Striker John Yeboah, known as the “Neymar of Hamburg”, projects to be a key player for Ecuador in its fight for a place in the next phase of the World Cup. Born in Germany, he is scheduled to start the decisive clash against the German team this Thursday, at 5 pm, in New Jersey, seeking to fulfill his dream of playing in a World Cup for his mother’s country.
With the below-expected performance of Enner Valencia, who failed to convert good opportunities, especially against Curaçao, the South American team turns its eyes to the player of German origin as its main hope of qualifying.
Ecuador’s situation in Group E is challenging. The team occupies third place and needs a victory to have a chance of moving forward in the tournament. If Germany wins, the Ecuadorian team will reach four points, but will still depend on a defeat by Ivory Coast in their game. In scenarios of a draw or African triumph, the only way for Ecuador would be to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
The passion for football came unpretentiously for Yeboah, who used to play on the streets of Hamburg. His entry into the professional scene began after being noticed by a Wolfsburg scout while playing amateur futsal. At the age of 15, his skill and speed quickly led him to football.
He describes himself as a “street football player”, preferring small spaces and a late start at clubs. Currently, Yeboah is part of the Venezia squad, a team that became champions of Italy’s Serie B in the most recent season.
Even with a late entry into organized football, the winger’s rise was meteoric. In 2015, he was still on the streets with friends. Just two years later, he was already playing for Germany’s youth teams, showing his rapid development.
During this period, the nickname “Neymar” emerged. On a visit to a school in India with the German team, the children were fascinated by his dribbling and tricks with the ball, immediately associating him with the Brazilian star, who is their great idol.
Yeboah expresses great admiration for Neymar, stating that he learns a lot by watching his dribbling and the way the Brazilian frees himself from difficult markings, often watching videos of him on the internet.
Despite his success at German youth level, a chance at the senior team never materialized. The desire to participate in a World Cup was decisive for him to opt for dual nationality, taking advantage of the fact that he has an Ecuadorian mother and a Ghanaian father. This choice is part of a growing trend in world football, where athletes with multiple origins seek to represent countries with greater opportunities for international visibility in major tournaments, such as the World Cup, ensuring the realization of an athletic dream that could not be achieved in teams with greater tradition and competition.
In March 2024, Yeboah made his debut for the Ecuador national team. Since then, he has played 23 games and scored three goals, establishing himself as one of coach Sebastián Beccacece’s trusted athletes.
In this edition of the World Cup, the player has already participated in two matches, totaling 152 minutes on the field, although without finding the net. His current mission is essential for Ecuador to surpass its best performance in the World Cup, which was reaching the round of 16 in 2006.