Suphanat Mueanta: Profile, playing style, scouting report

The forward has already established himself as a star in Thai football

Suphanat Mueanta hails from a Southeast Asian country Thailand, he plays as a forward for Buriram United and the Thailand national team, he is the younger brother of Supachok Sarachat.

He made history at a mere 15 years of age, becoming the youngest player to ever feature in a Thai League match. One year later, he set the record for being the youngest goal scorer in both AFC Champions League and Thai League history.

Player history

In 2021, the Buriram United youngster was voted the best player in ASEAN football, born on or after January 1, 2002. Buriram United attacker Suphanat Mueanta was crowned the inaugural winner of NXGN ASEAN 2021 after being voted the best teenage footballer in the region.

The Thailand wonderkid was rewarded for an exceptional start to his first-team career at the Chang Arena, during which time he has broken countless records, including becoming the youngest-ever goal scorer in the Thai League 1. The 20-year-old is also the youngest player to find the net in the history of the AFC Champions League, and has already made his international debut at senior level.

Playing Style

He’s a natural right winger who is comfortable on the left or through the middle, if required, his desire to win the ball up the attacking end of the field makes him a perfect fit for the modern game; he runs willingly and plays with great energy and he loves the ball at his feet. Suphanat has unprecedently improved and flourished in his early years, becoming a key player for the Thunder Castle and directly contributing to 30% of their goals this season.

Mueanta is a pacy attacking winger, he likes to have the ball at his feet or to chase overtop to utilize his pace. He likes to cut inside with the ball and opens up when the ball is in a dangerous position. Despite his height, he scores a lot of goals with his head exploding into the box and his finishing is at a very good level. The majority of goals that he has scored are with right foot, he presses from the front well putting pressure as soon as the opposition player takes his first touch.

He is well suited to playing on the counter with his electric pace, and final-third decisiveness, and he has a great ability to pick out a pass and finish. He has a similar type of play as the young midfielder from England, Noni Madueke, currently representing England in the U21 Euros, he opened the scoring against Georgia in their first match. The English midfielder was impressed by Cristiano Ronaldo before he started playing. Leicester City are very keen to sign the Thai striker, whether Thai international players, such as generational talent Suphanat Mueanta, can overcome England’s rigid work permit regulations to compete in the English Premier League.

He has an impressive trophy collection already at 20 years of age; 3x Thai Premier League (17-18, 21-22, 22-23), 1x Thailand Champions Cup winner (18-19), 2x Thai Cup winner (21-22, 22-23) 2x Thai Cup winner (21-22,22-23), 2x Thai League Cup winner (21-22,22-23) and 1x AFF Championship winners with Thailand.