There have been 221 previous editions of Goal's World Player of the Week award. However, it is doubtful whether any previous recipient of the accolade has had a more spectacularly life-changing seven days than our latest winner, Zakaria Bakkali.
On Wednesday evening, in what was just his third appearance for PSV, the 17-year-old Belgian marked his Champions League debut with an exquisitely executed volley in a 3-0 win over Zulte Waregem.
Less than 24 hours later, he had been named in Marc Wilmots' Belgium squad for next week's friendly against France. There were those who questioned the wisdom of calling up a teenager on the back of just three competitive outings and one goal in professional football.
However, now there is nothing but incredible excitement at Bakkali's likely international debut in Brussels, with the winger having not only celebrated but justified his inclusion with a stunning hat-trick in PSV's 5-0 demolition of NEC on Saturday night.
As Goal Netherlands' Seran van Gemert explains, the Standard Liege academy product's sensational exploits not only wrote his place in the history books, but created an instant sense of anticipation and excitement around his potential.
"Bakkali has gone from an unknown youth player to a rising star in just two games," he enthused.
"His volley against Zulte was sublime but it was his hat-trick against NEC that was truly special, because it saw him become the youngest hat-trick scorer in the history of the Eredivisie.
"What's more, the nimble winger has actually amazed Dutch and Belgian supporters alike with his Brazilian-like trickery and ball control. He is capable of beating three players in a split-second, while his finishing also of high class.
"He has absolutely tormented every defence that has had the misfortune to come across him and seems to have the ability to continue doing so for years to come."
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