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Who Is Max Dowman? The 16-Year-Old Arsenal Wonderkid Already Compared to Messi
A debut that already has people talking across England. At just 16 years old, an Arsenal wonderkid made his Premier League entrance and produced a moment that sparked bold comparisons.
A debut that shook the Premier League
The name Max Dowman quickly began trending across England after his stunning debut with Arsenal in the Premier League. At just 16 years old, the teenager entered the match in the 75th minute with the score locked at 0-0.
The game looked destined to end in a draw until Viktor Gyökeres broke the deadlock in the 89th minute, opening the match dramatically. Everton pushed everyone forward in search of an equalizer, even sending all their players into the box for a late corner.
That moment turned into a devastating counterattack for the Gunners. Dowman carried the ball forward, gliding past defenders before finishing the move with composure to score a goal he will never forget — the first of his professional Premier League career and the decisive 2-0 for Arsenal.
John Terry compares him to Lionel Messi
Reactions came quickly, but one of the most striking comments arrived from John Terry, the legendary former Chelsea captain, who was clearly impressed by the teenager’s talent.
“Max Dowman, what a player. He’s 16 years old. Absolutely incredible,” Terry said, recalling that he had seen the youngster play before.
The former defender even explained what surprised him the most about Dowman’s playing style.
“I saw him play against Chelsea about a year ago and I hadn’t seen anyone glide between players like that other than Messi.”
Terry acknowledged that the comparison with Lionel Messi is massive, but insisted the young English player is a genuine talent who could play a major role in the future of Arsenal and the England national team.
A style that also reminds some of Kaká
Respected football journalist Henry Winter also praised the youngster, though he urged patience with the excitement surrounding his early breakthrough.
According to Winter, it is already clear that Dowman possesses something special, but the key will be allowing his potential to develop naturally over time.
The analyst even pointed out another interesting comparison from world football. Winter believes there is a hint of Kaká in the way Dowman carries the ball forward with elegance and deceptive speed, gliding across the pitch with remarkable ease.
Could he play the World Cup with England?
Dowman’s impact has been so significant that some fans have already begun wondering whether England coach Thomas Tuchel could consider him for the World Cup.
However, most experts believe such a move would be premature. Many still remember the case of Theo Walcott, who was famously called up for the 2006 World Cup at just 17 years old.
For now, the plan at Arsenal seems clear: allow the young talent to continue developing step by step. But if performances like this continue, Max Dowman may soon become one of the most exciting prospects in European football.
