Obafemi has already visualised the moment — and how he will celebrate. SunSport's chief sports writer Neil O'Riordan noted how Obafemi is the first of the 'new Irish' to pull on the green jersey. Michael Obafemi is recounting a boat trip on the Solent with Ralph Hasenhuttl when a hooded figure appears at the window. He does more stretching and more running. ‘I’ll never forget that day,’ he reflects. At 18 years and 169 days old, that made him the youngest Premier League scorer in the history of his club and country. The staff won, and on this day the prankster gets his way, too. However, with Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah with the seniors this time around and Troy Parrott injured, Obafemi has a chance to make a name for himself at Under-21s level on Tuesday as Ireland attempt to ease their way closer to qualification against Italy in Pisa. ‘He still has a lack of professionalism in his whole life,’ Hasenhuttl said. ‘When I was sprinting, she was like: “Is it a bird? Michael Obafemi has set his sights on emulating the best to have come out of Southampton. ‘He likes sailing,’ the young forward begins. And with good reason. Home » Soccer » Saints starlet Obafemi dreams of emulating Bale and Oxlade-Chamberlain. For Obafemi, that also means his displays for Saints acting as a springboard to the world stage. For context, when Dina Asher-Smith broke her own British Championship record back in August, she ran 10.96sec. Members Profile. Quote Reply Topic: Michael Obafemi Posted: 30 Aug 2017 at 12:17am: ... has he a younger brother ,Aaron,about 11...formerly of C Orchard? It was a huge win for us. In the 19-year-old’s short senior career, Redmond has become something of a mentor and older brother. The whole family is waiting for that elusive first goal in front of the St Mary’s crowd. gmfc90 . ‘Obviously I want to get consistent performances here to make sure I can get back in the (Ireland) squad,’ he says. Now, his focus is on cementing a place in Saints’ starting eleven — and satisfying his most dedicated fans. Michael Obafemi has been challenged to prove he can hack it in both international and Premier League football by firing Ireland into the European Under-21 … It was Obafemi’s second Premier League goal — and his first for more than a year. ‘He’s been a big influence on my career. I used to just turn up,’ admits Obafemi. In his mid-teens he was crowned the fastest boy in his borough with a time of 10.8 seconds. ‘Hopefully go to the Euro 2020 play-offs and potentially even be a hero.’. I’d use it all the time and then just blow up.’. Jim Crawford has named a 22-man squad for Ireland’s key under-21 qualifier in Italy this month. Find Members Posts. Obafemi, who is not 20 until July, has always been in a hurry. Stephen Kenny has named his second squad as Ireland senior manager and the question of whether to play Seamus Coleman or Matt Doherty has reared its head again. “Michael’s bubbly anyway, that’s his nature, but when it’s come to training sessions, he’s very effective and he’s looking forward to the challenge. If they can do it, why not me?’, Obafemi revealed that Nathan Redmond has become a mentor and a brother to him, The 19-year-old pictured celebrating his first Premier League goal with Redmond (R) in 2018, Now the forward, who stopped playing for a year after being released by Watford, stands among them. The new feature was revealed at a virtual ... Maguire and Greenwood miss out through injury and Cavani needs ... Eriksen, Zabaleta and Ings are all being talked about on Tuesday. After all, recent football history is littered with speedy players such as Michael Owen whose careers were derailed by repeated muscle injuries. The Oscar-nominated actress was forced to delay her wedding due to the pandemic. Obafemi has moved out of club digs to a flat where he lives alone and cooks occasionally. The Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals both recorded wins on Monday night. ‘So we went sailing as a team.’ Staff versus players, it was an attempt by Southampton’s manager to build morale and unity among his squad. The striker scored a stunner to help Southampton down Chelsea last month away from home. 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Obafemi is yet to score at St Mary’s but has already planned his celebration for when he does, He also spoke about trying to satisfy his most dedicated fans – his mother and brother, ‘We’ve stuck together, kept spirits high and focused on ourselves,’ Obafemi reveals. Results have picked up in recent weeks, with victory over Spurs on New Year’s Day taking Saints towards mid-table thanks to 10 points from four games. Ireland find themselves top of their qualifying group with just three matches to go and a win away in Italy would basically secure them a spot in the tournament for the first time ever. He grew up in London, but his international future lies with his birthplace, Ireland. Last month, however, the Saints boss warned his young charge that the road remains long. The Irish Government is set to introduce ... Mr Trump said he was “running angry” as the US election draws closer. ‘I think that’s when I knew I was fast.’