Australian goal scorer was born as a refugee and spent time at Bayern

Australia and Turkey are facing each other in the early hours of this Sunday (14), in a game valid for the first round of Group D of the 2026 World Cup. Striker Nestory Irankunda scored a great goal and put the Australians ahead in the 27th minute of the match.

Midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler hit a beautiful ball for Irankunda, who accelerated, dribbled around the marker and finished in the corner. This is the 20-year-old striker's first participation in World Cups.

Australian players celebrating the goal against Turkey, in the first round game of the World Cup - Stu Forster/Getty Images
He was born in a refugee camp located in the city of Kigoma, Tanzania. His family is from Burundi and fled the country due to a civil war that lasted more than a decade. They moved to Perth, Australia, before arriving in Adelaide, where the athlete began his professional career.

After standing out for Adelaide United, a club where he played for the first team at the age of 15, Irankunda transferred to Bayern Munich. He reinforced the base of the German club and also played for the B team, which competes in the fourth national division.

After a loan to Swiss football, Nestory Irankunda was bought by Watford, from England, his current team. Last season, the Australian scored four goals and five assists in 42 matches played.

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Source: CNN