United States striker Folarin Balogun’s stunning brace in the 4-1 FIFA World Cup win over Paraguay was the product of months of focused individual training, his private coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst has revealed.
Balogun, 24, became the first American since Bert Patenaude in 1930 to score two goals in a single World Cup match. The performance capped a dramatic career turnaround for the Brooklyn-born forward with Nigerian roots from London. After coming through Arsenal’s academy, he struggled for first-team chances and managed just three goals in 18 appearances during a loan at Middlesbrough.
His breakthrough came during a 2022/23 loan at French side Reims, where he scored 21 goals, that Balogun sought him out in 2022 after the Middlesbrough spell. They mapped his strengths as a striker and drilled areas for improvement through an intensive pre-season camp. The striker regularly traveled on the Eurostar for sessions before his loan to Reims and later his move to Monaco.
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That work paid off. Balogun earned a £35m transfer to AS Monaco from Arsenal in 2023 and has continued his rise, scoring 19 goals and adding five assists this season before his World Cup debut. Hurst said another intensive training block was planned last summer specifically to prepare him for the World Cup year with the USA.
USA captain Tim Ream praised Balogun’s movement and finishing after the historic victory over Paraguay. Eligible for the US through birthright citizenship, Balogun is now expected to play a key role as the co-hosts advance to the round of 32. The Americans face Turkey in their final group game on Friday.
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