COMMENT: Is the Barcelona match Sundowns star Percy Tau's biggest platform to secure European move?

When it comes to the 2017/18 Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign, only one name really stands out and it is that of Percy Tau.

This has arguably been the season where the Mamelodi Sundowns star attacker has taken his football up a level and is on the verge of stardom.

At just 24, Tau has achieved so much, and questions have already begun surrounding his next move.

Masandawana coach Pitso Mosimane has continuously sang the praises of his attacker throughout the season and maintains that while he will be allowed to leave for Europe, it will only be for a team in one of Europe’s star-studded leagues, this does beg the question, whether or not Sundowns’ upcoming friendly against Barcelona can be used as a platform to sell Tau to the world.

Ever since the announcement of the highly anticipated inter-club friendly, all the talk has been about many of the match-ups on the field, none more so than Tau versus Lionel Messi.

While Tau is by no means at the level of the world football superstar as yet, to South African football audiences he is a magician just like the Argentine wizard.

Due to Messi and Barcelona’s involvement in the fixture, all eyes will be on the clash, and perhaps a stellar performance by any of Sundowns stars could intrigue some of the scouts that might be in attendance.

There is also the possibility of Barcelona themselves picking up one of them, including Percy Tau.

While this may be considered a dream for now, it is not a completely unfathomable idea. Just roll back the years, and you remember how Mbulelo ‘OJ’ Mabizela moved to Tottenham Hotspur. 

Playing in a friendly against Tottenham Hotspur, the then Orlando Pirates defender impressed the away side, and the next thing he knew he was on a plane to London.

This story could motivate Tau, after all, former Liverpool star El Hadji Diouf recently remarked that the dynamo is more talented than many of the African stars on display in Europe and could play for a club like Real Madrid eventually.

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While Diouf’s words are flattering, it should be noted that Tau still has a long way to go, and as his coach Mosimane alluded to previously, the forward is still a few years behind in his development. He is still raw, although Sundowns have done a fantastic job moulding him into the star he is today.

Tau though, needs a stepping stone to Europe first before thinking about conquering it, especially at clubs such as Barcelona and Madrid, who are blessed with an abundance of talent and financial clout, rather than having to wait his turn, he could choose to join a smaller club and make a name there before moving on to the big leagues.

While the possibilities are endless for Tau, what this game provides is a platform that will ensure that Tau will always be remembered by Blaugrana.