Nico Jackson, the Senegalese Neymar who went from playing on the street to the World Cup... in three years!

He was born in Gambia in 2001 but represents Senegal, he did not play inferiors and in 2019 he began his career as a footballer. “I didn’t know this was a possibility,” he said.

As in 2002, the Senegal national team did it again a historic World Cup in Qatar 2022, achieving the qualification to the round of 16 as second in Group A behind of Netherlands and about Ecuador and Qatar, the host. This Sunday they were eliminated against England for a place in the quarterfinals and on the substitute bench he was Nicolas Jacksonwho currently works in Villarreal of The Spanish Leaguebut what just three years ago he was still playing in the streets of his country and was known as the Senegalese Neymar.

Nico Jackson, the Senegalese Neymar: from the street to the World Cup in three years

Nicolas Jackson was born on June 20, 2001 in Banjul, the capital of Gambiabut of Selegese nationality by descent. He grew up focused on studies and He never made inferior in any club, so his only contact with football was in the streets of his country with his friends until 2019where he played for a brief period in the Home Sports Senegalese and finally emigrated to Villarreal in Spain.

“It is very strange to have gone so quickly from playing three years ago in the street with my friends to being here. It has been what I wanted and I have achieved it with a lot of work. I am very excited to be here and for my family as well. It is being It is something very special to be able to play this World Cup. It would be historic and incredible if Senegal won it. Because no African has ever won. It would be a great joy for the country.”he expressed some time ago in an interview with Relevo. “I never played in a youth academy. I focused on studying, but there came a time when I had to choose between studying and football. I tried football and here I am. At first my parents were a little angry, because I was leaving the studies, but they understood that it was very difficult for an African player to go to Europe and I had that opportunity. First I played for Casa Sports for a short time and then I went to Villarreal. A year ago, I thought of the World Cup as something unattainable. I have worked a lot to get here. I thought that if I didn’t make it to the World Cup, I had to go to the Africa Cup. It went well and here I am”, added.

During the group stage, just He played 16 minutes in the Senegal jersey in the first match, which was a 2-0 defeat against the Netherlands, and he stayed the whole game on the bench against Qatar y Ecuador, as in the round of 16 match against England. “My goal is to ever win a World Cup, an African Cup, a Champions… I am very focused on my team and my club. I want to become one of the best players in the world. Compete with the best and win the best teams. When I was little, I didn’t know this was a possibility,” complete.

The dream of meeting Neymar, Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo

Nico Jackson was nicknamed as the Senegalese Neymar, although now prefers to be called by name or as Black Mamba. In addition, he assured that she would have loved to cross paths Qatar World Cup 2022 with the Brazilian crack, although “Also with Messi. We can cross paths with Cristiano Ronaldo, but we’re on the other side of the box and I’d like to see both of them”, he told Relay. In Villarreal share campus with Geronimo Rulli and John Foythsummoned by Lionel Scaloniy Young Lo Celsowho missed the World Cup due to injury. “I always joked with my Spanish teammates in the Villarreal locker room. I told them that Senegal and Spain were going to play a final and that we were going to win. I would like to face them. I also joked with my Argentine teammates. If I measure myself at Argentina, I told Rulli that I was marking him. I congratulated everyone on qualifying, but at the moment we are rivals and there aren’t many messages, ha”he concluded.