Ahead of reunion with Dortmund: Moukoko gives honest assessment | OneFootball

Before the Champions League clash with his former club Borussia Dortmund, Youssoufa Moukoko speaks candidly about self-criticism and a fresh start. The 20-year-old explains why he turned his back on Germany—and what he had to learn in Copenhagen.

Last summer, Youssoufa Moukoko took an unusual path: instead of staying in the Bundesliga, the striker moved from Borussia Dortmund to FC Copenhagen. Shortly before the Champions League duel with his former club, he speaks openly about his decision, his mistakes—and his belief in himself.

“I wanted out,” Moukoko said in an interview with kicker. There were offers from Germany, he said, but after years between hope and frustration, he needed a real change of scenery. “In Dortmund, it was always the coach’s fault when I didn’t play. In Nice, I learned to look for the fault in myself first before I look at others.”

The young forward, once celebrated as a prodigy, currently has four goals in 20 competitive matches for the Danish champions. After a strong start, however, he recently hit a dip in form—and faced sometimes harsh criticism. “I am my own biggest critic. I know this isn’t my level,” he said self-critically. “I would have substituted myself off.”

Fresh start in Copenhagen: Moukoko explains his departure from BVB

Despite setbacks, the youngest player in Bundesliga history remains combative: “I’ll get out of this again, I know it.” Moukoko points to the challenge of suddenly going the full 90 minutes regularly after two years with little playing time. “Then suddenly playing every three days is a real slog at first,” the 20-year-old explained.

Even the previous year, a loan to French club OGC Nice had changed his view of the business. “Many won’t understand when I say this, but Nice was the best thing that could have happened to me,” he said. There, he learned to handle pressure and emotions—and to develop patience.

In Dortmund, by contrast, the relationship had become increasingly strained. After lengthy contract negotiations, Youssoufa Moukoko did receive a lucrative new deal, but he couldn’t prevail against his competition up front. Eventually, the decision-makers pushed for a departure. In the summer of 2025, the striker moved to Copenhagen for around five million euros—a fresh start in a calmer environment.

Whether he will be happy there in the long term remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Tuesday evening brings a reunion with BVB.

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