Juventus Next Gen coach hints at Felix Afena-Gyan's first-team promotion after impressive debut

Juventus Next Gen coach Paolo Montero has hinted that Ghanaian striker Felix Afena-Gyan could be on the verge of promotion to the senior team following his remarkable debut for the club's second-tier squad.

Afena-Gyan, who joined Juventus on loan from Cremonese for the 2024/25 season, made an immediate impact by scoring a stunning goal in a 3-1 defeat to Catania in Serie C. Despite the loss, the 21-year-old's powerful strike stole the spotlight, earning praise from his coach.

Montero, speaking after the game, lauded Afena-Gyan’s performance and hinted that his time with the Next Gen squad might be short-lived.

"Felix is a cheerful and likable character. Hopefully, his personality will help him become a top player," Montero said in his post-match interview, as reported by JuventusNews24. "We know what our project is—to develop players. Felix is an added value, and we hope he stays a bit longer before moving to the senior team," he added humorously.

Afena-Gyan first rose to prominence during the 2021/22 season under Jose Mourinho at AS Roma and has since gained considerable experience. His potential promotion to Juventus' first team would mark another milestone in his rapid ascent in Italian football.