Arsenal youngster tops list: 10 youngest in Champions League history | OneFootball

With his substitution in yesterday's 3-0 victory against Slavia Prague, Max Dowman has become the youngest debutant in the history of the Champions League. Arsenal's midfielder now leads a ranking that has reflected a youth craze in the top tier since 2020.

10th Place: Charalampos Mavrias

The right-back got his first taste of Champions League action on 20.10.2010 at the tender age of 16 years, seven months, and 29 days. Playing for Panathinaikos Athens, the Greek started the match and helped secure a 0-0 draw against Rubin Kazan in 78 minutes of play.

9th Place: Warren Zaïre-Emery

The Champions League debut of PSG's jewel was over three years ago. It happened on 25.10.2022, exactly 16 years, seven months, and 17 days after Zaïre-Emery's birth. In a 7-2 thrashing against Maccabi Haifa, the Frenchman got to play for eleven minutes after being substituted in.

📸 Masashi Hara - 2022 Getty Images

8th Place: Francesco Camarda

The Italian made his first appearance in the top tier just over a year ago, on 22.10.2024. At 16 years, seven months, and twelve days old, the center forward helped AC Milan secure a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge.

7th Place: Youri Tielemans

The Belgian was allowed to play the full distance for RSC Anderlecht at just 16 years, four months, and 25 days old. However, on October 2, 2013, there was little to smile about for Tielemans: his team lost 0-3 to Olympiakos Piraeus.

6th Place: Alen Halilovic

Once celebrated as a wonderkid, Halilovic got to play a few minutes for Dinamo Zagreb against PSG on 24.10.2012. He was 16 years, four months, and six days old.

📸 AFP - 2012 AFP

5th Place: Rayan Cherki

The winger also had to endure a defeat on his debut on 27.11.2019. Born 16 years, three months, and ten days prior, Olympique Lyon lost 0-2 to Zenit St. Petersburg with Cherki.

4th Place: Celestine Babayaro

Unfamiliar name? His first Champions League match dates back to November 23, 1994. At 16 years, two months, and 25 days old, he might have been a bit green. He was sent off with a second yellow card after 37 minutes.

3rd Place: Lamine Yamal

September 19, 2023, is still fondly remembered by most Barça fans. The designated Messi heir made his first appearance on Europe's biggest stage, just two months and six days after his 16th birthday.

2nd Place: Youssoufa Moukoko

Former BVB striker Youssoufa Moukoko was dethroned yesterday. Only 18 days after turning 16, he witnessed Dortmund overturn a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 victory against Zenit St. Petersburg on December 8, 2020, after being substituted in.

📸 OLGA MALTSEVA

1st Place: Max Dowman

The Arsenal raw diamond was just an absurd 15 years, ten months, and four days old at his substitution against Slavia Prague yesterday.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Gabriel Kuchta - 2025 Getty Images