Top 10 Youngest Champions League Players In The World 2025

List Of Top 10 Youngest Champions League Players In The World 2025:

The UEFA Champions League has been a showcase for amazing talents for a long time, where young players break records and make a name for themselves around the world. Teenagers who started playing in the league at very young ages, typically under the watchful eye of Europe's top clubs, will have the most history by 2025. Based on their ages when they first played in the event, this list counts the top 10 youngest players to ever play in the tournament since it began in 1992. These wonderkids, many of whom have gone on to have great careers or are still becoming stars, show how modern football is a mix of raw talent and pressure. Their stories show how the Champions League helps make legends, from record-breaking starts to later successes.

1. Youssoufa Moukoko:

Youssoufa Moukoko is the youngest player ever to play in the UEFA Champions League. He made his debut for Borussia Dortmund against Zenit St. Petersburg on December 8, 2020, when he was only 16 years and 18 days old. The German striker, who was born in Cameroon, came off the bench in a 2-1 win and broke Celestine Babayaro's record by 68 days. He quickly became a star in European football. Moukoko was born on November 20, 2004, and his rise to this point was meteoric. Before he turned 16, he had already broken youth records at Dortmund, scoring 141 goals in 88 games for their U17 and U19 teams. He had only made his Bundesliga debut a few weeks earlier, at the age of 16 years and 1 day, against Hertha Berlin. This made him even more of a prodigy. Even though there was a lot of talk about him at first, Moukoko had problems, such as not getting enough playing time with the first team and a controversial age dispute in late 2024 that questioned his birth records but was ultimately decided in his favor by FIFA. He had moved to FC Copenhagen on a permanent deal by 2025, when he was 20 years old. He had already played for Nice and other clubs on loan. He continues to show off his clinical finishing and speed, having made over 50 senior appearances in different leagues. Moukoko's first game in the Champions League is still a high point for young players, showing how the tournament brings together talent and opportunity.

2. Lamine Yamal:

Lamine Yamal made his Champions League debut at the age of 16 years and 68 days, coming on as a substitute for Barcelona against Royal Antwerp on September 19, 2023, in a 5-0 group-stage win. The Spanish winger, who was born on July 13, 2007, in Esplugues de Llobregat, not only held his own but quickly became a star. Just weeks later, at 16 years and 83 days old, he became Barcelona's youngest-ever starter in the competition against Porto. Yamal's flair—dazzling dribbles, precise crosses, and composure beyond his years—earned him the record as the youngest player to start a Champions League knockout match (16 years and 223 days vs. Napoli) and the youngest to reach 20 appearances (17 years and 270 days). At 18, he made history again by scoring the second-youngest goal in the tournament (17 years and 68 days against Monaco), giving the youngest assist, and becoming the youngest player to score and assist in the same game (17 years and 241 days against Benfica). His contributions helped Barcelona get to the semi-finals in 2024/25, where he scored in a 3-3 draw with Inter. Internationally, Yamal's Euro 2024 success with Spain aged 16 made him the youngest player and goalscorer in Euros ever. Yamal won the Ballon d'Or Kopa Trophy in 2024. He is a great example of Barcelona's La Masia history, combining inventiveness with maturity to become one of the most exciting players in the world.

3. Celestine Babayaro:

Celestine Babayaro made Champions League history as its inaugural teenage sensation, debuting aged 16 years and 86 days old for Anderlecht against Steaua București on November 23, 1994, in a 1-1 group-stage draw. The Nigerian left-back, who was born on August 29, 1978, in Kaduna, started the game but made history by becoming the youngest player to get a red card in the tournament just 37 minutes in, after a contentious challenge. This debut, in the tournament's early modern period, highlighted Babayaro's raw athleticism and persistence, attributes that pushed him to a brilliant career. After Anderlecht, where he won the Belgian Pro League, Babayaro joined Chelsea in 1997 for a then-club-record £2.25 million for a teenager, becoming the first Nigerian at the club. Over eight seasons, he amassed over 200 games, contributing to successes including the 1998 UEFA Super Cup, 2000 FA Cup, and a spectacular 1999/2000 Champions League quarter-final run—ironically halted by a red card against Barcelona. He was a fan favorite because he could play both left-back and midfielder, and he was fast and good at crossing. However, injuries and disciplinary difficulties sometimes got in the way of his advancement. By 2005, he transferred to Newcastle United, adding 51 Premier League games before retiring in 2010 amid trials with Portsmouth and LA Galaxy. Now 47 in 2025, Babayaro works as an FA-licensed agent in Nigeria, his business ventures including ambassadorships, while reflecting on a career that bridged African talent to European elite.

4. Rayan Cherki:

At the age of 16 years and 102 days, Rayan Cherki made history in the Champions League when he came on as a substitute for Lyon against Zenit St. Petersburg on November 27, 2019, in a 2-0 group-stage loss. The French-Algerian offensive midfielder, who was born in Lyon on August 17, 2003, had already impressed in the UEFA Youth League that season with four goals in three games, showing that he was a creative player. Cherki's debut came shortly after his Ligue 1 bow, and he promptly became Lyon's youngest-ever scorer at 16 years and 140 days in the Coupe de France. His smooth dribbling, good vision, and ability to use both hands made some think of Lionel Messi. He stood out in the 2020 Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, where he was the youngest player to play at that level. By 2025, Cherki had played for Lyon more than 185 times, scoring 29 goals and setting up 45 more. He helped the team reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League and won the U23 Ligue 1 Player of the Month award several times. Internationally, he debuted for France's senior team in June 2025, scoring and assisting in a Nations League semi-final loss to Spain. That summer, Manchester City signed him for an estimated €45 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his Premier League debut against Wolves. Cherki will be 22 in 2025 when he moves to the Premier League under Pep Guardiola. His low center of gravity and unpredictability make him a nightmare for defenders.

