Huge twist: Manchester United's 'Kid Messi' wants to leave immediately

JJ Gabriel, the fifteen‑year‑old top talent who is labeled by The Telegraph as ‘Kid Messi’, formally requested on Monday to terminate his registration with Manchester United immediately, meaning he wants to continue as a free‑transfer player. The decision comes as a huge surprise for the club, which has been developing him since he was eleven.

Young talent and recent performances

Gabriel scored a hat‑trick last week for Manchester United Under‑19 against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League, making him the youngest United player ever to score three times in a single match in that competition. He regularly trains with the first team and made an officially unofficial debut during pre‑season preparations.

Last season he was named Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year. Michael Carrick emphasized that the club is cautious with his development, while Ryan Giggs called him a ‘generational talent’. According to The Telegraph he is the ‘Messi’ of youth.

Contract and possible departure scenarios

Gabriel has a contract that runs until the end of the season, giving Manchester United the option to contest his request. There is currently no talk of an immediate move to another club.

It appears that he did not train with Michael Carrick’s squad last week due to issues between the player’s family and the club. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are directly involved in the talks, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Club reaction and future outlook

Gabriel made his senior debut for United in a pre‑season match against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm, and he was expected to start in the Carabao Cup match against Brighton. The club is renowned for its youth academy and saw him as a potential pathway to the first team.

Whether Manchester United will agree to his departure is still unclear. Man‑media is following the case closely, while the future of the ‘Kid Messi’ remains up in the air.