Mukhtar between MVP and Tornado: Suddenly a Berliner dominates the MLS

Mukhtar between MVP and tornado
Suddenly a Berliner dominates the MLS

Needed by David

In his youth he is considered a “child prodigy”, one of the greatest talents in Germany: Hany Mukhtar leaves Hertha BSC at a young age, becomes a globetrotter and is now enthusiastic about the MLS in the USA. A full team is being built around him in Nashville – and now they’re looking for the championship.

A stepover. And another stepover. Irresistibly, Hany Mukhtar pulls out of the right half-field in the direction of the penalty area. His opponent only accompanies him almost reverently. The offensive artist with the number 10 on his back also escapes the next defensive line with nimble steps, while he penetrates the penalty area, deliberately ends with a flat left corner in the right corner of the goal – and turns away to cheer in front of the frenetically celebrating fans.

2-1 for Nashville SC against Orlando City. Major League Soccer. Qualification game (the so-called play-in game) for the playoffs. First of all, these are terms that football fans in Europe do not particularly scratch. But: This is about someone who was once considered one of the greatest talents in Germany. As a “child prodigy”. In 2014 Mukhtar shot the German U19 national team for the European Championship, in a team with Joshua Kimmich and Julian Brandt. He scored the decisive goal in the final against Portugal, and then also kicked for the U21 national team.

Now, at the age of 26, Mukhtar is playing big in the US. So much so that the Berliner is a hot candidate for the league’s MVP trophy for the most valuable player. In 31 games of the season he excelled with 16 goals and 12 assists, as one of five candidates he is nominated for the award. The ten, who now often acts as a hanging tip (a change of position that he was initially skeptical about, but which apparently paid off), has found a new home in Nashville. Again After leaving Hertha BSC in 2014 (for 500,000 euros to Benfica Lisbon), the then 19-year-old became a globetrotter. Via Red Bull Salzburg he landed at Bröndby IF, where he had his best time from 2016 to 2019. “I earn money with my hobby and can experience so many beautiful countries,” said Mukhtar happily in an interview with “spox.com”. “Who can say that about himself?”

So now Nashville. At the beginning of 2020, Mukhtar moved from Copenhagen to the US center of country music in the state of Tennessee for a good two and a half million euros. An adventure in many ways. “There are more natural disasters here,” said the Berliner, slightly shocked in his early days at “spox.com”. “Two weeks ago a tornado raged and two of my teammates lost their apartment.” Mukhtar came to Nashville with a lot of early praise, as one of the select few he is allowed to earn above the upper salary limit set by the MLS. Club owner John Ingram even let him fly into “Music City” in his private jet.

The American businessman only stomped Nashville SC out of the ground in 2017. The first MLS game followed in 2020. With the focus point Hany Mukhtar. “What impressed me the most was that the club said: We’ll build a complete team around you,” enthused the former Hertha owner. “That doesn’t really exist in today’s professional football any more.” After a cautious start (four goals and three assists in 15 games), the 26-year-old really got going this season and Nashville got off to a good start – with some chances for the championship.

Bundesliga return possible

“This year it is realizing its true potential,” said CEO Mike Jacobs to “mlssoccer.com”. “He’s showing the rest of the league what we saw in him when he was at Brondby.” His head coach Gary Smith also praised the promotion this season: “Who we have seen this year is someone who is much more self-confident, more stable and relaxed and who feels comfortable around them – not just in the city in which they are located but also in the team he’s with. “

Mukhtar had already equalized 1-1 against Orlando City. As always, he cheered after this goal with a salute in front of the fans. In the end, his Nashville SC won 3-1. For Berlin’s fifth game with at least two goals this season. On Sunday the conference semifinals will be played against Philadelphia in their Sabaru Park. Again those words that may trigger little emotion in this country. But if Hany Mukhtar continues like this, some Bundesliga clubs will take a closer look. He has already expressed interest in returning.

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