LFC's 7-year-old internet star
A seven-year-old boy currently training at Liverpool FC's International Football Academy in Indonesia has become a worldwide internet sensation after a video posted on YouTube generated over a quarter of a million views.
Tristan Alif Naufal, a young player from Jakarta, has been training with Liverpool's Academy in Indonesia since the beginning of July 2011 and is continuing to make significant progress in our Senayan Soccer School.
The video which features Tristian Alif showcasing his skills and tricks, including actual footage of him in match action, was uploaded to YouTube a month ago and has already been seen by over 265,000 people around the world. Two additional videos - including an earlier one showcasing Tristian Alif as a six-year-old - have also racked up another 100,000 views between them and now he's become something of a celebrity in his home country where the media have labelled him the new Messi.
No one connected to LFC or Tristian Alif himself is getting carried away though - and that includes his mother Irma and father Ivan Trianto, both passionate Liverpool supporters.
"Tristan is a great kid," claims Paul Barratt, Senior Academy Coach at LFC IFAss Indonesia. "His attitude is brilliant. He always listens to the coaches and tries his very best at all times. However, we need to remember that Tristan is only 7 years old. Now, he needs to learn how to fit into a team. We're committed to continuing to support Tristan and helping him achieve his potential in the hope that he can one day make it as a professional footballer."
Watch the video below