'Messi, Neymar, Yamal level talent' - Arsenal fans left 'speechless' by Max Dowman after 15-year-old impresses against Newcastle
Dowman won the deciding penalty
Arteta called youngster's performance 'special'
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
Dowman entered the game with the scores level on the hour mark. The 15-year-old showed remarkable confidence, routinely picking up the ball and driving at the heart of the Newcastle defence. He drew two smart saves out of Nick Pope, and John Ruddy, before cannily drawing a foul from Joelinton inside his own penalty area. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard dispatched the ensuing spot kick, earning Arsenal the victory in an exciting game in Singapore.
WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
Supporters PatrickTimmons1, perhaps somewhat sarcastically, compared the 15-year-old to the GOAT. Posting on X: "Lionel Messi, I hope you enjoyed your time as the greatest football of all time because Max Dowman is here now.
Another fan, 2SAFC invoked Messi's name as well as comparing Dowman to Lamine Yamal, writing: "Another win for #Arsenal. 🔴⚪️ Two games, Two wins. ✨Max Dowman, Ill let him do the talking, in my opinion... The next Lionel Messi, all for Lamine Yamal succeeding but this guy is 15, and arguably his level. ⚡️"
FTProgression added: "Max Dowman.... I am speechless. This is a Messi, Neymar, Yamal level talent."
And EduardoHagn also joined in with a similar post: "MAX DOWMAN WTF. He's like Yamal. He's like Messi. He wins a penalty for Arsenal."
WHAT ARTETA IS SAYING
Mikel Arteta was effusive in his praise of the youngster after the final whistle. He called the 15-year-old "special", and heralded the work of Dowman's "family, the people at the club, and around the academy" in getting the player ready for his chance in the first team.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
It is telling that Arteta called on Dowman to replace Bukayo Saka, as the Arsenal manager tended towards his more senior players in this fixture. There were starting spots for fellow teenagers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, but given their heavy involvement in the 2024/25 campaign, their inclusion was a given. Andre Harriman-Annous and Marli Ellis Salmon eventually made their way on to the pitch, but Dowman's 30-minute cameo could be a sign that Arteta intends to include the winger in his first-team plans going forward.
WHAT NEXT FOR DOWMAN?
The 15-year-old can continue to grow his standing with his teammates and coaches in the remainder of Arsenal's pre-season. The Gunners head to Hong Kong for a north London derby with Tottenham, before returning to the Emirates for games against Villarreal and Athletic Club.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Niemann breezes to fifth LIV Golf success of season
Joaquin Niemann captured his fifth victory of the season with a three- stroke win at LIV Golf United Kingdom. Niemann carded a three-under 68 on Sunday to finish with a 17-under 196 for the tournament at the JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, England. The Torque GC captain collected five birdies against two bogeys to add his to his titles at Adelaide, Singapore, Mexico City and Virginia. Sunday's victory served as a $4 million payday for Niemann, who began the week by firing his caddie and coach after missing the cut at the 2025 Open Championship. .@joaconiemann wins for the 5th time this season🏆👏#LIVGolfUK @TorqueGC_ — LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) July 27, 2025 Niemann's Torque GC, however, were unable to hold their three-stroke lead over Legion XIII in their bid for a first team title since 2023. Legion XIII shot a staggering 14-under on Sunday to finish at 35-under for the tournament, eight strokes better than Torque GC. Niemann wasn't too interested in talking about his individual play on Sunday. He said: "Well, I'm going to talk for the first two days because today I didn't feel like I had my best. Yeah, it was great. I was able to flow on tough situations. "I felt like today I was pretty calm, pretty chill, until Bubba (Watson) started playing golf. He made it tough for me. I was actually feeling the pressure on 13, 14, but, yeah, just stay in the present. Yeah, was able to hit a great shot on 15. After that put me back into my place." Watson had a stretch of four birdies and two eagles from No.9 to No.14. He rolled in six birdies overall to finish in second place at 14-under after a third-round 65. .