Troy Parrott: The face symbolising Irish hope | OneFootball

Ireland have grown accustomed to the idea of enduring hardship to dream of World Cup appearances. But this time, redemption came in the form of a 23-year-old striker with a shy smile, a powerful shot, and a story of maturation far from home.

Troy Parrott – developed in the youth ranks of Tottenham Hotspur and now a standout at Eredivisie side AZ – has become the talk of the country following two near-epic performances in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Cinematic Protagonist

The journey towards the World Cup play-offs seemed to crumble round after round. The Irish team was stumbling, facing creative issues, and relied on individual brilliance to stay alive in the group. That brilliance arrived.

Against the formidable Portugal, when Ireland seemed doomed to fall by the wayside, Parrott shone with the brilliance that had followed him since his adolescence at Tottenham. Bagging two goals, he secured a win against the Portuguese and kept the country alive in the competition.

But the most impressive chapter was yet to come. In Budapest, against Hungary, Ireland were losing 2-1 and beginning to see the end of the line. That was until Parrott decided to write a different ending.

The striker scored a historic hat-trick, with the decisive goal coming late in injury time, silencing the Hungarian crowd and thrilling the hearts of millions of Irish worldwide. From a dramatic game, a new 'national hero' was born.

From Tottenham Promise to Rebirth in the Netherlands

Irish football has always seen Parrott as a special talent. Discovered very young at Spurs, he was seen as a gem to be polished, someone who could follow in the footsteps of icons like Robbie Keane. But the transition to professional football in England was not straightforward: lack of playing time, frustrating loans, and a development that seemed to stall.

It was only in the Netherlands that Parrott found the ideal environment to blossom. First at Excelsior, during the 2023/2024 season, where he began to rediscover his goal-scoring touch, confidence, and leading role. Later, at AZ Alkmaar, where he finally reached the level many had predicted for him years earlier.

On the Way to the Peak

Playing for AZ in 2025, Parrott is experiencing the best moment of his career. In just 14 matches, he has scored 13 times, with six in the Eredivisie and seven in the Europa Conference League, performance that has made him one of the most productive strikers of the season in Dutch football.

Beyond the numbers, what stands out is the maturity of the young Irishman. Parrott has become a more complete striker: he moves between lines, finishes with precision, and, above all, has learned to take responsibility in crucial moments. Something that, for many Irish, places him on the same emotional level as the nation's great names.

The New Face of a Nation Passionate About Football

At just 23 years old, Troy Parrott now carries on his shoulders something few can manage: the hope of an entire nation. Not just for his goals, but for his ability to turn unlikely situations into stories of overcoming.

Ireland is not yet in the World Cup, and still needs to face the tough European play-offs. But if there is one name capable of leading the country there, that name is Troy Parrott. The boy forged at Tottenham, matured in Dutch football, and who, on two magical nights against Portugal and Hungary, shifted from being a promise to becoming a symbol.

A national hero, the kind that football creates from time to time to remind us that, when all seems lost, there can always be someone ready to change fate with a kick.