West Ham United striker Divin Mubama has revealed that he played as himself on video game FIFA 23 the night before making his full senior debut against FCSB on Thursday night.
The 18-year-old made his full debut at senior level on Thursday night, starting up front and playing a big role in the Hammers’ 3-0 win over FCSB in Bucharest.
Mubama, who only turned 18 at the end of last month, was one of four debutants for West Ham. Ollie Scarles played at left wing-back for the duration of the tie, while Kamarai Swyer and Kaelan Casey both featured from the bench.
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Pablo Fornals scored West Ham’s first and third goals either side of half-time, with Mubama involved in the second, an own goal scored by Joyskim Dawa. Mubama met Vladimir Coufal’s cross with a header, but it took a huge deflection off Dawa, cruelly denying him a debut senior goal, despite his brilliant and wild celebrations after it.
But the teenager has revealed that the night before his senior debut, he played video game FIFA 23, using himself up front against FCSB and he scored in the game, almost a pre-cursor of what was to come.
“Words can't describe how I'm feeling,” said Mubama. “It was given as an own goal but I had a butterfly feeling when I scored. The day before the game, I played FIFA 23 with myself against FCSB and I scored. I'm literally living the dream and taking every step as it comes.
“My family couldn't believe it when I told them (I was travelling with the squad). They told me to stay focused and be prepared. There was a little bit of nerves but I've been waiting for this moment since I was eight.”
Mubama first joined the club at the age of eight, but got his chance up front in Bucharest. After the debut, he praised the help that the senior players have given him, especially £30million summer signing Nayef Aguerd, who was making his second West Ham appearance on the night.
“I grew up in the area so West Ham is all I know. Walking through the doors at Chadwell Heath and living 15 minutes away from the London Stadium. Everyone in the first team has helped me with advice, especially the centre halves like Nayef Aguerd. Just on what to do and what not to do, so he's been very good. But I'm 100 per cent getting this shirt framed. No one is taking it off me!”
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