@joaconiemann made the shot on 15 when it mattered most 🙌#LIVGolfUK @torquegc_ — LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) July 27, 2025 Niemann put a halt to his charge after sending a shot within five feet of the cup on the 15th hole. "I was pretty happy to see that ball go in that close, and making that birdie I think was huge for the next three holes," he said. Caleb Surratt (65 on Sunday) sank six birdies during his bogey-free round to finish at 13-under for the tournament, followed by Talor Gooch (66) at 11-under. As for team play, Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm was thrilled after his team captured their fourth title of the season. "With all four scores counting this year I thought we played to our advantage. It showed early on and it's showing now," Rahm said. Cameron Smith was the highest placed Australian, finishing 10th, nine shots off the lead. Marc Leishman was a shot behind with Lucas Herbert 34th and Matt Jones 40th.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chargers lock in Rashawn Slater with a multi-year extension
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday agreed to a multi-year contract extension with left tackle Rashawn Slater, keeping him as Justin Herbert's protector. Slater has started all 52 games at left tackle since being chosen 13th overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Northwestern. Last season, he started 16 games including the postseason, as the Chargers' offense committed eight turnovers — the fewest in franchise history and tied for the second-fewest offensive turnovers in a single season in NFL history. As a rookie in 2021, Slater was a second-team All-Pro after leading a front that protected for the No. 4-ranked total offense in the NFL (390.2 yards per game) as Herbert threw for an AFC-best 32 touchdowns. Slater was also named the starting left tackle for the AFC in the Pro Bowl, becoming the first rookie tackle to do so since 2012. ___ AP NFL: The Associated Press
Forbes
36 minutes ago
- Forbes
Women's Sport Is Delivering For Fans. Now It's Delivering For Business, Too
Millions await the players of England's victorious team - and about time too! Chloe Kelly of England ... More celebrates with the UEFA Women's EURO trophy after her team's victory in the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park on July 27, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Molly Darlington - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) England's Lionesses are champions once again. A dramatic penalty shootout in Basel secured their second consecutive UEFA Women's Euro title, this time defeating the reigning world champions, Spain. It was a historic win. But while the nation celebrated the result, another equally significant shift was underway: women's football is no longer just delivering for fans, it's clear it is delivering for business too. This tournament was not a campaign about potential. It was a fully formed commercial product. A live demonstration of what happens when talent is properly supported - players truly live their values, audiences are given access, and brands approach women's sport not as a side project, but as a serious investment. As someone who has spent 15 years supporting across every level of women's sport, from championing grassroots access to advising major global brands and retailers on this opportunity, I've long argued that women's sport isn't a PR play. It's a commercial opportunity hiding in plain sight. And this summer, the viewing numbers finally caught up with the belief. England's win wasn't just a sporting success. It delivered some of the strongest business metrics we've seen in sport this year: record TV audiences in the UK, significant increases in merchandise sales, and a projected £800 million in wider economic impact. But perhaps most tellingly, sponsors involved in the tournament are reporting significantly higher consumer affinity than their equivalents in the men's game. This shift has been years in the making. Brands like EA Sports, PlayStation, Heineken, and Just Eat have all backed the Lionesses with increasing levels of uplift and success. Meanwhile, newer partners like Volkswagen have supported the UEFA Women's EURO games in line with the work in diversity. Christine Wolburg, Chief Brand Officer of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, explains: "The promotion of women's football and women in football are central to our commitment to female empowerment and equality in sport. For many years, we have been committed to this with deep conviction and on a broad corporate basis, both nationally and internationally. Sponsoring UEFA Women's EURO this summer is therefore a further commitment to visibility, fairness and real participation." These partnerships are no longer symbolic. They are strategic. And the women's game is evolving just as rapidly off the pitch as it is on it. Players today are not only exceptional athletes, they're commercial catalysts. No one exemplifies that better right now than Michelle Agyemang. Princely sponsorships await: Prince William, Prince of Wales, shakes hands with Michelle Agyemang of ... More England after the team's victory in