Upbeat Sunderland fans were quick to liken Trai Hume to a Brazilian great after the right-back was on target in Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win over Scottish Premiership side Dundee United.
Hume, who joined the Black Cats from Linfield in January, produced a bullet header from a half cleared Dennis Cirkin cross to make it 1-0 at Tannadice Park.
And afterwards the 20-year-old’s vibrant performance had some supporters hailing him as a Ballymena version of Cafu.
Read more: Northern Ireland boss Kenny Shiels offers 'massive failure' verdict on England's Euro prospects
The legendary Brazilian right-back starred for the likes of AC Milan and won 142 caps for his country, lifting two World Cups in 1994 and 2002.
Reacting to Hume’s dynamic display on social media, Sunderland fans Nick and Jack Dixon were impressed enough to describe the former Blues star as “the Northern Ireland Cafu”.
Abbie wrote “some boy” while Sonny suggested the mobile defender would go on to become the “best full-back in the Championship”.
Others described Hume as a “baller” and “quality” while Babs wrote: “This kid is special.”
Speaking afterwards, Hume said the most important thing was getting 90 minutes under his belt ahead of the new Championship season which kicks-off later this month.
He told Sunderland’s social media team: “It’s tough getting your first 90 minutes so the most important thing was getting 90 minutes and winning. It’s good.”
On his first goal in a Sunderland shirt, Hume said: “Dennis has just crossed it into the back post, it came to me and I’ve just headed it into the back of the net.
“It was good to get a goal, but the most important thing was getting 90 minutes and getting my fitness up. Hopefully I can get a strong pre-season under my belt and play as many games as I can leading up to the season.”
Sunderland, who recently returned from a training camp in Portugal where a friendly with Rangers was abandoned because of a floodlight failure, are next in action on Tuesday night when they play League Two Bradford City at Valley Parade.
The Black Cats’ first league game of the campaign is at home to Coventry City on Sunday, July 31.
Hume, who made his Northern Ireland debut in a 1-0 defeat to Hungary in March, made three competitive appearances for Sunderland last season following his January move from Linfield.
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