It was a poignant moment amidst the peak of the European migrant crisis back in September, as Germany tried to strike a balance between an open-arms and vigilant approach.
A Syria-born German, Borussia Monchengladbach's Mahmoud Dahoud, just 19 at the time, scoring his first goal in the Bundesliga. Underscoring, if just a bit, how refugees can integrate and complement a society. Rebuking, if just a bit, the panic that gripped corners of Europe.
There was more to it than symbolism, though. The kid can also play.
German outlet Bild is reporting that after Monchengladbach rebuffed advances from Juventus in the winter transfer window, a pair of English mega-clubs are now setting their sights on the 20-year-old playmaker.
Manchester United and Manchester City, Bild says, "are now off" in a race for "midfield jewel" Dahoud.
Dahoud was born in Syria near the Turkish border in Amouda, and has developed into a first-team staple for Gladbach since his transfer from Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2010. This season the central midfielder, who stands 5ft 9in (1.76m), has made 14 league starts and another five in the Champions League. He has scored twice and assisted four times in 25 matches across all competitions.
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Juventus in particular would have been keen on Dahoud after his display against them in a 1-1 Champions League draw in November, which included a skillful, knifing long-range shot attempt into the crossbar.
Bild notes Dahoud's contract runs only until 2018, and he has no exit clause, leaving him ripe for the plucking should larger clubs like United or City come calling. The report also characterises Dahoud as "increasingly sought".
The German paper identifies City as the likelier suitor, running the headline, loosely translated, "Pep to take away the Gladbach-Bubi ('little boy') with him to England?" Bild says Man City "makes twice as much sense".
Dahoud has grown more and more comfortable playing top-level football since securing a regular role with Gladbach at the beginning of this season, taking on an influential central role. He could make a potential long-term replacement for the likes of David Silva at City or Juan Mata at United.
Borussia Monchengladbach blitzed Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Friday night, with Dahoud featuring critically. He displayed his vision nicely in setting up their second goal. Charging into the box and taking a pass, he expertly directed it to Chelsea’s on-loan Andreas Christensen, wide open for a tap in.
His run down the middle of the pitch helped set up their first goal, and he won the corner that led to their third.
Dahoud wrote on his official Facebook page on January 1 – also his birthday – "Happy New Year and thank you for the many good wishes, which I have achieved so far!
“2015 for me personally was an exciting year ... I look forward to more great moments”.
Gladbach, after stumbling to start the season, have recovered their form nicely and risen to sixth in the Bundesliga, just three points off third-placed Hertha Berlin and a return to the Champions League.
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