Nestory Irankunda

Nestory Irankunda
Born	(2006-02-09) February 9, 2006 Kigoma, Tanzania
Occupation	Professional footballer
Years active	2021–
Known for	Playing as a winger for Watford and the Australian national team

Nestory Irankunda (born 9 February 2006) is a professional association football winger currently playing for Watford. Although born in Tanzania, he represents the Australian national team internationally.

Originating from Kigoma, Tanzania, Irankunda developed his youth career in Adelaide with Adelaide Croatia Raiders before joining the ranks of Adelaide United in 2021. He secured a scholarship deal in September 2021 and made his league debut in January 2022. That same year, he netted his first league goal, becoming the competition’s second youngest scorer. In March 2024, he achieved his inaugural hat-trick, marking him as the second youngest player to do so in the history of Australian men's football. Later in 2024, Irankunda completed a record-breaking transfer to Bayern Munich, setting a new benchmark for A-League transfers.

While eligible to represent Tanzania and Burundi, Irankunda opted to play for Australia. At the youth international level, he contributed to the Australia U17’s qualification for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup. Following his senior team call-up in March 2023 and debut in June 2024, he became the second youngest Australian to score during a FIFA World Cup qualification (2026) fixture.

Early life

Nestory Irankunda was born on 9 February 2006 in Kigoma, Tanzania, as the third oldest among eight siblings. His father, Gideon, works as a rideshare driver, and his mother is Dafroza. Both parents originally hail from Burundi and fled civil conflict before settling in a refugee camp in Tanzania where Nestory was born. When he was three months old, the family relocated to Perth, Western Australia, later moving to northern Adelaide, South Australia, in 2013. Raised within a Christian household, Irankunda’s love for football emerged through playing alongside his older brothers. At age eight, after being noticed by an under-10 coach, he joined his first club at Parafield Gardens.

Throughout his youth career, Irankunda represented Northern Wolves and Parafield Gardens before signing with National Premier Leagues (NPL) side Adelaide Croatia Raiders. His standout performances caught the attention of scouts including Airton Andrioli, head of youth development at A-League club Adelaide United. Following a trial invitation, he secured a permanent place within their youth setup. Andrioli commended Irankunda’s innate football intelligence and street savvy—traits uncommon among Australian players—which accelerated his progression into professional ranks.

2021–22: Development

During his initial season at Adelaide United, Irankunda began with the reserves before moving up to play for the Adelaide United NPL team. Despite being only 15 years old, he made 26 appearances combined across senior and reserve levels and scored 12 goals. On 27 September 2021, he signed his first professional scholarship contract with Adelaide United.

On 8 January 2022, at just 15 years and 333 days old, Irankunda debuted in the A-League against Melbourne Victory—a match that ended in a 1–1 draw—making him the sixth youngest player ever to appear in the league and the third youngest debutant for Adelaide United.

He opened his scoring account on 30 January by converting a stoppage-time free kick that secured a 2–1 victory over Newcastle Jets, becoming the league’s second youngest goalscorer at 15 years and 355 days. His next league goal came off the bench on 27 February when he helped clinch a 2–1 win against Central Coast Mariners. On 24 April, he again scored late in stoppage time to contribute to a 2–0 triumph over Perth Glory. His outstanding conduct on and off the pitch earned him the Tomas Dale Medal for sportsmanship.

On 26 May, Irankunda was selected for the A-Leagues All Stars squad alongside teammates Isaías Sánchez and Alexandar Popovic to face FC Barcelona.

2022–23: Breakthrough Campaign

In November 2022, Irankunda was sidelined for the initial Original Rivalry fixture of the 2022–23 season due to a one-month suspension linked to tardiness and neglecting team responsibilities. He netted his opening goal of the season on 4 February 2023, clinching a 2–1 victory at home against Brisbane Roar. Manager Carl Veart commended the strike as a testament to Irankunda’s skill. The goal was dedicated to teammate Juande, who had endured a broken leg just a week earlier. Establishing his influence as an impactful substitute, Irankunda scored in three successive matches facing Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, and Newcastle Jets. His effort against Melbourne Victory earned him the A-League Goal of the Month accolade in February.

