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Brian Madjo debut sends fans into a frenzy as hype builds: 'England have Harry Kane replacement'
Rohan Mehta | August 14, 2026 10:48 AM CST

17-year-old striker looks like a future superstar after scoring for Aston Villa against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.

The 17-year-old forward was the name on everyone’s lips before Wednesday night’s annual meeting between the Champions League winners and the Europa League holders in Salzburg.

Although Villa were beaten 2-1 at Red Bull Arena after a second-half winner from Desire Doue helped Paris Saint-Germain retain the trophy, Madjo was still comfortably the main talking point.

The teenager met John McGinn’s cross at the back post with a volley right on the stroke of half-time to bring Unai Emery’s side level in Austria after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had opened the scoring.

Madjo had already come close to marking his debut with a goal on four separate occasions and caused the established Paris Saint-Germain centre-back duo of Marquinhos and Willian Pacho all sorts of problems with his technical quality and imposing physical presence.

He was eventually replaced by Tammy Abraham with 18 minutes remaining, while 19-year-old team-mate George Hemmings completed the full 90 minutes and also impressed on what was an encouraging evening for Villa despite the defeat.

The first competitive look at Madjo — who already stands 6ft 4ins tall — in a Villa shirt certainly lived up to the anticipation, with supporters delighted to finally watch him in action after an eight-month struggle following his £10million move from French side Metz after he turned 17 in January.

FIFA had not allowed Villa to register Madjo for the second half of last season because international transfers for players under the age of 18 are not permitted.

Madjo — the son of former Cameroonian midfielder Guy Madjo, who played for several English clubs including Bristol City — grew up in Luxembourg and has represented the country three times in senior international friendlies, though Villa argued that his registration should be approved because he was born in London.

Their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was ultimately successful, paving the way for Madjo to make his long-awaited competitive debut against Paris Saint-Germain in the absence of Ollie Watkins.

Madjo is eligible to play for England as his country of birth and has changed his international allegiance after appearing a number of times for Liam Bramley’s Under-17 side — something permitted because none of his senior appearances for Luxembourg last year came in competitive fixtures.

He played for the Three Lions at last summer’s European Under-17 Championship in Albania.

England and Villa fans alike have found it hard to contain their excitement over Madjo’s potential, with one supporter writing: “Brian Madjo is going to be some player. 17 years old and he's equalised against PSG for Aston Villa. We have our Harry Kane replacement.”

Another reaction said: “Brian Madjo could have scored 4 goals in 45 minutes vs the 2x reigning European champions on his debut as a 17 year old. WHAT ON EARTH.”

Speaking on talkSPORT, former Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor said: “I don’t think you can start saying now he’s the next [England] striker after Harry Kane, but if I’m the FA, I am fast-tracking him.”

Agbonlahor added that the “fantastic” Madjo reminded him of a young Romelu Lukaku, while fellow former Villa player Lee Hendrie compared him to Emile Heskey.

Madjo also earned strong praise from his team-mates and manager Emery, with Villa captain John McGinn saying after the Paris Saint-Germain match: “He was absolutely fantastic - 17 years of age, such a great physical specimen.

“But he's been through a lot. He's not been able to play for six months to a year and he's handled that amazingly. He's kept himself in good shape.

“It would have been very easy for him to put his head down after those missed chances, but good strikers get themselves in those positions, and he's going to be a big player for us this season.”


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