'Pipi' fever

Posted Saturday, December 13, 2014 by Marca.com

11-YEAR-OLD TAKUHIRO NAKAI IS TALK OF THE TOWN

Real Madrid's latest prodigy is an internet sensation. The wonderkid in question is Takuhiro Nakai, nicknamed 'Pipi', currently a member of the club's Alevín A (under-12) team.

The Japanese starlet, who only just turned 11, has gone viral on YouTube and social media, which are buzzing with talk about the youngster's most recent demonstration of genius.

It is hard to believe that a kid this age can produce the dazzling footwork that 'Pipi' served up during the under-13 'Clásico' against Barcelona, which can only be truly appreciated in slow motion and on repeated viewing. Only then do we realise that no fewer than four times does Nakai drag the ball back, whisking it away as if it were glued to his foot, as he skips around his closest opponent - an incredible sequence for a little lad standing just 1.42 metres tall, and one that has earned him a heap of plaudits and attention.

The most-viewed video of Nakai's 'Clásico' antics has been watched more than 500,000 times in just a few days. This is not the most popular video of 'Pipi', however. That honour goes to an older clip showing the phenom's skills when he was aged just 7, which has surpassed the 2-million-view mark.