Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, a midfielder for the Black Stars, has admitted that Brazilian superstar Neymar was his childhood hero.

The 26-year-old shared details of his upbringing, including how he looked up to Neymar and used YouTube to study his playing technique.

“It’s Neymar Jr,” Kyereh told pulse.com.gh when asked about his all-time favourite footballer. “The first time I saw him when he played for Santos at his first club in Brazil, he was 16 years and around that time and I was 12 years old.

“And it was the style and enjoyment watching him play what I loved about him. And since then I always checked on YouTube for new skill videos of him playing football. I will get my ball and meet with friends or alone to learn the dribbling skills he did in the videos.

“Back then nobody knew him like now I told my close friends about him and seeing his career now is an inspiration. At the same time following his career and building my own career step by step to achieve the same goals.”

With his participation for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the World Cup in Qatar over the previous 12 months, Kyereh's career has experienced a significant upswing.

He also obtained a significant transfer from St. Pauli to Freiburg last summer, and he has already scored twice for the Bundesliga team. He hopes to advance his career by emulating his idol, Neymar, and pursuing the same objectives.