Irankunda encountered media scrutiny over disciplinary matters, notably instigating an altercation during a match with Western Sydney Wanderers, which led to the Wanderers’ captain Marcelo receiving a red card. On 23 April, he was cautioned for striking a pitchside microphone during a game versus Perth Glory. Nevertheless, he scored his fifth goal of the campaign in the 99th minute of a thrilling 4–4 draw at Perth Rectangular Stadium, raising his A-League tally to eight goals and surpassing Mohamed Toure as the top scorer under 18 in the league. On 2 May, Irankunda was honored with Adelaide United’s Rising Star award. He came off the bench in the season’s final match on 20 May, a 2–0 defeat to eventual champions Central Coast Mariners at Central Coast Stadium.

2023–24: Final Year at Adelaide United

During the 2023–24 pre-season, Irankunda returned briefly to Adelaide United Youth, scoring the decisive goal in the Young Reds’ 4–3 elimination final triumph over Adelaide Comets in August 2023. In the semi-final against Campbelltown City, he suffered a head injury that caused him to collapse and experience breathing difficulties; immediate assistance was provided by match official Dr. Christian Verdicchio. Following medical recommendations, Irankunda missed both the Round of 16 Australia Cup match versus Western Sydney Wanderers and the second-leg semi-final against Campbelltown. Prior to these events, he had featured once for the first team in the Australia Cup.

After accumulating 35 appearances as a substitute, Irankunda made his first start on 20 October in a commanding 3–0 win over Central Coast Mariners. He scored his inaugural goal as a starter on 29 October with a free-kick in a dominant 6–0 victory against Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium. On 4 November, he was dismissed during an Original Rivalry clash with Melbourne Victory and consequently missed the following league fixture against Sydney FC. His performances earned him an October nomination for A-League Men Young Footballer of the Year.

Following confirmation of his transfer to Bayern Munich, Irankunda returned from suspension on 26 November against Western United, delivering one assist in a 3–1 victory and contributing two assists across his subsequent three league games. He reclaimed a starting role on 4 January 2024 versus Wellington Phoenix, registering an assist in a 2–2 draw. Teaming up with mentor Hiroshi Ibusuki, Irankunda both scored and assisted in a thrilling 4–3 win over Sydney FC on 14 January.

On 9 February, at age 18, Irankunda became the youngest player to reach 50 league appearances, eclipsing Liberato Cacace’s previous record. Despite this milestone, coach Carl Veart openly voiced concerns regarding Irankunda’s mindset and performance amid mounting expectations. On 9 March, he scored his third goal of the season during a narrow 2–1 defeat to Melbourne Victory.

Irankunda achieved his first professional hat-trick on 29 March in a convincing 4–1 home win over Western United, setting the record as the youngest A-League Men player to do so and ranking second youngest in Australian men’s football history. On 8 April, he contributed two assists in a remarkable comeback victory by 4–2 against Perth Glory. His final home appearance came on 12 April when he scored from distance in a 2–1 loss to Macarthur FC, followed by another goal during a high-scoring 3–3 draw with Western United on 16 April.

In late April, Irankunda was selected for the 2024 A-League Men All Stars squad ahead of their fixture versus Premier League side Newcastle United. He played his concluding match for Adelaide United on 1 May in a 2–0 defeat to Central Coast Mariners, who clinched the premiership that day. Departing with a total of sixteen goals from sixty league appearances for Adelaide United, Irankunda shared the A-League Men Young Footballer of the Year award alongside Alex Paulsen at season’s conclusion.

Bayern Munich

On 14 November 2023, Adelaide United confirmed the transfer of Irankunda to Bayern Munich for a fee that set a new club record, with the forward scheduled to join on 1 July 2024. Sources revealed Bayern’s bid was approximately £3 million plus additional clauses, potentially surpassing the A-League’s highest transfer fee previously held by Marco Tilio. The initial payment was reported at €750,000, with total compensation exceeding €3 million if specific conditions were fulfilled.

Irankunda arrived at Bayern Campus on 18 June 2024 and began training with Bayern Munich II ahead of the preseason camp in Waidring starting 21 June. He made his unofficial reserve debut on 6 July, netting a goal in a 2–1 friendly defeat against Austria Lustenau. By mid-July, he had progressed to training alongside the first team under head coach Vincent Kompany. His competitive debut came on 19 July in the Regionalliga Bayern, where he helped secure a 1–0 victory over Wacker Burghausen. A week later, he both assisted and scored during a dominant 14–1 first-team friendly win against FC Rottach-Egern.

