After training debut under Kompany: Bayern youngster shines with hat-trick | OneFootball

Maycon Douglas Cardozo is creating the next success story from FC Bayern's own youth ranks. The 17-year-old Brazilian, who only trained with Vincent Kompany's first team for the first time a few days ago, made a significant impact in the U19 Bundesliga over the weekend.

In Bayern U19's 4-2 victory against SpVgg Unterhaching, Cardozo scored a flawless hat-trick. The youngster found the net in the 10th, 32nd, and 45th minutes, almost single-handedly leading his team to victory. Bogdan Olychenko scored the fourth goal.

That Cardozo impressed so much just days after his training debut with the pros highlights his rapid development. Just last week, Kompany called him up to the first team's training because many national players were away on international duty. For Cardozo, it was a historic moment: He is the first player ever to make the leap from the FC Bayern World Squad to the pros.

This international youth project, operated together with partner Audi, aims to introduce young talents from around the world to professional football. Cardozo became part of the program in April 2024, which is currently led by former Bayern striker Roy Makaay and his assistant Diego Contento. Before that, he played in Thailand for Bangkok Christian College FC before moving to Munich.

Maycon Douglas Cardozo has an extraordinary story

In the current season, the attacking midfielder has played in eleven competitive matches for the U19, contributing three goals and two assists—all three goals coming from his recent performance against Unterhaching. Cardozo had already impressed in the previous season with the record champions' U17 team.

His journey is as unusual as it is impressive. Cardozo is the son of former professional Douglas Cardozo, who played in Brazil, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland, among other places. The 17-year-old is considered ambitious, technically strong, and tactically disciplined—and he has big goals: "I want to play in the Champions League one day," he said in an earlier interview.

Photo: IMAGO

His role models are clear: Alphonso Davies in today's Bayern squad and Philippe Coutinho from his childhood. Off the pitch, the youngster has already become a small brand—he has over 200,000 fans following him on YouTube and more than 220,000 on Instagram.

Cardozo's dream of making it into Bayern's first team could come a step closer with performances like this hat-trick.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.