Manchester United’s Young Talent, Known as ‘Kid Messi,’ Nets 22-Minute Hat-Trick

JJ Gabriel, a 14-year-old prodigy at Manchester United, demonstrated his scoring prowess by netting a hat-trick within the first 27 minutes of a match for the Under-18s. Despite his age, he played for the team above his age group and helped secure a 4-0 victory against Derby County.

Gabriel’s quickfire goals came in the 5th, 14th, and 27th minutes, showcasing his ability to finish with both feet and his versatility in front of goal. His performance was complemented by captain Amir Ibragimov, 17, who scored a penalty to seal the win. The match highlighted Gabriel’s impressive start to the season, as he has now scored five times in his first three appearances for the U18s, with his team also maintaining four clean sheets in four games.

Dubbed ‘Kid Messi’ after viral videos of his futsal skills, Gabriel made headlines earlier this year as United’s youngest debutant at the U18 level, scoring twice against Leeds in a record 13-1 win. His rapid rise has seen him earn a squad number (95) — the highest in the club’s history — and secure a sponsorship deal with Nike.

Fans and observers have expressed excitement about his potential, with many rallying behind the young star on social media. Despite age restrictions preventing him from participating in this season’s FA Youth Cup, plans are underway to involve him in training with the first team under Ruben Amorim.

Son of former Irish international Joe O’Cearuill, Gabriel has already attracted interest from top European clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, though Manchester United aims to develop his talent further within their ranks.

United’s management remains cautious about overhype, but his recent performance reaffirms their belief that Gabriel could be a next-generation superstar for the club.