The limelight has never left Roony Bardghji’s side.
After scoring the winning goal against Manchester United in the group stage, the young right winger will pose a significant threat as Manchester City travel to FC Copenhagen for the opening leg of their Champions League last-16 contest on Tuesday at 20:00 GMT.
The 18-year-old, who goes by the name “Roony,” has had a very busy life.
He was born in Kuwait to Syrian parents; he and his brother and mother relocated to Sweden when he was six years old; he eventually reconnected with his father. Kallinge SK, Rodeby AIF, Malmo, and Copenhagen were all stops on his football career path.
Lots of people in Scandinavia knew about him by the time the relocation was finalized on his fifteenth birthday. Twelve goals in forty-nine league games since then have provided the evidence.
“He is the ceiling’s height.”
As Roony’s fame grew during his youth, he had to remain grounded if he wanted to continue making strides.
“He had a very humble approach to all the things he did, in his work ethic every day,” says Jeffrey Aubynn, who now heads up Malmo’s scouting network and was Roony’s coach for the under-19s, in an interview with BBC Sport.
On the field, he shown a strong belief in his abilities. That combination, together with his extensive technical toolkit, really caught my attention.
He left Malmo to play in the Champions League, and since then, his development has been steady. Only he can tell how high his ceiling is.
Despite his young age, Roony is accustomed to playing at a high level. Between the ages of 10 and 13, he played for a small club called Rodeby, which was six hours away from his house. He quickly became the undisputed star on the pitch, but what really made an impression was his determination to achieve.
“When Roony started training with us, he was a little chubby kid with a passion for football,” recalls Fredrik Akesson, Roony’s current coach.
He made friends easily on the squad since he was a laid-back man who was cheerful and kind at all times. We were a team that trained more than others, and he knew it was for the right reasons. He was also aware that our team had the most matches and tournament appearances of any Swedish squad.
Among teams our age, we were among the top performers. Something spectacular—a brilliant play, a chic assist, or a magnificent goal—occurred every time Roony had the ball.
Even on a team with players who were four or five years his senior, he would make an impression. It was at that point that his capacity to excel became apparent. He was our deciding factor in a number of championship and pivotal matches. When we competed in bigger events in Sweden, a lot of agents were keeping tabs on him.
“When Roony had the ball, incredible things would happen.”
After that, he joined Malmo, a major club in Sweden. However, his reputation was growing across Scandinavia, so he was soon courted again.
He was highly domineering at Rodeby, so we were aware of him before he arrived. “In that setting, he was noticeable,” Aubynn explains. He can play both ends of the ice and even against other teams in a one-on-one matchup. In his pursuit of the objective and potential means of completion, he is forthright.
The intention was to retain him. The best we could do was lay out a course of action and share our ideas for his time with our club. Football is a game that can break a relationship. I hope everything works out for him in Copenhagen.
Everyone in Denmark knew how big of a deal it was to sign Roony. Many considered it a watershed event for FC Copenhagen.
“When he was 14 or 15, many knew he was special,” recalls Danish journalist Nicklas Degn. He was approached frequently beginning at a young age. For FC Copenhagen, it was a publicity coup to sign such a famous player. Many saw it as FC Copenhagen establishing themselves as Scandinavia’s preeminent club.
For a right winger who can defend a variety of offensive positions, he’s practically perfect. When it comes to Scandinavian talent, Roony is unrivaled.
“A fantastic Premier League club will sign him.”
He scored just one week after making his debut in 2021, making him the youngest player in Copenhagen’s history at the age of sixteen. He may be headed for the Premier League in the future, since rumours have circulated linking him to nearly every major European team.
“He has justified the hype and his potential is difficult to understate,” says Degn. His next stop will be with a legendary Premier League team. Because he is so comparable to Mohamed Salah, he would be a good fit for a side that has a lot of possession, such as Liverpool or Manchester City.
In times of creative crisis or team unlocking, Copenhagen turns to Roony. He possesses a special ability.
City must remain vigilant in their pursuit of a player who is not hesitant to put them in their defensive positions through deft dribbling and quick footwork.
“What stands out the most to me is his use of the body,” adds Akesson. He has a knack for putting his opponents in uncomfortable circumstances by tricking them with his body language before the ball reaches his foot.
He possesses a remarkable talent for bringing his opponents off balance, which he then uses to dribble or fake past them when he gets the ball. When defenders attempt to tackle him, he just uses his body to get out of a jam faster.
Above all else, though, Roony has not overestimated his abilities. With the goal of becoming a full-fledged Sweden international, he has additional levels to reach.
Being modest is important. According to Aubynn, there are many of examples of talented people who achieve early success but then lose sight of the road ahead. “It is always a journey and it is about how good you are at taking the right steps.”
Even though Roony is only at the beginning of his trip, he is already proving that he belongs on the grandest stage.
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