The Remarkable Journey of Zeki Amdouni: Unveiling the Extraordinary Path to Success at Burnley

Last season, StatsBomb conducted a search for Under-24 players in Europe who exhibited the most comparable performance to Lionel Messi. In this pursuit, they identified Xavi Simons, a talented graduate of Barcelona's renowned academy, La Masia, as well as Zeki Amdouni, who recently joined Burnley during the summer transfer window.

"I have a deep admiration for Messi, he is my favorite player," Amdouni reveals during our conversation secluded in a cozy room within Burnley's training facility.

Being compared to him is a significant matter. Like me, he is a creative player who constantly seeks the ball and excels in the false nine or even the number 10 position. This style represents my own expression of creativity.

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Upon the announcement of his move from FC Basel, Marca, a Spanish publication, boldly proclaimed 'Burnley secures the signature of the Swiss Messi'. This comparison would have been deemed inconceivable a mere four years ago, when Amdouni plied his trade in the Swiss fourth division, a stark contrast to the achievements of the seven-time Ballon d'Or victor.

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Amdouni scored seven goals en route to reaching the Europa Conference League semi-final with Basel last season

Amdouni, who was the leading scorer in the previous season's Europa Conference League, has risen from relative anonymity and is currently leaving his mark in the highest echelon. Despite his outstanding performance for Basel last season, the 22-year-old remains unfamiliar to many fans throughout the UK.

For those who enjoy browsing the app formerly known as Twitter, you may have come across him in Teletubbyland during the summer. Burnley's social media team, known for their frequent and imaginative transfer announcement videos, introduced Amdouni as a new signing with the assistance of Tinky Winky and the other characters from the show.

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Amdouni, unlike Aaron Ramsey, did not receive the Barbie treatment, but he has the potential to be a momentous signing for Burnley. En route to the Conference League, his seven goals propelled Basel close to their first European final since 1974, only to suffer a heartbreaking defeat against Fiorentina in the second leg of last season's semi-final, conceding in stoppage-time of extra-time.

Nottingham Forest

Burnley

Monday 18th September 6:30pm

Kick off 7:45pm

Following his exclusion from the Swiss World Cup squad, the forward experienced a remarkable surge in form. During this time, he scored an impressive total of 17 goals in 27 matches across domestic and European competitions, a tally surpassed only by Erling Haaland and Gift Orban among U23 players.

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Amdouni is smoothly adapting to life in England, his first experience playing outside of Switzerland. The presence of French speakers has greatly facilitated his acclimation process. "It has been quite effortless," he remarks. "I am fond of the location and the people. The only aspect I would mention is the rather chilly weather."

The international break prevented the forward, who was born in Geneva, from enjoying the rare September heatwave in the North-West. However, when he sat down with We before Burnley's Monday Night Football match against Nottingham Forest, the typical grey skies had returned.

Amdouni has yet to replicate his goal-scoring performance from last season in the Premier League. He has been unable to score in Burnley's three losses against Man City, Aston Villa, and Tottenham. However, we witnessed a glimpse of his talent in the Carabao Cup when he came off the bench and scored a late goal against Forest, securing Burnley's place in the third round.

Amdouni's goal showcased his exceptional instinct. In the 90th minute, he skillfully infiltrated the box, eluding the Forest defence. With composure, Amdouni controlled the ball on his chest under pressure and unleashed a powerful volley into the back of the net. It was a remarkable first goal for the club, particularly in front of the dedicated away fans. Expectations are high for a similar performance at the City Ground on Monday night.

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Zeki is an incredible force upfront, posing a constant threat to opposition defenses. His exceptional vision enables him to consistently deliver precise final passes, resulting in numerous assists. Furthermore, his relentless work rate on the field allows him to frequently find the back of the net himself. With remarkable football intelligence and exceptional technical abilities, Zeki truly stands out as a gifted player. Undoubtedly, he is a remarkable talent.

Vincent Kompany on Amdouni:

Despite facing setbacks, Amdouni's journey to this point was not always certain. At the young age of 13, he was let go by Servette, a prominent Swiss team, and had to navigate his way through the lower leagues. Reflecting on that challenging period, Amdouni acknowledges it as a true trial that reignited his determination.

"It hasn't been easy for me. Being dumped is a big deal when you are a young player. From that point on it became my goal to succeed and I had something to prove. It drove me forward."

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Amdouni spent the next few years at Meyrin, a lesser-known club, before finally establishing himself at Etoile Carouge, a lower-level team. They provided him with the opportunity he needed to compete in professional football. He gradually progressed through the ranks, representing Stade Lausanne Ouchy and then Lausanne-Sport - one of the clubs owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe - before Basel secured him on a two-year loan.

Basel, impressed by his performances last season, decided to exercise their option to permanently transfer him for €4m in the summer, a year earlier than originally planned. They were aware that it was just a matter of time before European clubs would show interest in their highly-talented forward.

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Amdouni emerged as the leading goal scorer in the Europa Conference League during the previous season. Despite facing obstacles along the way, he never lost confidence in his ability to fulfill his dream. "Throughout my journey, even during the toughest moments, I held onto a steadfast belief that I would succeed," he asserts. "I was determined to become a professional footballer, regardless of the challenges I encountered."

Having experienced a rapid rise in his career over the past year, the 22-year-old has had to be patient. "The qualities I possess today have always been there," he asserts. "I haven't changed. However, I have developed both physically and mentally as a player. This unconventional journey has taught me the importance of patience above all else. I had to wait for opportunities to arise. If you constantly rush, expecting immediate success, it can be challenging."

Having achieved success, Amdouni now possesses a sense of perspective, which has kept him grounded amidst increasing hype. Swiss public broadcaster RTS dubbed him the "X factor" of the national team prior to the recent international break. However, he dismisses any notion that he is Switzerland's new star player.

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Amdouni is one of the leading goal scorers in the Euro qualifying matches. When asked about his role in the Swiss squad, he humbly stated that while he has demonstrated good qualities and performed well, he wouldn't consider himself a star player. He acknowledged that there are teammates with greater game experience than him and emphasized the importance of focusing on personal growth and seeing what lies ahead in the future.

Amdouni's reputation in Switzerland is well-deserved as they currently lead Group I in Euro 2024 qualifiers, largely thanks to his impressive record of five goals in six games. He finds himself in third place in the scoring charts, alongside renowned players Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane. The upcoming Euro 2024 tournament may bring about an exciting showdown between Amdouni and these football giants. Don't miss the live broadcast of Nottingham Forest vs Burnley on Monday Night Football, exclusively on We Premier League. Coverage starts at 6.30pm, with kick-off at 7.45pm.