Born in the USA and born for the big stage.
Folarin Balogun was America’s star on the opening night of their home World Cup, scoring twice in their thrilling 4-1 win over Paraguay.
For a country that loves to celebrate individuals in sport, the Stars and Stripes’ No 9 is a fitting icon.
There have been twists and turns on his journey but there was something of an inevitability Balogun would be the co-hosts’ hero in Los Angeles.
Balogun (20) celebrates scoring USA’s third goal against Paraguay
His story started on the other coast, where a twist of fate saw him born in New York and thus eligible to represent USA. His Nigerian parents had flown over from their home in London but, with his mother heavily pregnant, were prevented from flying back until after his birth.
Back in England, Balogun’s football talent was well documented as he rose through the Arsenal academy. The buzz was around Balogun as he developed with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah at Hale End.
Bukayo Saka and Balogun played together for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in 2021
But, with first-team opportunities up front limited, it was a breakout loan at Reims in France’s Ligue 1 where Balogun made his first major impact in senior football. He scored 21 goals in 37 appearances. That summer, in 2023, Monaco moved in and offered Arsenal £35m. A sum too good to turn down – and an opportunity Balogun, hungry for action, was eager to take up.
It was another decision he made in May 2023, though, which may have truly defined his career.
Balogun had represented England up to U21 level but talk of a switch to USA, whose youth set-up he had also featured in, was always there. With the U21 Euros approaching, Balogun flew to Orlando and, after a series of meeting with US officials, decided to switch to the States.
Balogun and Anthony Gordon playing for England U21s in the summer of 2022
Three years out from a World Cup in the USA, Balogun was suddenly on a path to a leading role in Friday’s showpiece, the tournament coinciding with him entering the peak years of his career.
He scored his first goal for USA in the CONCACAF Nations League final win over Canada in 2023 and his route to starting up front at the World Cup was set.
Timing is everything. And Balogun’s run of form at the back end of Monaco’s season primed him for his headline-grabbing night.
After a 2024/25 season disrupted by injury, Balogun hit a hot streak in February, scoring twice in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain and then scoring and assisting against the European champions in Ligue 1 soon after.
Balogun scored twice against Paris Saint-Germain in Monaco’s Champions League play-off with the European champions
Balogun found the net in eight straight league games as part of 11 goals in 14 matches to close out the campaign. He then showed his sharpness with USA’s winner against Senegal two weeks ago.
Against Paraguay, it all came together.
Two goals, finishing with panache off both feet, the striker born in New York, raised in London and thriving in France took the World Cup by storm.
There is something of an irony that a player unable to make the cut at Arsenal is now key for former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino. But it is bigger than that.
The hosts have Christian Pulisic, dubbed their ‘Captain America’. Now they have a star striker to celebrate – and make them dream of what they could achieve at this World Cup.
