07 October 2026
“We Are Youth | Talent of the Month” is Juventus.com’s monthly feature that introduces you to the stars of the Next Gen and the Bianconeri’s youth teams. The first player in the spotlight is Next Gen striker Justin Oboavwoduo, born in 2006, who recently made his debut for the First Team in Serie A.
His early days and the vital role of his family
For Justin, his passion for football has deep roots, dating back to his childhood: “When I was a little boy at nursery, I just picked up a ball. I used to play football at break time, and my teacher told my mum that her son was quite good, that he liked to play at lunchtime and during break time. From then on, all I can remember about myself as a child is playing football. It’s my earliest memory.”
It’s been a journey in which his family’s support has been the key factor in enabling him to take his first steps towards a professional career: “My family made a lot of sacrifices for me. I come from a family of four children, and we were all very active and sporty. Finding the time to take me to training sessions and matches, whilst also managing their own work, was absolutely vital. They did a tremendous job helping me get to where I am today. Without them, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
His development in England and the move to Italy
Before arriving in Turin, Justin’s footballing development took place at the Manchester City Academy: “In Manchester, they focus a great deal on individual development to identify where you can improve every day, where your strengths lie, and how to build on these aspects until they become real strengths. It’s a philosophy that runs from the first team right through to the youth teams, and this makes the transition from one age group to the next much easier. It really helped me learn the basics of football, develop good technique and gain a good understanding of the game.”
Then, in early 2026, came the call from Juventus and the experience of a completely new environment: “The language was one of the biggest challenges because I didn’t speak Italian. What’s more, it was the first time I’d been away from my family. Living on my own, doing things by myself, having to buy all my groceries for the first time or buy a television… The simple things in life that you don’t do until you go and live on your own. Being away from home and my family in Manchester was the biggest challenge.”
It was an adjustment made all the more worthwhile by the thrill of wearing the black-and-white shirt: “Obviously, Juventus is the biggest club in Italy and has a truly magnificent history. When they called me and were seriously interested in bringing me here, it wasn’t a difficult decision to make, especially given how they saw me fitting into the system and what the plan for me might be if I worked hard and played well. It was a source of immense joy and pride for me and my whole family.”
On-pitch characteristics and idols
When describing his playing style, Justin emphasises initiative and quality in the final third: “I’m someone who likes to get on the ball, who likes to link up and combine with my teammates. I’d say I’m quite quick, so in transition I think I’m quite dangerous. I like to dribble, express myself on the pitch and score goals and provide assists; that’s how I want to play because it helps the team. Trying to be an attacking threat is my style of play. Among today’s players, I’ve always liked and loved watching Kylian Mbappé. He’s a very dangerous attacking player who can operate in positions similar to those I play in myself.”
Developing with the Next Gen programme and his relationship with Coach Brambilla
His day-to-day work with Juventus’s reserve team remains the main driving force behind his development: “The Next Gen programme is excellent because you play against adults every week, whereas in England reserve teams play against other reserve teams. Playing in the league every week against experienced professionals helps you develop and ensures you’re ready for any future challenge. I have an excellent relationship with Coach Brambilla and the staff, based on honesty: they demand a lot from me because they know what I can offer the team and want me to show my qualities in every training session and every match. If there’s something I’m not doing well, we sit down, analyse it and see how I can improve. I get on well with all my teammates, but I’ve become particularly close to Owusu, and to Guerra, who, as the most experienced player, helped me a lot to settle in during the first few months. I sit next to him in the changing room, and to Elimoghale, with whom I share Nigerian roots and who speaks a bit of English.”
Summer with the First Team: pre-season training and advice
Taking part in pre-season training with the First Team was a key milestone in his integration process: “My first memory was, of course, returning on day one and the fitness tests, which were really tough! But spending an extended period with the team allows you to get to know the players and lets them get to know me – what sort of person I am and how I move on the pitch. Experiencing pre-season day in, day out has allowed me to learn, develop and understand what the manager wants from me, from the team and in the different phases of the game.”
Among the key figures in the dressing room, Justin singles out a few teammates in particular: “I’d say Pierre Kalulu, because most of the time I play on the left and he plays on the right, so we often go up against each other in training. He’s helping me a lot. If there’s something I don’t understand, he gives me a hand because he speaks Italian, and he explains what bothers a defender, so that if I make certain moves, I can be successful. And then there’s Weston McKennie, who’s a fun lad and speaks English too.”
His first goal in a friendly and the excitement of his Serie A debut
Looking back on the most exciting moments of recent months, Oboavwoduo reflects on the goal he scored in a friendly against Nice: “Scoring for Juventus fills you with a great deal of pride and joy. It was a truly wonderful moment to be able to take to the pitch and make a difference to help the team. I remember that after the match I spoke to my family and they were absolutely delighted for me. My mum, my dad, my sisters, but also the director and the whole staff.”
Then came his official debut in the top flight in the away match against Sassuolo: “It was a bit of a bittersweet moment given how the match ended, but Serie A is a massive competition and making my debut for Juventus, feeling the trust Luciano Spalletti placed in me by bringing me on at a difficult time, is something I’ll cherish forever. I hope it’s just a starting point for many more appearances. Before I came on, the manager simply told me to go out onto the pitch, enjoy myself, take shots, dribble, get at the full-back and try to make an impact on the match, instilling as much confidence in me as possible. After the match, I immediately sent a message to my mum and dad. They’d been watching the match hoping I’d come on and were happy for me; they tried to cheer me up about the final result.”
Life in Italy and future goals
Off the pitch, Justin talks about his interests: “I like playing a bit of PlayStation; I’m quite good at EAFC. I listen to music and follow basketball a bit because my sister plays. Turin is a beautiful city with a rich history. It’s lovely to stroll around the city centre; I really enjoy being here.”
To conclude, he looks to the present and towards the great achievements of the future: “My main aim for the season is to make an impact in as many matches as possible with the Next Gen side, to score, provide assists, put in good performances and help the team in both phases of play to win matches, whilst always ensuring I’m ready should the manager decide to call me up to the first team. My biggest dream? To win the World Cup and the Champions League. Playing for your national team means you’re among the best in your country, and winning the World Cup means being the strongest team and squad in the world. As a child, you want to win everything and score 100 goals: I think dreaming big isn’t a bad thing at all.”
