Ayo Akinola: "Everyone dreams of playing at the highest level, and that is in Europe"

Ayo Akinola has been on fire at the MLS is Back Tournament in Florida. The 20-year-old Toronto FC striker has scored five goals in the first three games of the tournament, including a hattrick against old rivals Montreal Impact. As a result, the striker has been the talk of the town both in Orlando and Major League Soccer. His prowess has also made him the subject of a hot debate between Canada and US supporters as Akinola is eligible to play for both countries, as well as Nigeria.

In an exclusive interview with Transfermarkt, he spoke about his good form, working with Jozy Altidore, his relationship with Canadian star Alphonso Davies and how it led to an agency switch to ATG Sports, his desire to play in the Eredivisie or the Bundesliga, and finally his market value.

“What is my secret?” Akinola thinks long and hard when he is asked about his rapid rise in form since the MLS restart. “I think just preparation,” Akinola said. “The fitness aspect, knowing that it’s going to be hot and humid and the mental aspect of it.”

The reason behind the preparation was also knowing that the MLS is Back Tournament could be a big opportunity for Akinola to show his talent. After all, Toronto flew down to Florida, knowing that they would be without star striker Altidore at the beginning of the tournament.

“When I realized that I was getting these opportunities, I just had to play the best and do everything in my power, score goals, make runs, just doing what I can do for the team. Whatever the team needs, I wanted to provide for them,” Akinola said.

Akinola on playing behind closed doors: "It is what it is; you can't control it"

The 20-year-old did just that, scoring two goals in the 2-2 draw against D.C. United and then a hattrick against rivals Montreal Impact—Akinola has now scored a goal every 53 minutes at the tournament. His three goals against Montreal, in particular, stood out even if the game was without fans in the stands.

A bittersweet moment for the striker? “In some ways, but I am also used to it, in the past I never played with fans,” Akinola said, describing the games he played for the TFC Academy. “I wish they were there, but it wasn’t a starstruck moment for me. It was just a normal game for me. But it is also bittersweet that they can’t be there to see it. I know the circumstances with the whole pandemic going on. It is what it is; you can’t control it.”

The MLS is Back Tournament is currently taking place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. Referred to as the bubble, there were initially worries about COVID19 outbreaks after both FC Dallas and Nashville SC had to withdraw due to rising case numbers. But the league has now been COVID free for some time as the bubble seems to serve its purpose. But what is life inside the bubble like for players?

“It’s been good,” Akinola said. “Definitely a surprise. There are lots of extracurricular activities that are around when you're not playing, like ping pong, volleyball, swimming. We train in the mornings; then we have lunch and dinner, there is tons of time between meals in which we can do whatever we want.” Akinola laughs when he is asked if he was ever bored down there. “Actually, no, surprisingly not.”

Akinola: "Altidore is more of a big brother to me"

The forward was then kept off the board in the final group stage game against the New England Revolution. But even in that game, Akinola created several opportunities showing the full bandwidth of his skills. Also, Akinola got to start next to US men’s national team star Altidore, an opportunity that Akinola cherished.

“For me, he's one of those players that I closely follow,” Akinola said. “A great guy, especially off the field. He is more of a big brother to me. I kind of follow him closely more than other players because we play the same position and because of how successful he was in that position. I want to replicate that, and I asked him about tips on how I can expose defenders.”

Altidore has taken Akinola under his wing too, trying to work on strengths and also giving the 20-year-old tips on how to be better on the pitch. “He told me to be patient, to stay between the defenders, to check the runs, not to run too early or too late,” Akinola said. “Wait for those key moments and wait for the ball to come and be between the defenders and the goal when it happens. That’s probably the best advice he has given me.”

It is an open secret that Akinola had an offer from Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven, but the move didn’t materialize. Altidore himself played in the Netherlands for AZ Alkmaar before he moved on to England and then returned to North America to play with Toronto FC.

“For sure,” Akinola said when asked whether he had ever talked to Altidore about heading to Europe. “Every young kid dreams of playing at the highest level, and that is in Europe. The top five leagues are the gold standard of world football, and it is an aspiration for me to be there soon. But as I said in the past, you have to control the controllables, and I can only control what I can do on the field.”

Akinola prefers move to Germany or Netherlands: "Focus on young players"

The 20-year-old, without a doubt, has the skills to play in a top European league. Fast, strong, and intelligent, Akinola has the sort of unlearnable raw skills that players need to succeed in the top leagues. But where would Akinola like to continue his career? The striker takes his time to answer the question and then finally points at Germany and the Netherlands as his ideal destinations.

“I feel like those two leagues, I truly see that they really produce young players and give young players opportunities to play, which allows them to flourish and become real footballers,” Akinola said.

While Altidore knows all about playing in the Netherlands, it is Alphonso Davies, a fellow Canadian who is currently taking the German Bundesliga by storm. Akinola has followed Davies’ success with some interest, and the two have been in regular contact with one another. The constant exchanges led to Akinola joining ATG Sports, which is run by Davies’ agent Nick Huoseh.

“I just asked Phonzie: ‘Who is your agent? I can see that he is really representing you well,’” Akinola said. “I gave him a call, and he gave me his agent’s information.” That agent was Nick Huoseh, who was instrumental in first discovering Davies and then facilitating his transfer from the Vancouver Whitecaps to Bayern Munich.

Akinola: "I had a very good conversation with ATG Sports"

“Huoseh and I had a very good conversation,” Akinola said. “It was an eye-opener for me. [Nick] really understands the game, he is very thorough and honest. Most agents will always give you positive feedback. But what I need is constructive criticism and when I don’t do something right, he will not sugar-coat it.”

It was Huoseh who put Akinola on a stricter training regime before the tournament, telling the striker that he needed to lay the foundation by going on more regular runs. It would not be the first time that a player under Huoseh would transform himself to be better adapted for a challenge. Davies, for example, put on significant muscle mass in his first year at Bayern.

For Akinola, however, muscle mass was not an issue. “I’m already strong,” Akinola said with a smile. That is certainly the case and was on display in Akinola’s final goal against Montreal when he muscled off a defender on his way to his hattrick.

A goal that was somewhat reminiscent of goals scored by the Brazilian Hulk. But who does Akinola model his play after? "I don't usually like to emulate myself as someone; I think I'm just my own type of player,” Akinola said. “I like to run at defenders, make their life miserable, be chaotic, that is my game. And obviously scoring goals, that is what you have to do as a striker, that is what you can expect for sure.”

Finally, what does Akinola think about his current €400,000 market value? “I look at Transfermarkt a lot,” Akinola said, laughing. “But it’s something that I’m not worried about.” There is no doubt that Akinola will be one of the players updated. The striker has quickly emerged as a standout talent in North American football and should have a bright future in Europe if his trajectory continues. As for his value? That will ultimately depend on the remainder of the tournament.

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