Liberian and German youth midfielder of Ghanaian descent Roberto Massimo, made his seventh Bundesliga appearance for VFB Stuttgart as they whipped rivals Borrusia Dortmund 5-1 at the Borussia Arena on Saturday.
Massimo played the last 24-minutes of the game after coming on as a substitute for Congolese forward Silas Wamangituka in the 67th minute.
Despite coming on in the second department of the game, Massimo made a huge impact as Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team proved too strong for Dortmund to contain throughout the game.
Stuttgart’s in-form Congolese striker Silas Wamangituka struck twice with French forward Tanguy Coulibaly, German’s Philipp Forster and Argentine’s Winger Nico Gonzalez, all hitting the back of the net to complete the 5-1 drubbing of Dortmund.
Dortmund continue to struggle in the absence of Norweigan International Erling Haaland – who is a nursing injury – after limping off in 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt in a Bundesliga tie.
Massimo, the former Arminia Bielefeld trainee, has already broken through at Stuttgart and at 20 years old is emerging as the latest young German prodigy from African root.
Massimo is hoping he can let his qualities shine through on the pitch, and help his club Vfb Stuttgart, challenges for the Bundesliga title and win International exposure.
“Last year I did not play a lot because of injury so this year is important for me to prove myself on a consistent basis,” he told Liberian Sports International.
The Liberian has struggled with knee injuries, he was sidelined for most parts of October and returned recently in November to first-team action.
“I really want to do well this season and help Stuttgart win every match, maybe a Qualification in the UEFA Champions League could be a boost for us, especially a team with so many young players, Massimo said.”
It hasn’t been really well with me, the injuries has been my nightmare but I’m much confident and stronger right now to compete, he told LSI Sports.
The young midfielder who is eligible to play for any of the three countries, [Liberia, Ghana, Germany], is already in German youth circle, is also eligible to represent Italy as he has an Italian father.
But yet Massimo, hasn’t completely rule out chances of playing for Liberia or Ghana, in an Interview with Liberian Sports International, the speedy and skillful midfielder cum -winger give some greenlight that he could have some desire to played for Liberia.
“It could be amazing to return to Africa, where my roots are; he told LSI sports, I have grow and played here, since childhood, but yet I still feel much as an African, I was born in Ghana, my mum is from neighboring Liberia, and she has always tell amazing stories about her country, and everyone who listens to it, could be exited and love to visit Liberia.
”I am a young player focusing on my career and how I can improve as a professional footballer, but nevertheless, I always knew where i have come from and could one day return, ” and if it is possible to turn out, why not I wholeheartedly welcome it and give my all, he concluded.
Roberto Massimo was born in Ghana to a Liberian mother and an Italian father. He was raised in Lippstadt, Germany and is a German citizen.
Massimo played for SV Lippstadt 08 from 2013-2014, for Arminia Bielefeld from 2014-2019 and has played for VfB Stuttgart since 2019, which is spreads over 87 club matches.
He was part of the Arminia Bielefeld team that made more headlines in the Bundesliga 2 in the 2018-2019 season, which saw them finish seventh in the League on 49 points, he returns to Stuttgart, after his loan spell the following season to seek exposure and Bielefeld eventually won the Bundesliga 2, which saw Massimo missing out.
