Bayern Munich enters Third World Child Trade Business Race to sign the next Maradona

By: Jan | August 6th, 2007

Pier Larrauri Corroy I guess six to eight years from now will mark the beginning of a new golden age for the beautiful game.

That’s around the time when a large wave of young Maradona successors will eventually make the step from the youth academies of Europe’s G14 clubs to the big stage. At least that’s what every new YouTube video of some 9-14 year old child performing some football circus tricks and subsequent reports about his move to Europe suggests.

So far Bayern Munich decided to self-restrict themselves and not ‘import’ players that are under 16 years old. Yet, in times where Manchester United pay €31,5m to FC Porto to sign 19 year old Anderson or where AC Milan tosses out €20m for a 17 year old talent, getting your hands on a potential superstar at an even younger age might be the economically better option - FIFA regulations forbid that children sign contracts with clubs and that any transfer fees are being paid.

It’s not necessarily the worst thing that could happen to you. Lionel Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy at the age of 14 and his whole family made the move to Spain with him. Barcelona also paid the medical treatment that he needed at that time and that his family couldn’t afford to pay for. Coming from a poor background, his move to Europe probably was a good thing for Messi and his family. His teammate Eto ended up in Spain at the age of 14 as well. Just that he was all alone when he arrived at Madrid airport and had to make it without his family.

Back to Germany and the new wunderkind that will now spend a year (for a start) at Bayern Munich’s youth academy. His name is Pier Larrauri Corroy. He comes from Peru, is 13 years old and the designated Maradona successor number 42. As can be expected, an obligatory YouTube video showcasing some of his trickery exists for him as well, which you can check out at the end of this post. The price he pays: He will leave his home, mother and younger brother behind, while his father will join him on his European adventure. I guess if Pier extends his stay, his mother and brother will move to Germany as well, so he wouldn’t be cut of from one half of his family. But still, I’m not so sure about this whole trend.

Brazil’s president Lula, has a very clear opinion about the whole issue. Brazil exported 850 football players last year and Lula is keen to prevent that this number will consist to 2/3 of children and teenagers in the future.