Isak Alemayehu of Djurgardens IF experienced a dream evening on Thursday, despite the defeat against Chelsea. The former Feyenoord player scored against the club he grew up supporting, after his childhood idol once made a name for himself there. "It felt unreal," he said.
Isak Alemayehu of Djurgårdens IF experienced a night he will never forget on Thursday, despite his team suffering a 1-4 home defeat at the hands of English giants Chelsea.
For most young players, scoring a goal in European competition is already a special moment. For Alemayehu, it meant even more. The 18-year-old midfielder not only found the net in one of the biggest matches of his life but did so against the very club he has supported since childhood a team that inspired him to pursue football in the first place.
The match had appeared all but settled when Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson scored twice in the second half, adding to goals from his teammates and giving the visitors a commanding lead in Sweden. But despite the one-sided nature of the scoreline, Djurgårdens refused to back down. In the 77th minute, just three minutes after Jackson’s second goal, they found their moment. Tobias Gulliksen delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and there was Alemayehu rising above the defense and heading the ball past Chelsea’s goalkeeper to pull one back for the hosts. The goal didn’t change the outcome, but in that instant, for Alemayehu, it meant everything.
“It was unreal to score against Chelsea,” Alemayehu said after the final whistle, speaking to Aftonbladet Sport. “It felt like I was in a bubble. It hadn’t really sunk in at first. But when I was sitting in the dressing room afterwards, scrolling through my phone, reading the messages and seeing the reaction, I began to realise what had just happened. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Born in Sweden to parents with roots in Ethiopia and El Salvador, Alemayehu has had a unique path in football. His love for Chelsea began at a young age, inspired by none other than Belgian star Eden Hazard. “My favorite player was Eden Hazard. I always looked up to him,” he explained. “He made the game look so easy, so joyful. I started supporting Chelsea because of him.”
Alemayehu’s football journey has already taken him across Europe. Last season, he joined Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord on a six-month loan, hoping to make a breakthrough in one of the continent’s top academies. At the time, he was only 17, and although he showed promise, he was not quite ready for a place in the first team. After making 11 appearances at the youth level, Feyenoord ultimately decided not to activate the option to buy him permanently. He returned to Sweden, more experienced and determined to prove his worth.
That resilience is now beginning to pay off. Alemayehu has featured twice off the bench in European matches this season and is already making a strong impression. His versatility and relentless work rate have caught the attention of his coaches and teammates alike. “This is probably a dream come true for him as a Chelsea fan,” said Djurgårdens head coach Jani Honkavaara. “I really like him. He’s not afraid of anything. He’s played two times now in Europe and each time, he’s made an impact. He covers a lot of ground, helps us maintain possession, and he’s tactically smart. He’s also able to play in several different positions, which is a great asset for the team.”
Sporting director Bosse Andersson also praised the youngster’s performance and emotional connection to the goal. “I think this means a lot to him, to do this against Chelsea,” Andersson said. “It’s a fantastic goal, and it’s something he will carry with him for the rest of his career that he scored against the team he’s loved since he was a child. He’s happy, and that’s great to see. It was an emotional moment for all of us.”
For Alemayehu, this night may mark the beginning of something bigger. While still early in his professional journey, he has already shown qualities that go beyond talent resilience, ambition, and the ability to rise to the occasion. Scoring against Chelsea may have been a childhood dream fulfilled, but it could also serve as motivation for what’s to come. With maturity beyond his years and a deep love for the game, Isak Alemayehu is now a name worth remembering.