On 31 July, Irankunda was part of Bayern’s preseason squad touring Seoul to face Tottenham Hotspur, led by fellow Australian Ange Postecoglou. Kompany commended his performances during preseason and in first-team sessions, which earned him a spot on the bench for the DFB-Pokal fixture versus SSV Ulm. Returning to the reserves, Irankunda earned man of the match honors on 24 August after scoring twice in a 4–1 triumph over Würzburger Kickers. He received his second senior team call-up on 10 December 2024 for a UEFA Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk but remained on the bench throughout.

Loan to Grasshopper Club Zurich

Irankunda joined Swiss titleholders Grasshopper Club Zurich on loan for six months starting 4 January 2025, with the arrangement lasting until 30 June. Within four appearances, he registered his first assist during a draw against Lausanne-Sport in the Swiss Super League. He provided another assist in the subsequent match against Lugano before being substituted due to injury. After delivering a third assist in just four games on 22 February, fans voted him player of the month. He returned to Bayern Munich following the conclusion of the loan period.

Watford

On 18 July 2025, Irankunda committed to a five-year deal with EFL Championship side Watford, marking an important advancement in his professional journey.

Youth

Eligible to represent Burundi, Tanzania, or Australia, Irankunda earned his inaugural call-up in September 2022 to Australia’s under-17 squad for the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification. He made an immediate impact by scoring five goals against the Northern Mariana Islands and continued finding the net throughout qualification, helping Australia top their group and secure tournament qualification.

Selected for Australia’s squad at the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, Irankunda scored twice during a thrilling 5–3 group stage victory over China; his second goal attracted widespread attention online due to its exceptional quality. He also scored in Australia’s quarter-final defeat by Japan.

In April 2024, Irankunda was excluded from Australia’s under-23 roster for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, a crucial Olympic qualifying tournament. Coach Tony Vidmar cited concerns about his readiness and ability to handle pressure. When teammate Marco Tilio suffered an injury, Irankunda declined a late invitation to join the squad, choosing instead to prioritize his club duties with Adelaide United. This decision drew criticism from several A-League clubs and triggered an independent investigation by Football Australia into possible disciplinary measures. Ultimately, no formal call-up was issued, allowing him to remain eligible for club selection.

In May 2025, Irankunda was named in Australia’s under-20 squad for upcoming friendlies against Argentina ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, but he withdrew due to injury as of 1 June.

Senior

On 14 March 2023, Irankunda was called up for the first time to join the Australia national team as a "train on" member for friendly matches against Ecuador. During this time, he developed strong connections with experienced player Awer Mabil, who served as a mentor, as well as with fellow young talent Garang Kuol. When Riley McGree became unwell, Irankunda was added to the matchday squad for both fixtures but did not see playing time, missing the opportunity to become Australia's youngest-ever international debutant.

In November, the Burundi Football Association showed interest in having Irankunda represent their country. By May 2024, he revealed he might consider playing for Burundi or Tanzania if he were excluded from Australia's upcoming tournaments. Shortly thereafter, he received a call-up for Australia's 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Bangladesh and Palestine. Head coach Graham Arnold praised Irankunda's maturity and confirmed that any questions about his international commitment had been settled.

Irankunda earned his first international cap on 6 June 2024, providing an assist in a 2–0 victory over Bangladesh during World Cup qualifiers. Five days later, he netted his inaugural goal for the Socceroos via a penalty in a 5–0 win against Palestine, becoming Australia's second youngest goal scorer at the age of 18 years and 123 days.

Style of play

Australian media widely recognize Irankunda as one of the nation’s most promising young talents. His proficiency in scoring has attracted significant acclaim, with commentators likening his free kick against Newcastle Jets to techniques used by Cristiano Ronaldo. His ability to draw fouls led coach Carl Veart to advocate for enhanced referee protection to ensure player safety. Throughout his breakthrough season, Veart carefully managed Irankunda’s playing time, predominantly utilizing him as a substitute to support his long-term growth.

Primarily deployed on the right flank at Adelaide United under Veart’s guidance, Irankunda uses his speed and dribbling skills to stretch opposing defenses and disrupt their strategies, especially late in games when opponents tire. He frequently cuts inside from the wing employing tight ball control to create chances for shots or crosses. Known for his powerful shooting ability, he often opts to take shots rather than pass when inside the penalty area.

