Suddenly everyone wanted to know who that young Belgian in La Liga was.
Goals against Real Madrid and Sevilla in August kick-started Largie Ramazani’s career. VI even renamed the fast winger “the new Eden Hazard that nobody knows”.
He laughs himself when we present him with his new nickname. But when asked whether he can follow in the footsteps of the experienced Red Devil, it sounds fearless: “Why not?”
More than a month after his goal against the Royal, Ramazani is still enjoying it out loud: “The moment I saw the ball hit the net, I thought of nothing,” says the promise international. “It only started to seep through after the game what I had done. Since then, more and more people know who I am. That gives me a good feeling.”
Back to that comparison with Hazard – it’s not completely illogical. Because Ramazani is also a dribble ass who seems to frolic across the field. “He’s one of my idols and I like his playing style,” Ramazani laughs. “What Hazard does, I also want to show on the turf.”
So there is no lack of self-confidence. His early move abroad may have something to do with that. At the age of 12, Ramazani traded Anderlecht for… Charlton. Still an unusual transfer.
“It was a very difficult decision,” he recalls. “But as a child I always dreamed of playing abroad. It wasn’t always easy, but I’m happy with the choice I made and the road I traveled.”
In 2018, Ramazani suddenly took a big step higher with a transfer to Manchester United. As a youngster, the forward looked up to Academy stars like Pogba, Lingard and Rashford. Apart from a debut in the Europa League against Astana, the young Belgian would never claim playing minutes.
A new switch was inevitable.
This time a much more southern adventure beckoned. Ramazani moved to Spanish second-class Almeria. “That may seem like a strange choice,” he says. “But I wanted to prove to everyone that I had what it takes to break through.”
And it worked. With 8 goals, the winger helped Almeria to the title in the Spanish second division last season. This year he continues the line in the Primera Division.
Tonight he can finally show himself in his own country with the Belgian promises.
The Belgian promises will play their practice match against the Netherlands at 6.30 pm in preparation for the European U21 Championship.
