Kevin Betsy recalls Folarin Balogun perfecting his iconic goal-scoring style from a young age. Betsy worked with Balogun as head coach of Arsenal’s under-23s and in the England youth setup. Balogun, raised in east London but born in Brooklyn, New York, has been a standout player for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in the World Cup. His performance includes scoring two goals in a 4-1 victory against Paraguay and playing a crucial role in a win against Australia.
Balogun’s journey hit a turning point when a controversial VAR decision led to his sending off. However, a suspension was overturned after intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump and other officials. Balogun’s life story includes being born in the U.S. because his pregnant mother, Florence, was unable to fly back to London.
Despite representing England at youth levels, Balogun chose the USMNT for his international career in May 2023. His career with Arsenal began at age 10, although his first trial did not result in a contract. Balogun’s persistence paid off, leading him to excel in Arsenal’s youth teams, scoring 25 goals in 19 appearances for the under-18s during the 2018-19 season.
Progressing to Arsenal’s under-23 side, he continued to score freely and eventually joined the first team. Despite struggling to secure a regular starting spot, Balogun showed promise with two goals in five Europa League appearances.
Kevin Betsy emphasizes the importance of Balogun’s continued development, which included a loan to Middlesbrough. Although adapting to a tough division was challenging, teammates recognized his finishing ability and potential. Balogun used this period to focus on psychological aspects of the game, evident from his reading choices during travel.
Balogun’s journey took an international turn with a successful loan to Reims in Ligue 1, under manager Will Still. Balogun scored 21 goals in 37 matches, showcasing his adaptability and growth after a challenging start.
After Reims, he decided to represent the U.S. in May 2023, inspired by support from U.S. fans and fellow national team players like Christian Pulisic. His mother’s belief in his American roots added to this decision.
Balogun transferred to Monaco in August 2023 for €40 million, continuing to seek advice from Thierry Henry. In Monaco, he faced challenges including injury and penalty misses but finished with a strong scoring run.
During his youth, Balogun represented England at the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, learning valuable lessons through successes and setbacks, such as a penalty miss in the semi-final against the Netherlands.