Bayern Munich teenager Bara Sapoko Ndiaye is enjoying a fairytale rise this year which has taken him all the way into Senegal's World Cup squad.
The 18-year-old forward was signed on loan by Bayern in January, made his Bundesliga debut in April and earned his maiden cap on Sunday over 90 minutes in a 3-2 defeat against the United States.
Originally considered a candidate to be scrapped from Senegal's provisional squad, he is now among the 26 players to represent the African nation at the big event in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Senegal have a final tune-up match on June 10 against Saudi Arabia. They start the World Cup on June 16 against France, with Norway and Iraq the other group stage opponents.
Ndiaye was signed in January from Gambinos Stars Africa, an academy in Gambia which cooperates with Red & Gold Football, a joint venture of Bayern and Los Angeles FC.
The contract expires on June 30 but is expected to be made permanent.
Ndiaye, who had also previously had training trials at Bayern, made his Bundesliga debut as a substitute in a 5-0 win at St Pauli in April. He now has four top flight appearances over 142 minutes, two as a starter, for Vincent Kompany's team.
Kompany has praised Ndiaye, saying "he has shown that he belonmgs to the talents we have in the Bayern academy."
Ndiaye once told Bayern club magazine 51: "In Gambia I was always up against players of the same age. Here I train with world class players and have a top coach in Vincent Kompany. I enjoy it a lot and see it as a huge opportunity."
