industry.

CongoPowers · 13-04-2012 4:28pm

Future star at Getafe!

Dub XV · 13-04-2012 4:29pm

If Real believe he is a future star they will move the family over and find them employment. The young lad is then a commodity.

MagicMarker · 13-04-2012 4:30pm

OMG I'm so happy, thank you for sharing this joyous news.

kitakyushu · 13-04-2012 4:34pm

Doocey wrote: »

9 year-old Mayoman

It's just a pity they didn't sign him when he was a five year old teenager.

LuckyLloyd · 13-04-2012 4:36pm

The overwhelming liklehood is that he will never be offered a professional contract. I only hope his family remain grounded and aware of the expected outcome.

eagle eye · 13-04-2012 4:38pm

kitakyushu wrote: »

It's just a pity they didn't sign him when he was a five year old teenager.

How did you manage to quote me with that comment

kitakyushu · 13-04-2012 4:40pm

eagle eye wrote: »

How did you manage to quote me with that comment

No idea. I'll change it now before the lawyers are called.

Eathrin · 13-04-2012 4:43pm

No need to be pessimistic lads, just wish him all the best and trust he and his family will make the right decisions. Nobody's forcing anybody to do anything.

stovelid · 13-04-2012 4:43pm

The scattergun approach used to be confined to England. Hoover up thousands of kids nearly all who will not even get a chance to impress and end up back here, disillusioned with the game. Even worse now is they are taking children rather than teenagers.

Can't blame the parents for saying no but It's a pity kids cannot develop a little longer in their home leagues.

CSF · 13-04-2012 4:44pm

This is wrong.

kincsem · 13-04-2012 4:47pm

Child labour.

Rekop dog · 13-04-2012 5:01pm

Can't see too much wrong with it tbh. Probably the best country in the world currently for a kid to go to maximize their footballing talent giving how much emphasis they put on the technical side of the game from a young age.

I know if I had the choice of growing up in the west or Madrid which one I'd choose.

Vurnon San Benito · 13-04-2012 5:03pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

The overwhelming liklehood is that he will never be offered a professional contract. I only hope his family remain grounded and aware of the expected outcome.

Correct - however there is quite a strong possibility he will make it at a professional level in some league.

Mars Bar · 13-04-2012 5:04pm

I'm sure this decision for his family wasn't taken lightly.

This child will learn a new culture, new language and meet loads of different people.
So long as he is still being schooled adequately over there then I really see no problem.

If the kid is a genuine talent which appears to be the case, then he'll get far better coaching over there than here or in England.

stovelid · 13-04-2012 5:07pm

People seem to approach this as if the kid is nailed on to make it and will flower there in the environment.

The overwhelming majority will just come back as a failure and burned out at a young age and drop out of competitive football completely despite a few being good enough to make even a modest living in the game.

The recent profile of the league here has seen a fair few players get a second chance at the top level of the game despite being adjudged to have not been good enough first time around.

Football should be about players and their own league not a factory for producing players for top clubs.

Rekop dog · 13-04-2012 5:13pm

stovelid wrote: »

People seem to approach this as if the kid is nailed on to make it and will flower there in the environment.

The overwhelming majority will just come back as a failure and burned out at a young age and drop out of competitive football completely despite a few being good enough to make even a modest living in the game.

The recent profile of the league here has seen a fair few players get a second chance at the top level of the game despite being adjudged to have not been good enough first time around.

Football should be about players and their own league not a factory for producing players for top clubs.

Nobody is saying he's nailed on to make it at all, but the likelihood of progression is certainly higher than most would have giving the world class training he'll receive from a young age.

SantryRed · 13-04-2012 5:14pm

Doocey wrote: »

Correct - however there is quite a strong possibility he will make it at a professional level in some league.

What? :pac:

There is no way a string possibility if he's let go at 14 or something. So many things can happen from 9 to even 15. It's retarded that they can sign a 9 year old from Ireland. Nuts!

