Enzo Duarte is all the rage in Borussia Dortmund circles right now. Since making his explosive debut on 18 July against RW Oberhausen in their first preseason clash, the 17-year-old has constantly been making a case to become a first-team regular with his promising displays.
Born in January 2009, Duarte joined Dortmund's youth academy last year from Luxembourg side Swift Hesperange as the young gun turned down offers from many other clubs. Since then, he continued his development into a rising young star with his playmaking skills.
Head coach Niko Kovac called him up to his preseason squad this summer and Duarte wasted no time in proving his value, making a fabulous assist for Serhou Guirassy's goal after coming off the bench in the second half.
Although he hasn't registered another direct goal contribution since, the 17-year-old has featured for Dortmund in their next three friendly matches too and given a good account of himself with his forward forays and devastating link-up plays.
Reports have now emerged that Duarte is ranked ahead of Mussa Kaba within the BVB squad. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, the former will remain in the extended first-team squad for now and will soon be integrated into Kovac's senior team as the season progresses.
It further stated that Dortmund are set to offer him a long-term contract of four to five years. As for Kaba, the German has suffered multiple injury bouts lately which seem to have hampered his time on the field and his progress with the club's youth side.
Born in Bielefeld, Kaba joined the youth academy of Dortmund in 2025 and helped the under-17 side win the league title. However, recurring injuries kept him from breaking into the senior team and has also missed the ongoing preseason campaign as Kovac overlooked him during squad selection.
He is currently said to be working his way back to fitness and following an individual rehabilitation program away from the group training as Dortmund is approaching his case with great care while remaining cautious against putting any work load on him.
But for now, Duarte has gone ahead of him in the pecking order and will be getting more chances with the senior team in their upcoming 2026-27 campaign while Kaba hopes to return to fine fettle again soon and resume regular duties with the youth side.
Borussia Dortmund play Arsenal on Sunday, 9 August with Enzo Duarte likely to be in matchday squad although with more first team players available for selection here, he may have to be content with a place on the bench.
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