Melbourne City’s Academy continues to shine on the national stage, with four of our young stars selected in Carl Veart’s first Joeys squad ahead of this month’s International Youth Football Tournament in Niigata, Japan.
Beckham Baker, Akeem Gerald, Luke Becvinovski and Julian Recchia have all earned a place in the 24-player squad that will take on Wales, Japan and Niigata across the week-long tournament.
The call-ups mark another proud moment for City’s Academy, which has continued to develop some of the brightest emerging talents in Australian football throughout an impressive 2025 season.
A breakthrough year for Baker
Fresh off a standout VPL1 campaign where he notched 20 goal involvements, Beckham Baker has been rewarded with another step forward in his career. The 17-year-old attacker also made his senior debut for City earlier this month, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in our Australia Cup clash with APIA Leichhardt.
His combination of creativity and composure in the final third has made him one of the Academy’s standout performers this year.
Gerald goes international
At just 15 years old, Akeem Gerald has already captured plenty of attention with his dynamic attacking play and fearless approach.
The youngest player to ever debut for City’s senior Men’s side, Gerald has enjoyed a rapid rise in 2025 and will now take another big step as he dons the green and gold on the international stage.
Becvinovski firing at all levels
Another 15-year-old forward making headlines, Luke Becvinovski has been prolific across multiple age groups. After topping the scoring charts at last year’s National Championships, he’s continued that form with City’s Development Squad this season, netting 18 goals in just 14 appearances. Becvinovski has also made an impact at senior VPL1 level, scoring three goals in seven appearances, including a memorable winner on debut.
Recchia’s leadership rewarded
Renowned for his leadership qualities, Julian Recchia has captained almost every side he’s played in across both Academy and state level.
A technically gifted midfielder, he’s been amongst the goals this year, scoring 14 times in 23 Development Squad appearances while also stepping up for three matches at VPL1 level. His call-up reflects both his consistency and his character as a leader among his peers.