CSF · 13-04-2012 5:17pm

stovelid wrote: »

People seem to approach this as if the kid is nailed on to make it and will flower there in the environment.

The overwhelming majority will just come back as a failure and burned out at a young age and drop out of competitive football completely despite a few being good enough to make even a modest living in the game.

The recent profile of the league here has seen a fair few players get a second chance at the top level of the game despite being adjudged to have not been good enough first time around.

Football should be about players and their own league not a factory for producing players for top clubs.

This is one of those things that you really don't fully understand until you see it first hand.

All people see is the youths who do blossom and make it, or at worst end up playing in the lower leagues. Those who don't make it simply fall off the footballing radar.

The visible will always outweigh the invisible in human perceptions so its natural that people don't see the flipside.

CSF · 13-04-2012 5:22pm

Rekop dog wrote: »

stovelid wrote: »

People seem to approach this as if the kid is nailed on to make it and will flower there in the environment.

The overwhelming majority will just come back as a failure and burned out at a young age and drop out of competitive football completely despite a few being good enough to make even a modest living in the game.

The recent profile of the league here has seen a fair few players get a second chance at the top level of the game despite being adjudged to have not been good enough first time around.

Football should be about players and their own league not a factory for producing players for top clubs.

Nobody is saying he's nailed on to make at all, but the likelihood of progression is certainly higher than most would have giving the world class training he'll receive from a young age.

You'd think so, but not really. I'd back a child of similar natural ability of that age to do better staying in a stable environment (not being parachuted into a new world with a new language, new life, new everything). I think if you go through the majority of pro footballers you'll find very few that left anywhere near that young, and especially not that big a change.

UnitedIrishman · 13-04-2012 5:25pm

To be honest, I'm from not far from Ballyhaunis - I'd be looking for any way out and Madrid is like dying and going to heaven, jobs or not!

Best of luck to the lad, hadn't heard of him before in local news or anything but he must be handy. I'm sure his parents will ensure he gets a good education whilst out there, something that is lacking in the English game.

plasmaguy · 13-04-2012 5:28pm

doncarlos wrote: »

I think it's pretty disgusting to be honest.

Hmm..I think Messi joined Barca at around aged 9 or 10. So also Fabrigas and most of their current golden generation.

Was that disgusting too?

It's definitely hard, but if it was my son, I'd say go for it.

Opportunity of a lifetime, and provided they look after his education, then no issues with it whatsoever.

Definitely prefer a life in Madrid to one in Ballyhaunis!

CSF · 13-04-2012 5:33pm

plasmaguy wrote: »

doncarlos wrote: »

I think it's pretty disgusting to be honest.

Hmm..I think Messi joined Barca at around aged 9 or 10. So also Fabrigas and most of their current golden generation.

Was that disgusting too?

In Messi's case, yes definitely. I don't know exactly where Fabregas, Xavi and co are from or how young they moved but either way its not the same.

meriwether · 13-04-2012 5:41pm

stovelid wrote: »

People seem to approach this as if the kid is nailed on to make it and will flower there in the environment.

The overwhelming majority will just come back as a failure and burned out at a young age and drop out of competitive football completely despite a few being good enough to make even a modest living in the game.

The recent profile of the league here has seen a fair few players get a second chance at the top level of the game despite being adjudged to have not been good enough first time around.

Football should be about players and their own league not a factory for producing players for top clubs.

Its not a factory.

No player is made go anywhere he doesn't want to.

If a player is in a foreign league, you can be pretty sure he wanted to go.

Your post is more wishful thinking that all Irish players would stay and play in the Irish league than actually based on reality.

CSF · 13-04-2012 5:43pm

meriwether wrote: »

stovelid wrote: »

People seem to approach this as if the kid is nailed on to make it and will flower there in the environment.

The overwhelming majority will just come back as a failure and burned out at a young age and drop out of competitive football completely despite a few being good enough to make even a modest living in the game.

The recent profile of the league here has seen a fair few players get a second chance at the top level of the game despite being adjudged to have not been good enough first time around.