the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park on July 27, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by) At just 19 years old, Agyemang emerged as the breakout star of the tournament. Until this month, she had only 14 minutes of senior international football. But by the final whistle in Basel, she had become Player of the Tournament, scoring crucial goals, handling media appearances with composure, and embodying the authenticity that consumers increasingly demand. Born in South Ockendon, of Ghanaian descent, and a lifelong Arsenal supporter, Agyemang was introduced to football through her grassroots coach father. She joined Arsenal's academy at six, initially playing in defence before developing into a dynamic forward. Her family supports a range of Premier League teams, Manchester United, Chelsea, West Ham, but she stayed loyal to the club she loved. That kind of personal story, that kind of connection to community, isn't manufactured. It's magnetic. And it's why she will become one of the most sought-after brand partners of her generation. But Agyemang is just one example. The wider value proposition of women's football lies in its depth, its ability to connect. Audiences believe in these players not just because they're talented, but because they represent something real. In a crowded, sometimes cynical marketing environment, that kind of trust is priceless. BASEL, SWITZERLAND - JULY 27: Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton of England, Lucy Bronze of England, Niamh ... More Charles of England, Keira Walsh of England, Alex Greenwood of England, Leah Williamson of England, Lauren James of England, Georgia Stanway of England, Beth Mead of England, Ella Toone of England, Lauren Hemp of England, Maya Le Tissier of England, Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse of England, Grace Clinton of England, Esme Morgan of England, Jessica Carter of England, Michelle Agyemang of England, Chloe Kelly of England, Agnes Beever-Jones of England, Jessica Park of England, Goalkeeper Khiara Keating of England, Lotte Wubben-Moy of England, Alessia Russo of England and Head coach Sarina Wiegman of England celebrating their sides win after the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park on July 27, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Leiting Gao/) According to recent research from the Women's Sport Trust, fans of women's sport are more likely to take action after seeing a sponsor than fans of men's sport, whether that's seeking out more information, engaging with a campaign, or changing their purchase behaviour. And yet, brand saturation remains low. For those willing to invest now, the cut-through is unmatched. Based on the momentum already in motion, the UK women's football ecosystem, from sponsorship and media rights to merchandising and adjacent consumer spend could exceed £1 billion annually by 2030. That projection isn't rooted in hope; it's based on rising audience numbers, expanding media deals, and growing commercial appetite. This year's tournament alone generated hundreds of millions in retail and hospitality impact & that's without factoring in the halo effect across merchandise, digital content, and cultural engagement. But the question now is not whether women's football has earned its place. It has. The real question is what we do with that spotlight and how we ensure it extends far beyond major finals. This cannot be a victory moment that fades until the next tournament. The focus now must be on embedding legacy on ensuring this isn't just peak-time coverage for peak-time players, but part of a long-term commitment to women's sport at every level. From school sports to club academies, from WSL to League One, from football to rugby (Rugby Union and Rugby League) cricket and beyond the pipeline is where the real potential lies. Women's football has proven its commercial strength. But many other women's sports equally rich in talent and community, remain underexposed and underfunded. If we want to future-proof the sector, we need to broaden our lens and invest across the spectrum, not just at the summit. Brands have a real opportunity here. Not simply to be seen, but to be part of something lasting. The partnerships that will hold value are those rooted in credibility, consistency, and contribution. That could mean deeper support for training infrastructure. It could mean more year-round storytelling. It could simply mean staying present when the cameras aren't. This is the time to move from campaign to commitment. Women's football may have opened the door but if we want to see the full value of women's sport, we need to push it wider. England's win was a powerful statement. Now the responsibility and the opportunity, sits with us. This is not the end of the story. It's the start of what could be the most valuable era in the business of sport.
