Borussia Dortmund Issue Clear Statement After Youssoufa Moukoko Is Accused of Lying About His Age in Controversial Documentary
Borussia Dortmund have moved swiftly to protect one of their brightest young stars, Youssoufa Moukoko, after a controversial documentary aired in Germany accused the striker of falsifying his age. The program, released earlier this week, claimed to have uncovered inconsistencies regarding the player’s birth records, sparking heated debate across the footballing community.
Moukoko, long heralded as one of Europe’s most gifted attacking talents, has faced similar accusations in the past. Born in Cameroon before moving to Germany at a young age, he broke onto the scene with Dortmund’s youth teams, scoring at a phenomenal rate and drawing worldwide attention. By the age of 16, he became the youngest-ever player to debut in the Bundesliga — a record that cemented his reputation as a generational prospect.
The documentary, however, has attempted to cast doubt on the authenticity of his age, citing documents and testimonies that contradict the official records. The allegations quickly spread across social media, igniting a storm of speculation.
Dortmund wasted no time in responding. In a strongly worded statement, the club dismissed the claims as “baseless, damaging, and unsubstantiated.” A spokesperson said:
> “We fully support Youssoufa Moukoko. His age has been confirmed multiple times by the relevant authorities, including FIFA and the German Football Association (DFB). Attempts to discredit him are not only false but also harmful to his well-being as a young professional. Borussia Dortmund stands firmly behind our player.”
The club also criticized the documentary for what they described as “sensationalist journalism designed to create controversy rather than report facts.” Dortmund emphasized that Moukoko has undergone all the necessary legal and sporting checks, and that the allegations serve only to disrupt his career progression.
Moukoko himself has remained largely silent, though sources close to the player suggested he is deeply hurt by the renewed focus on his background. Having endured similar accusations since his teenage years, he has reportedly told teammates he is “tired of proving himself off the pitch” and wants to be judged solely on his footballing performances.
Several figures in the German footballing world have also come to Moukoko’s defense. Former players and coaches have urged the media to respect his privacy and to avoid fueling rumors that lack concrete evidence. One ex-Bundesliga star told Kicker: “This is a young man who has already achieved remarkable things. It is shameful to see him attacked again and again over something that has been settled.”
For Dortmund, the timing of the controversy is particularly unwelcome. With the new Bundesliga season underway and the Champions League campaign approaching, the club had hoped to focus on football rather than off-field distractions. Moukoko remains a crucial figure in the squad, capable of making an impact in big matches despite his tender age.
Whether the controversy will fade quickly or continue to cast a shadow remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Dortmund intend to stand firmly behind their striker. Their message is simple: Youssoufa Moukoko’s talent and contribution to the team are what truly matter — not baseless speculation about his age.
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