Football should be about players and their own league not a factory for producing players for top clubs.

Its not a factory.

No player is made go anywhere he doesn't want to.

If a player is in a foreign league, you can be pretty sure he wanted to go.

Your post is more wishful thinking that all Irish players would stay and play in the Irish league than actually based on reality.

You're completely utterly wrong. He isn't a footballer, he is a child.

meriwether · 13-04-2012 5:47pm

CSF wrote: »

You're completely utterly wrong. He isn't a footballer, he is a child.

You will note the post I quoted stated 'players' not 'the child in question'.

I addressed the post made.

PhlegmyMoses · 13-04-2012 5:51pm

CSF wrote: »

You'd think so, but not really. I'd back a child of similar natural ability of that age to do better staying in a stable environment (not being parachuted into a new world with a new language, new life, new everything). I think if you go through the majority of pro footballers you'll find very few that left anywhere near that young, and especially not that big a change.

Kids that age adapt far better to new environments than kids even 3 to four years older.

I'm torn on this one. On the one hand, it would be beneficial to the kid to stay in Ireland and develop from there. On the other hand, he is getting to experience a new culture which is always a great opportunity. He will come out with non-footballing benefits that he would not have had in Ireland otherwise. Having a second language to native fluency levels would be one of these benefits.

Even if he doesn't make it as a pro, if he wanted to become a coach, having Spanish and English will double his chances of eking out a career. This is not even taking into account the contacts he will make and the level of coaching he will be exposed to.

CSF · 13-04-2012 5:55pm

PhlegmyMoses wrote: »

CSF wrote: »

You'd think so, but not really. I'd back a child of similar natural ability of that age to do better staying in a stable environment (not being parachuted into a new world with a new language, new life, new everything). I think if you go through the majority of pro footballers you'll find very few that left anywhere near that young, and especially not that big a change.

Kids that age adapt far better to new environments than kids even 3 to four years older.

I'm torn on this one. On the one hand, it would be beneficial to the kid to stay in Ireland and develop from there. On the other hand, he is getting to experience a new culture which is always a great opportunity. He will come out with non-footballing benefits that he would not have had in Ireland otherwise. Having a second language to native fluency levels would be one of these benefits.

Even if he doesn't make it as a pro, if he wanted to become a coach, having Spanish and English will double his chances of eking out a career. This is not even taking into account the contacts he will make and the level of coaching he will be exposed to.

No child of that age should be pushed into any career. No child that age is able to make a real decision on what they want to be in 10 years time.

losthorizon · 13-04-2012 5:59pm

Doocey wrote: »

Correct - however there is quite a strong possibility he will make it at a professional level in some league.

There actually isnt and that's the sad part. You only hear about the success.

Son Of A Vidic · 13-04-2012 6:02pm

It makes a refreshing change from the usual send them to England conveyor belt. So when he becomes the next Messi/Ronaldo, one can only hope he'll declare for Ireland.

revz · 13-04-2012 6:04pm

Children move country all the time, usually due to their parents' commitments.
I moved country aged 6 months, 7 years old, and at 12 back to Ireland (Although they were all English-speaking, so different, yes).
I'd assume the parents had a good sit-down and talked it through with their son, explained to him he'd have to move away from his friends and learn a new language, and he's taken all that in.
If you offered me the chance at that age when I was moving around to go to Madrid to play for one of the most successful teams in the world, I'd have jumped at the chance.
As long as there's not some back story to this in which the child has been forced to agree by his parents, I think it's a credit to them that they'd be willing to let him take this opportunity & go with him.
It'll be a life experience worth having, and if it falls through, so what, when he's older down the pub with his friends he can brag about how he used to play for Real Madrid :cool:

Kaizer Sosa · 13-04-2012 6:10pm

What paper is this in? I googled it and couldn't find it.

fryup · 13-04-2012 6:13pm

thread title - how can a 9 yr old be a man

CSF · 13-04-2012 6:14pm

revz wrote: »

