Brian Madjo in four-word message as Bayern display affirms Aston Villa CAS delight
Brian Madjo marked his first Aston Villa game since his landmark Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling in impressive style.
The 17-year-old had been prevented from playing competitive football for Aston Villa due to FIFA's rules limiting international transfers for players under the age of 18.
However, due to Madjo being born in London and a citizen of the United Kingdom, Villa chiefs argued that he should be exempt from this legislation.
Earlier this week, CAS agreed with the Villans and decided to uphold the ruling, thus enabling Madjo to start playing competitive football at Villa Park right away.
Had they decided to rule against Villa, then Unai Emery would've been forced to wait until the striker turned 18 in January 2027 before being able to field him in competitive action.
And after missing the friendlies against Real Sociedad and Pathum United, Madjo returned to action for the clash with Bayern Munich on Friday, and he flashed glimpses of his star potential.
What did Brian Madjo say in first words since CAS ruling?
Given how highly thought of Madjo is around Villa Park, getting him available for competitive football earlier than previously expected is a massive boost for Aston Villa.
Despite his tender age, this is a striker who looks mature beyond his years, both in physical stature and in his ability to not look out of place at senior level already.
Taking to his Instagram account on Friday evening, Madjo shared his first words since the CAS ruling, and it's obvious how much weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
"No distractions, I'm free," he wrote, and free he is to now play in Villa's upcoming Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening.
Madjo's performance against Bayern also stayed true to his words here, as the teenager, despite not finding the back of the net, definitely left his impact on the match.
How Madjo passed Bayern Munich test
In Hong Kong on Friday night, Emery would start Madjo and give him 60 minutes against one of world football's elite sides in Bayern Munich.
This would be a big test of the teenager's character and ability at this stage of his career, as Vincent Kompany didn't field a weak side by any means.
But Madjo's underlying numbers from his hour on the pitch proved that he's without doubt ready to be heavily involved in Emery's first-team thinking in this coming campaign.
As per Sofascore, he put two shots on goal, won one foul, carried the ball six times and completed 89 per cent of his passes successfully.
Meanwhile, Madjo was also accurate with all five of his passes inside his own half, made one clearance, won two of his four aerial duels and also won a ground duel.
He wasn't dribbled past once, as well as attempting one cross and one dribble before being replaced by Tammy Abraham on the hour mark.
So, with Ollie Watkins yet to play any part in pre-season, Madjo looks set to lead the line in the Super Cup against PSG next week, in what would be his full competitive debut for Aston Villa.
