In Reply to: Definitely. African soccer did not come to its current position posted by blindness on July 21, 2026 at 16:36:46
The path for a South American player to European football usually begins with youth level academies in their home countries. Messi started youth soccer as a small boy until relatives in Spain arranged a tryout with Barcelona which famously has a strong youth system. Brazil offers the same path, local clubs with strong youth academies, then clubs that sell the player's rights to rich European teams for big money.
African players are a little different. Kanu starred in an under 17 tournament and got picked up by a dutch side. Drogba's parents eventually moved to France for work. Adeybayor was spotted by European scouts. Mane was also spotted by scouts playing for a local side.
But the US doesn't really have any analog. College ball or high school ball isn't really the same intensity and youth soccer is not on the level.