Children move country all the time, usually due to their parents' commitments.
I moved country aged 6 months, 7 years old, and at 12 back to Ireland (Although they were all English-speaking, so different, yes).
I'd assume the parents had a good sit-down and talked it through with their son, explained to him he'd have to move away from his friends and learn a new language, and he's taken all that in.
If you offered me the chance at that age when I was moving around to go to Madrid to play for one of the most successful teams in the world, I'd have jumped at the chance.
As long as there's not some back story to this in which the child has been forced to agree by his parents, I think it's a credit to them that they'd be willing to let him take this opportunity & go with him.
It'll be a life experience worth having, and if it falls through, so what, when he's older down the pub with his friends he can brag about how he used to play for Real Madrid :cool:

He is 9. He is nowhere near emotionally developed to make such a decision. If this was Google or Microsoft setting up a managerial development program for 9 year olds to create their managers of the future, where Google or Microsoft then made money off the child if he went and managed someone else, people would be disgusted.

Apparently this is ok though, because Messi is great and it worked out for him.

Samich · 13-04-2012 6:15pm

Any link? I can't find it online?

PhlegmyMoses · 13-04-2012 6:15pm

CSF wrote: »

No child of that age should be pushed into any career. No child that age is able to make a real decision on what they want to be in 10 years time.

He is not being pushed into a career, though. He will, I would assume, continue full education. Football is different from back in the day. The likes of Jonny Evans and Welbeck at United both got top marks at A-levels and were more than set up to do something else if football didn't work out. Oliver Gill was at United from a young age but decided football wasn't for him so went to Durham University, one of the top unis in the UK, to study economics.

Jesus Christ, kids move all of the time because their parents are economic migrants. i can't see how this is different. His parents are giving him the best opportunity to do something he enjoys so that he can maybe make a living out of it. They will have to ensure that he doesn't put all of his eggs in one basket and becomes a well-rounded individual. Which is the job of all parents everywhere.

Sr. Pirotecnic · 13-04-2012 6:17pm

this seems to be the only reference on the internet:

http://www.ballyhaunischamber.ie/node/138

CSF · 13-04-2012 6:19pm

PhlegmyMoses wrote: »

He is not being pushed into a career, though. He will, I would assume, continue full education. Football is different from back in the day. The likes of Jonny Evans and Welbeck at United both got top marks at A-levels and were more than set up to do something else if football didn't work out. Oliver Gill was at United from a young age but decided football wasn't for him so went to Durham University, one of the top unis in the UK, to study economics.

Jesus Christ, kids move all of the time because their parents are economic migrants. i can't see how this is different. His parents are giving him the best opportunity to do something he enjoys so that he can maybe make a living out of it. They will have to ensure that he doesn't put all of his eggs in one basket and becomes a well-rounded individual. Which is the job of all parents everywhere.

He is being pushed into a career, the fact that he continues full education is irrelevant. These academies aren't there for kids to pursue their hobbies, they are starting a career path at 9 years old. If that isn't being pushed into a career I don't know what is.

Children having to move because of their parents work (while still not good for the development of a child but ultimately sometimes necessary to pay the bills) is completely different to a child of 9 being moved somewhere to pursue a career that the child is nowhere near emotionally capable of deciding to do.

PhlegmyMoses · 13-04-2012 6:19pm

CSF wrote: »

He is 9. He is nowhere near emotionally developed to make such a decision. If this was Google or Microsoft setting up a managerial development program for 9 year olds to create their managers of the future, where Google or Microsoft then made money off the child if he went and managed someone else, people would be disgusted.

Apparently this is ok though, because Messi is great and it worked out for him.

This isn't a direct analogy at all. Maybe if the kids were dreaming of being middle-managers anyway and were already managing at their local shop with a vague view of progressing to one of the big companies in the US, then you could make a comparison. Football is fun for kids. It will still be fun when he goes to Madrid. The only big difference is that he will be living somewhere different. Which is the case for millions of kids worldwide who aren't even getting the opportunity to develop their natural talent at something they love.