. TV schedule, start time for Sunday’s race at Kansas, Dale Earnhardt Jr. announces birth of second child, shares sweet story of sibling love, Sonic Automotive CEO David Bruton Smith accused of strangling woman, Steven McCann’s journey from addiction to reigniting his love for tennis, Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher urges Jurgen Klopp to wreck Man Utd plan with January bid, Four free agents Liverpool could sign as centre-back cover after Virgil van Dijk ACL blow, Zeke on Dallas loss: ‘I’m sorry; this one is on me’. Saints are ‘trying’ to get him to eat more vegetables and on the training pitch Obafemi is learning from the likes of Danny Ings and Shane Long. Michael Obafemi has been challenged to prove he can hack it in both international and Premier League football by firing Ireland into the European Under-21 Championship finals. ‘I’m still young, I still need to learn certain stuff.’. He would pick up injuries, too. The highly-rated Southampton striker came on as a late substitute in tonight's 0-0 stalemate - having pledged his allegiance to the country of his birth last week. Michael Obafemi’s international future could be set in stone before the Southampton striker's club career really gets going. ‘I remember when I was at nursery all the other kids used to ride bicycles around, but I just sprinted round in circles,’ he says. The 20-year-old striker, who made his Ireland debut as a substitute in Denmark almost two years ago, was disappointed not to be included in Stephen Kenny’s first senior squad last month and has had to make due with just two brief appearances as a substitute for Southampton so far this season. Michael Obafemi challenged to prove he can hack it for club and country ... Big Brother: All-Stars cast revealed as new season begins Latest Good Morning Britain Stories. He wasn't alone in his football journey as older brother Abdou Diallo, who now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, was also at the club when Ibrahima joined. In the 19-year-old’s short senior career, Redmond has become something of a mentor and older brother. It is testament to the Saints’ medical staff and Obafemi’s determination that his career is back on track. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Another stalemate means Ireland have not scored in four games – the longest goalless streak in 22 years. Michael Obafemi's player data and stats, clubs's career, teammates, family, transfers, titles won Is it a plane? ‘To be fair my mum actually does. That was until football became his sole focus. ‘Is this going to carry on happening?’. But this is the lane he has chosen and there is wind in his sails once more. Michael Obafemi of Ireland with his mother Bola and brother Affy Credit: Sportsfile 3 Obafemi's proud mother and brother look on from the stands Credit: Sportsfile The youngster is taking special measures to protect his body after injuries stalled his progress, Although he admits he is still a kid, Obafemi believes he has done some growing up recently, ‘Obviously it was in my mind,’ Obafemi admits. No it’s Michael Obafemi!”‘, Gareth Bale came through Southampton’s academy before going on to play for Real Madrid, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another high achiever to have come out of Saints’ youth system. He advises the Republic of Ireland international on ‘simple stuff,’ such as where he should be on the pitch and what he should eat off it. ‘To get such an important goal for the team was incredible. His speciality? "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Manager Jim Crawford said: “I had a long conversation with Michael and he was great. He advises the Republic of Ireland international on ‘simple stuff,’ such as where he should be on the pitch and what he should eat off it. 12/10/2020 - 16:18:00Back to Soccer Sport Home. ‘I just thought: this is the club for me. Cameras captured the debutant shared an emotional embrace with his mother Bola at Ceres Park in heartwarming scenes after the game. Michael Obafemi is recounting a boat trip on the Solent with Ralph Hasenhuttl when a hooded figure appears at the window. I still am but then I didn’t really know when to use my speed. Add to Buddy List. She says, “Come on Michael, come on, shoot or something” and I’m like “Yeah, mum, I’m trying!”‘. 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