Konstantinos Karetsas made a bit of history again on Monday evening. The sixteen-year-old midfielder provided an assist that led to RC Genk's victory over Mark van Bommel's Antwerp FC (1-0) and became the youngest player ever to provide an assist in the Belgian league.

Karetsas recently made his debut as a substitute for Genk in the away match against Cercle Brugge. On Monday, coach Domenico Oliveri placed him in the starting lineup for the first time.

The teenager learned this on Saturday, much to his own surprise. "I was in shock because I didn't expect it. Last night, I lay awake for an hour, but in the end, I slept quite well," said Genk's gem, who quickly lost his nerves after his first touches of the ball.

With an assist to Andi Zeqiri, Karetsas repaid his coach's trust as early as the 28th minute. The 1.71-meter left-footer, who scored once for the reserves last year and also broke a record, frequently stood out with his actions. Oliveri did not give him many instructions. "You shouldn't make a player like that more nervous than he already is. If you see what he showed today, it's a sign of great quality. He is a boy with a bright future."

For Karetsas, it was a dream come true, especially when Zeqiri scored from his pass. "I didn't know what was happening when Andi scored," stammered the Belgian teenager, whose name was immediately chanted by the Genk fans, as the team finally won again in the playoffs after four consecutive losses. Despite all the praise, Karetsas remains down-to-earth. "These are all nice words, but I keep my head calm and my feet on the ground."

And so the record-setting teenager reported back to school on Tuesday morning, as shown in a photo shared by Genk on their social media channels. "At half-past eight, I have math. Am I good at it? Not really, but I try my best. I have no idea what to expect at school. We'll see. Many of my teachers support Genk. They will probably be happy. In any case, I won't be going to bed early tonight," he laughed.

Karetsas's journey is an inspiring story for many young aspiring footballers. Balancing school and professional sports is no easy feat, yet Karetsas seems to handle it with grace and humility. His performance on the field reflects his hard work and dedication, while his attitude off the field shows a maturity beyond his years. This combination of talent and character is what makes him a standout player.

Genk’s faith in young talents like Karetsas is part of their broader strategy to develop homegrown players who can perform at the highest levels of competition. Karetsas’s rise to prominence is a testament to the club's excellent youth development program. The excitement around his future is palpable among the fans, who are eager to see how far this young star can go.

As the team prepares for their next challenges, including crucial playoff matches, Karetsas’s contributions will be vital. His ability to stay grounded despite the growing attention will serve him well as he continues to navigate his burgeoning career. For now, though, he remains focused on his immediate goals both on the pitch and in the classroom.