CSF · 13-04-2012 6:21pm

PhlegmyMoses wrote: »

This isn't a direct analogy at all. Maybe if the kids were dreaming of being middle-managers anyway and were already managing at their local shop with a vague view of progressing to one of the big companies in the US, then you could make a comparison. Football is fun for kids. It will still be fun when he goes to Madrid. The only big difference is that he will be living somewhere different. Which is the case for millions of kids worldwide who aren't even getting the opportunity to develop their natural talent at something they love.

You clearly do not understand the pressure on these kids in these academies. They are not there to have fun, they are there to succeed. Real Madrid are not paying for children and their families to move to Madrid to have fun.

PhlegmyMoses · 13-04-2012 6:21pm

CSF wrote: »

He is being pushed into a career, the fact that he continues full education is irrelevant. These academies aren't there for kids to pursue their hobbies, they are starting a career path at 9 years old. If that isn't being pushed into a career I don't know what is.

Children having to move because of their parents work (while still not good for the development of a child but ultimately sometimes necessary to pay the bills) is completely different to a child of 9 being moved somewhere to pursue a career that the child is nowhere near emotionally capable of deciding to do.

If the child doesn't like it, he will give up at 15 like the vast majority of other kids. Kids are regularly pushed into different activities that they don't want to do and give them up when they see fit. Again, it is his parents' job to prevent him from putting all of his eggs in one basket. if you don't treat it as your only career option, then it will not be your only career option.

CSF · 13-04-2012 6:25pm

PhlegmyMoses wrote: »

If the child doesn't like it, he will give up at 15 like the vast majority of other kids. Kids are regularly pushed into different activities that they don't want to do and give them up when they see fit. Again, it is his parents' job to prevent him from putting all of his eggs in one basket. if you don't treat it as your only career option, then it will not be your only career option.

Are you actually genuinely making this argument? Jesus Christ. You can't compare this to a child being made go to scouts or German classes after school.

revz · 13-04-2012 6:26pm

CSF wrote: »

He is 9. He is nowhere near emotionally developed to make such a decision. If this was Google or Microsoft setting up a managerial development program for 9 year olds to create their managers of the future, where Google or Microsoft then made money off the child if he went and managed someone else, people would be disgusted.

Apparently this is ok though, because Messi is great and it worked out for him.

Training a child in football which they enjoy playing would be different to getting them to sit down at a computer and practice managerial business practices.
I'd say he'll be living the dream of many 9 year olds, it's a fantastic opportunity, I don't see the harm. There's no contract, if it doesn't work out quickly he returns home to his friends in Mayo and gets on with his life.
If he emotionally develops in the mean-time and decides it's not for him in a few years, again no contract and he can move back.
If the parents denied him this opportunity on the grounds you're saying, then I guess they're his guardians and feel that's what's best so that would be respected too.
But they've talked it through with him (I'm assuming), and he wants to go, they're willing to travel, I don't see a problem.
Can't really see how it's disgusting, there'll be no money involved until he's 16+ and can sign a contract?

PhlegmyMoses · 13-04-2012 6:27pm

CSF wrote: »

You clearly do not understand the pressure on these kids in these academies. They are not there to have fun, they are there to succeed. Real Madrid are not paying for children and their families to move to Madrid to have fun.

And I suppose you do. Please enlighten me. You are attributing an adult's cognitive abilities to a child. He will not feel pressure in the same way as you or I. He WILL have fun. He CAN have other options for a career and he WILL get many benefits out of the experience. You seem to think that he's going to end up some kind of emotionally broken wreck as a result of going to Madrid for a few years. If his parents are in any way decent, he will get over not making it if he ends up being let go. He will have had a great experience that most can only dream of at that age.

Vurnon San Benito · 13-04-2012 6:34pm

It's in the Western People for anyone that can acquire one.

Just a little paragraph, but interesting.

9 year-old Mayoman set for Real Madrid

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