During the 2023–24 campaign, with increased minutes on the pitch, Irankunda embraced a more creative role across both wings and central attacking positions within a 4–3–3 system. This allowed him to generate scoring opportunities by combining pace, dribbling prowess, and improved use of his weaker foot.

Reception

Irankunda’s standout season garnered significant acclaim from teammate Javi López, who compared his progress to that of a 17-year-old Lionel Messi. This perspective is shared by numerous coaches, including those at the international level. Additionally, parallels have been drawn between Irankunda and Alphonso Davies, as both share similar origins, having emerged from refugee camps before establishing themselves in professional football.

Acknowledged as a prominent figure in South Australian football, Irankunda was featured among the "top 20 South Australian athletes to watch in 2023" by Messenger Newspapers and included in The Advertiser’s "24 South Australians to watch in 2024." On 11 October 2023, The Guardian recognized him as one of the 60 best young football talents worldwide—the sole Australian on the list—alongside names such as Endrick and Warren Zaïre-Emery. In March 2024, he appeared within GOAL’s NXGN list of the top 50 emerging players born after January 2005. Furthermore, L'Équipe highlighted him in their June 2024 compilation of the finest U20 players globally.

As one of the youngest members of Adelaide United’s roster, Irankunda encountered criticism for occasional "emotional outbursts" and perceived immaturity during matches, particularly following a dismissal against Melbourne Victory in November 2023. Coach Veart acknowledged these challenges but emphasized Irankunda’s ongoing commitment to better managing his frustration and emotions. Bayern Munich’s sporting director Christoph Freund attributed this temperament to youthful passion. Throughout the 2023–24 season, Irankunda demonstrated significant growth, earning commendation from Veart for his enhanced composure and maturity.

Personal life

Irankunda attended Parafield Gardens High School located in Parafield Gardens, South Australia, a northern suburb of Adelaide. Although he admitted struggling academically, he identified English as his favorite subject and enjoyed the Harry Potter book series and movies. In December 2022, he was runner-up in his category at the School Sports Awards. Currently, he is also learning German.

He grew up supporting Spanish club Barcelona, admiring defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué, who influenced his initial role as a centre-back before coaches transitioned him into a more offensive position. His playing style draws inspiration from Lionel Messi, particularly in terms of agility and strength. Despite his allegiance to Barcelona, his father’s long-standing support for Bayern Munich played a significant role in Irankunda’s decision to join the German club. In June 2023, he expressed an ambition to conclude his career with Adelaide United.

During his childhood, Irankunda’s father frequently drove him to football matches before he was old enough to drive himself, while his older brothers gave up playing football to help cover his National Premier Leagues expenses. He regards his family—including his father, brothers, mother, and sisters—as his heroes. He shares a close friendship with fellow professional footballer Mohamed Toure, who has described him as a "football Houdini" and the "Australian Jude Bellingham."

Club

Appearances and goals broken down by club, season, and competition

Team	Season	League			Domestic Cup		International		Overall
		Level	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals
Adelaide United Youth	2021	NPL SA	15	3	—		—		15	3
	2022		12	1	—		—		12	1
	2023		3	2	—		—		3	2
	Aggregate		30	6	—		—		30	6
Adelaide United	2021–22	A-League Men	13	3	0	0	—		13	3
	2022–23		22	5	0	0	—		22	5
	2023–24		25	8	1	0	—		26	8
	Aggregate		60	16	1	0	—		61	16
Bayern Munich II	2024–25	Regionalliga Bayern	15	4	—		—		15	4
Grasshopper (loan)	2024–25	Swiss Super League	21	1	—		—		21	1
Watford	2025–26	Championship	1	0	0	0	—		1	0
Career summary			127	27	1	0	0	0	128	27

International

Appearances and goals by calendar year

Team	Year	Appearances	Goals
Australia U-17	2022	3	8
	2023	4	3
Total		7	11
Australia	2024	5	1
Total		5	1

Note: Scores and results display Australia's goals first; the score column represents the match score following each goal by Irankunda.

Comprehensive list of international goals scored by Nestory Irankunda

No.	Date	Location	Opponent	Score after goal	Final result	Tournament
1	11 June 2024	Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia	Template:Fb	5–0	5–0	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round