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The 5 youngest goalscorers in Champions League history

Cesc Fabregas
"Cesc Fabregas" by wonker is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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There’s no better stage than the Champions League for young stars to showcase their talent.

The Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in world football, and over the years, there have been some exceptional young talents who have made their mark in the tournament. In this article, we take a look at the youngest goalscorers in Champions League history.

5- Cesc Fabregas (17 years 217 days)

Cesc Fàbregas made his debut for Arsenal in the 2003-04 season at just 16 years of age. The following season, he became the youngest player to score in the Champions League when he found the net against Rosenborg in a group stage match. Fàbregas went on to have a successful career with Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea, winning several trophies along the way.

4- Mateo Kovačić (17 years 215 days)

Mateo Kovačić made his Champions League debut for Dinamo Zagreb in the 2011-12 season at the age of 17. In a group stage match against Lyon, Kovačić scored his first Champions League goal, becoming the second youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history. Kovačić has since gone on to play for Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Chelsea, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the game.

3- Peter Ofori-Quaye (17 years 194 days)

Peter Ofori-Quaye made his Champions League debut for Olympiacos in the 1997-98 season at the age of 17. In a group stage match against Rosenborg, Ofori-Quaye scored a hat-trick, becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the competition. Ofori-Quaye’s career never quite reached the heights many had hoped, but his performance in that Champions League match will forever be remembered.

2- Antonio Nusa (17 years 149 days)

Antonio Nusa made his Champions League debut for Club Brugge in the 2022-23 season at the age of 17. He became the second youngest player to find the net in the competition when he came off the bench to score in his side’s remarkable 4-0 win over Porto. Nusa has established a reputation as one of the best youngsters in the Portuguese football, attracting interest from a number of elite sides.

1- Ansu Fati (17 years 40 days)

Ansu Fati made his Champions League debut for Barcelona in the 2019-20 season at the age of 16. In a group stage match against Inter Milan, Fati scored his first Champions League goal, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history. Fati has since established himself as one of the brightest young talents in world football and has become a key player for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

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