The next step for the playmaker will be to establish more confidence in his playing style, particularly in front of goal.

He’s one of the most talented 19 year-olds in the business, particularly with the ball at his feet, pinned down to his exemplary close control and uncanny fenagling out of tight spaces.Ĭoming from deep, the 5’8″ talent thrives when setting the tempo, often able to switch between hitting the opposition on the break and patiently keeping possession to build an attack. Able to play off the right, as a ‘number 10’ or even as a false-nine, you can certainly see the similarities to his Argentine idol. Touted to be the ‘Austrian Messi’, Demir has had to cope with enormous expectations placed upon his shoulders. Here is our analysis of Demir at this summer’s U19 European Championship. This Euros tournament has been all about regaining the confidence that sent Yusuf Demir to Camp Nou in the first place, and many top European sides will now be on red alert for his signature. Since returning to Rapid, his performances have been up and down, but his evident technical quality still brings promise for what could become of the 19-year-old in the future. Things never quite panned out for Demir at Barca, and his contract was terminated after just six months. Not reaching the semi-finals will feel like a major disappointment for Das Team, but the Wien local boy looks to have found the reinvigorating form that earned him a move to Barcelona at the start of last season.

A rollercoaster of a year for Yusuf Demir can end with his head held high, after a tournament full of pride with Austria’s Under-19’s.

Turkish by Yusuf Demir