A 16-year-old prodigy in an amazing interview
Helsingborg. A long summer vacation is now waiting for his peers.
Roony Bardghji is on vacation for a week – then pre-season with FC Copenhagen begins again.
– But I’m living my dream now. It’s football, the 16-year-old prodigy stated in a major interview about, among other things, the national team, the relationship with the MFF, and records.
November 2021: Youngest player to debut in the Danish League.
November 2021: Youngest scorer in the history of the Danish League.
March 2022: Youngest FC CopenhagenA player who plays in Europe.
June 2022: Youngest player ever to play for the under-21 team: 16 years and 199 days.
It’s been an intense six months for the Swedish miracle Ronnie Bardji.
– A lot happened. I am grateful for everything that happened. It’s hard work that pays off. I’m living my dream and will continue to drive, he says when Sportbladet meets him after the national team’s U21 qualifier match against Italy at Olympia in Helsingborg on Thursday night.
Did you have time to yourself?
– It’s 50/50, he smiles. I think I have it now. But at first, a lot happened at the same time.
Do you know all the records?
Sometimes I read about something new that I didn’t know. I only saw that I was the youngest in the Conference League after only two months. Then it is the first year that the tournament is held. But I think I have a good view of them now (laughs).
Do you follow what is written about you?
I try not to comprehend much of what is written. I try to use my mobile phone as little as possible.
The latter is unusual for a 16-year-old girl.
How does it feel, you say, that you are only 16 years old?
– If you ask them in the national under-21 team, everyone will probably say I have the most energy of all. Others are just sitting around and so tired but I want to create something all the time. I ask them if we should not take a turn or go shopping.
Do you feel like the least in the gang?
-yes I do. They don’t like that I have a lot of energy (laughs). They usually tease me for fun and ask me to sit down.
Born in Kuwait
Bardghji’s roots go back to Syria but he was born in Kuwait on 15 November 2005. The family came to Sweden in 2012 and received his early education in football at Blekinge (Kallinge SK and Rödeby AIF) before moving to Malmö FF Academy in 2019 until a year later he jumped to Copenhagen Football Club.
According to Extrabladet, the Danish top club has offered “a sums that go beyond all limits of what a youth contract can contain in these latitudes”. According to the newspaper, he was offered a mark in the million category and an annual salary of nearly one million crowns.
Once Rooney turned 16 last year and thus had the playing age in the Danish league, he made his debut with FFC.
Who will keep you on the ground?
– me and my father. My father, named Sameer, helps me a lot with this. It has always prepared me for the future since I was young. He always said “If this happens in three or four years, you just have to stay as calm as you can” and he gave me some examples. So I was always ready for that. That’s why I managed to deal with it.
Was there family football in the past?
– My father played at home in Syria. He has always played a lot and loves football. But in Syria, you have to start helping the family when you are young, you know.
Rooney got other terms.
– My father usually brags to his childhood friends and asks them to tell me about him. I was a little shocked when I saw him play.
Little brother also plays in FCK
Rooney still lives with his family in a house in Malmö but goes to high school in Copenhagen.
Haag has found a small apartment in Copenhagen where my brother and I can live.
How old is he?
He turns 13 in November.
Are you going to live there yourself?!
– lol! No no. My father will live there too and we will keep the house in Malmö.
The younger brother will also start attending Danish school this fall.
He will start at FCK School with his teammates.
My brother went to FCK with the same crank as Roony nearly two years ago.
So there are two Bardghji in FCK.
How is it in football?
He’s good, but he should focus better. I’ve always been focused and hated losing. He doesn’t care much. But he is young.
Yes, he is only 12 years old.
– Exactly (laughs).
What is the name of the little brother?
Ryan as a soccer player.
Is your name related to Wayne Rooney?
– No, I don’t think my father even recognized him when he gave me the name. I think he had a friend named that and he thought it was cute.
We can see some bitterness in Malmö FF supporters that Sweden’s most exciting player is not currently at the club.
– I’ve heard a little. But I also heard many good comments, that I was still there and developing.
How is your relationship with MFF today?
– Good. Not a problem. I don’t talk to anyone out there like that. But I have some connections with the coaches I’ve had with.
Robin Asterhead, who coached Bardjee for a short time in both the MFF and a few sessions at FCK and is today the head scout for the MFF, visited a training session with the U21 national team this week.
A wonderful person and coach. It was fun to see it again.
Only a week off
Have you ever thought that everything goes too fast? Are you ready to face adversity?
Adversity is part of football. I know it will happen. I’ll just be strong and deal with it. I think it’s great that he’s coming now so I can develop in this area so I know how to deal with it when it happens again in the future.
At the end of the spring, in the Danish championship series won by FCK, Bardghji had less playing time.
Did it feel like an ordeal?
– No, I wouldn’t say that. it’s normal. Not everyone can play well in all matches or start all matches. I have had many opportunities and I should not complain about anything.
When will we see you in the national team?
– As soon as possible I wish. I really want it. But I will do my best here at U21, join the team and so on.
While last night was for many in the national under-21 team, who are now a bit older, Rooney already has five years left with the oldest growing national team.
– It’s huge to be part of the U21 team, to be able to represent Sweden at this level.
What is the best in the last six months?
– Get to play the soccer team. Get to play in the park in front of our fans. It’s a dream I’ve always dreamed of. And breaking records is always fun. I won’t lie about that.
What is your next dream?
– Just to develop as much as possible. I hope to perform better next year, to score more goals and assists.
On Wednesday, the day before the U21 decision, Bardji took an online oral test in English.
– I got a B grade, he says with a satisfied, wide smile. Now everything should be ready with the school for this semester.
But while a long summer vacation awaits his classmates who have completed their first year of high school, it will only be a week off for Bridgji.
– We start again on June 20th with FCK. I’m just going home and taking it easy now.
Will you still go to school this fall?
Yes, school is important to me.
But it will be a short summer vacation?
– I’m living my dream now. It’s football! I can’t complain, says Ronnie Bardji