All his teammates were exhausted. They were sitting on the edge of the field, sweating after a hard training session in the height of summer. But Weston McKennie still had energy to burn.
The USA representative was using the Cleveland Browns training center during the Gold Cup 2019 tournament and the young midfielder decided to entertain his colleagues as he still wanted to train. He made long passes from left to right and vice versa. To increase the level of difficulty, McKennie would run in one direction and shoot the ball in the other direction. After that, he took a few more shots on goal and didn't feel tired at all. This work of his lasted about half an hour.
"We looked at him and thought, this guy could easily be an athlete in the NFL," says US team manager Gregg Berhalter, recalling the scene. "He is an incredible athlete. He even measured himself against the rugby players of the Cleveland team who were surprised."
In the eyes of his coaches and teammates, those minutes of practice after practice exemplified McKennie's traits - the athletic talent, boundless energy, natural penchant for fun and work ethic that combined to earn him a fairytale move to Juventus from Schalke at the age of 22 years old.
It's strange that the athletic ability that McKennie possesses was applied to football. When he was six, his father, John, a US Army sergeant, was expected to make a permanent change of base. One option considered was Alaska, but the family decided instead on Germany and Ramstein Air Base, about 16 miles outside Kaiserslautern. It was here that McKennie was introduced to football for the first time. He was taken to local club FC Phoenix Otterbach by his mother, Tina, who was looking for another activity to make up for the American football her son had been playing in the US.
also
McKennie is expected to extend his contract with Juventus
Mckennie scored eight goals in his first game and quickly rose to play with the club's eight-year-olds. Knowing little about the sport he was excelling at, it wasn't until Team USA came to town for a friendly against Poland in Kaiserslautern in 2006 that seven-year-old McKennie's eyes were opened to the world of soccer opportunities that lay ahead. He met the stars of coach Bruce Arena's team, had his shoes signed by Landon Donovan and decided he would one day play for the USA. After three years in Germany, McKennie and his family returned to the US, and his obsession with soccer survived the trip back across the Atlantic. He soon joined FC Dallas, becoming one of the best midfielders in the country, where he regularly received calls for the young generations of the USA. McKennie also helped the MLS club win the Soccer Development Academy national championship in 2015. McKennie quickly rose through the U.S. youth ranks. At the U19 level, coach Brad Friedel was so impressed that he pushed the 18-year-old Dallas player up to the U20 team.
"My first impression was that he is a player who has this endless energy in the middle of the field," said Tab Ramos, the USA coach, at the time. "He is a very powerful player. He is a relentless worker."
At the same time, McKennie was pondering a decision that would shape the rest of his career. He would be offered a scholarship to the University of Virginia, and Dallas wanted to tie him down to an academy player contract. Then, Schalke expressed interest in him offering him the opportunity to return to Germany to prove himself in the Bundesliga.
"He was at my camp in California and at that moment he left for Germany," recalls Ramos. "He told me that he had lived in Germany and that it was easy for him because he spoke German. He's been waiting for that opportunity since he came back to the U.S., and I think he was ready."
Schalke made efforts to lure McKennie. Schalke had under-19 manager Norbert Elgertin, a respected veteran coach who has helped develop the likes of Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and Leroy Sanet. He presented the club's plans for the American. And McKennie and his family were invited for a visit to the impressive stadium "Veltins-Arena", with a capacity of 62 thousand seats.
"This is where you'll be one day," Tina McKennie told her son as they stood in the middle of the field.
"Yes, I hope so," he replied.
Upon arriving in Gelsenkirchen, the industrial city where Schalke are based, McKenniet's skills impressed, but it was his work ethic that resonated most in his new surroundings.
"Wes radiates joy, provides a lot of fun and a positive atmosphere on the team," says Elgert. "But he can immediately go from fun to seriousness and concentrate fully on matches and training."
also
McKennie begins negotiations for a new contract
McKenniet's maturity and dedication throughout his development saw him quickly move away from youth football. Within nine months of his arrival in Germany, he was promoted to the Schalke first team, making his debut in May 2017 before establishing himself as a regular starter for the following season. In November of that year, he fulfilled a dream by following in the footsteps of Landon Donovan and other American players he had met as a seven-year-old after making his US debut in a friendly against Portugal. In the 20th minute, McKennie scored to become the third-youngest debut goal scorer for the American team. And even at international level, the work rate that had endeared him to Schalke fans and coaches stood out.
"Weston has so much energy," says Berhalter. "He is always the last player to leave the field after training. At least he trains for half an extra hour."
Schalke were Bundesliga runners-up in 2017/18, but player sales and mismanagement saw them struggle for survival for most of McKennie's tenure. In the turbulent period of the club, the American emerged as a leader. At the international level, his energy, commitment and personality have made him respected even in the USA. As his profile has grown, McKennie has tried to lead and inspire off the field as well. Similar to Manchester United star Marcus Rashford's work to fight poverty in the UK, McKennie and US teammates Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic teamed up to support Feeding America, the world's largest hunger relief organisation. place. The 22-year-old has been one of football's strongest voices in the campaign against social injustice.
Having become a symbol of Schalke, he was staying with his family considering his next transfer, after the club had informed him that they would be forced to let him go this summer. A move to the Premier League, those around McKennie thought would be the next logical step.
However, few, including McKennie, predicted a move for him to the European football giant. Juventus' interest caught him by surprise and it wasn't until the transfer was being finalized that McKennie allowed himself to believe it was really happening.
"Wes was fascinated by the idea of taking the next step in his development and career by training with football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gianluigi Buffon and Paulo Dybala," says Elgert.
"When a coach like Andrea Pirlo really wants you and thinks you can have an impact on his team, it's very difficult to say no to this offer."
At Schalke, they compare McKennie with the Liverpool midfielder, the Dutch Georginio Wijnaldum.
also
McKennie is offered a new contract
"Juventus is one of the best clubs in the world," added Elgert.
Given his natural athletic talent and early promise that he could achieve much in football, McKennie at the age of 22 is playing for the Italian giants. And, wearing the Juventus jersey, McKennie is realizing the American dream of making a career in Europe./Guardian
