Tuesday's feel-good story goes to Roma manager Jose Mourinho, who, having given youngster Felix Afena-Gyan his professional debut at the weekend, then came good on a promise.
The highly-rated 18-year-old came off the bench to break the deadlock just seven minutes after coming on, before adding his second with a 25-yard curler in stoppage time. In his post-match interview, Mourinho revealed the teen sensation had an expensive incentive to do so.
“I had promised to buy Felix the boots he really likes, which are really expensive, they cost €800, so he ran over and told me not to forget! Tomorrow morning, the first thing I do is buy him the boots,” Mourinho told DAZN.
The "boots" in question were actually a pair of Balenciaga Speed Trainers that cost around $900. Most players in Italy's top-flight would find that kind of cash lying down the side of their sofa, but Afena-Gyan's rise has been meteoric, to say the least. The striker was still playing in Ghana last year, and was spotted by Giallorossi scouts at the EurAfrica academy.
This isn't the first time Mourinho has bribed his squad with gifts. Last year, the-then Spurs manager duly delivered a $600 jamon Iberico to Spanish full-back Sergio Reguilón after he successfully shut out Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.
Whatever happens, it appears Afena-Gyan will be able to afford his own designer kicks not before too long. “I am sorry for [the youth coach] and the Primavera squad, but Felix will stay with [the first team,]" said Mourinho.