5. Alen Halilović:

On October 24, 2012, Alen Halilović made his Champions League debut for Dinamo Zagreb against Paris Saint-Germain. He came on in the 90th minute of a 0-0 group-stage tie. The Croatian attacking midfielder was born on June 18, 1996, in Dubrovnik. Earlier that year, he became Dinamo's youngest début (16 years and 101 days) and goalscorer, making him a national phenomenon. Alen came from a footballing family; his father is former pro Sejad Halilović. In 2014, he joined Barcelona's academy for €2.2 million, although he had a hard time getting first-team minutes and only played once for the senior club. After that, he went on loan to Sporting Gijón, Hamburg, and Reading, where he scored a La Liga goal at 19 but had trouble with injuries and adjusting. He was a free agent with Birmingham City in 2020, then at Reading, and then he went back to Croatia with Rijeka in 2022. Halilović signed with Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie in 2023. There, he found stability, scored important goals, and extended his contract until 2026. He had nearly 200 professional games at 29 in 2025, yet he remembers his hype as a "kid who wanted to enjoy football." He says that guidance from Cesc Fàbregas helped him stay strong. Halilović's story is one of promise that was never kept. He is now a successful creative No. 10 in the Netherlands.

6. Youri Tielemans:

Youri Tielemans was only 16 years and 148 days old when he played in the Champions League for the first time. He started for Anderlecht against Olympiacos on October 2, 2013, and they lost 3-0 in the group stage. The midfielder, who was born on May 7, 1997, in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, had only played in the Belgian Pro League for a few months before that, at the age of 16 years and 82 days. His vision and energy from box to box earned him comparisons to Frank Lampard. Tielemans won two league titles with Anderlecht and scored 35 goals in 185 games. In 2017, he moved to Monaco for €25 million. There, he won the Ligue 1 title for the 2016/17 season and scored five goals in the Europa League to help his team reach the quarter-finals. Loans to Leicester City in 2019 turned into a permanent £40 million deal in 2023 as he scored two goals in the semi-finals to help them win the FA Cup in 2021. At the age of 28, Tielemans joined Aston Villa in 2025. His ability to take set pieces and pass the ball well helped the team qualify for the 2024/25 Champions League. He made his international debut for Belgium at the age of 19 and has since played in 56 games, including Euro 2024. Tielemans' career shows consistent growth, with a mix of young talent and tactical maturity in the intense Premier League.

7. Francesco Camarda:

Francesco Camarda made his Champions League debut for AC Milan against Club Brugge on October 22, 2024, when he was 16 years and 226 days old. He came on as a substitute in the 75th minute of a 3-1 group-stage win, making him the youngest Italian and Milan player in the competition's history. The striker, who was born in Milan on March 10, 2008, was already the youngest player to ever play in Serie A (15 years and 260 days old against Fiorentina in 2023). Camarda has been a part of the Milan academy since he was nine years old. He won the 2024 UEFA U17 European Championship Player of the Tournament award for his aerial skills, finishing, and movement. He scored four goals for Italy. His near-goal against Brugge, which was ruled out by VAR, would have made him the youngest scorer in history. In 2025, when he was 17, Camarda had been leased to Lecce with the option to buy him back. He scored twice in Coppa Italia Serie C for Milan's reserves and started Serie A matches, including two goals against Cagliari. His 1.89m frame and poacher's instinct make him similar to Haaland. He has scored 483 youth goals in 87 games, making him Milan's "hometown hero." He balances playing with seniors with developing to avoid fatigue.

8. Warren Zaïre-Emery:

Warren Zaïre-Emery made his Champions League debut for Paris Saint-Germain against Maccabi Haifa on October 25, 2022, when he was 16 years and 219 days old. PSG won 7-2, making him the youngest European player ever. The central midfielder, who was born on March 8, 2006, in Montreuil, made his first-team debut that year at the age of 16 years and 151 days against Clermont. He was the youngest player to ever play for PSG. Zaïre-Emery's debut season saw him start a knockout match against Bayern Munich at 16 years and 343 days—the youngest ever—and score his first senior goal at 16 years and 330 days. He was only 19 when he played 100 times for PSG, becoming him the youngest player to accomplish that milestone. He won Ligue 1 in 2022/23 and 2023/24. He scored his first Champions League goal at the age of 17 years and 280 days against Dortmund in 2023, making him the youngest French player to do so. He made his international debut for Les Bleus at the age of 17 years and 245 days against Gibraltar in 2023, becoming him the youngest player to do so. People have compared Zaïre-Emery's calmness, tackling, and passing to Kanté's. Under Luis Enrique, he anchors PSG's midfield, helping them reach the semi-finals in 2024/25 and getting a contract extension until 2029.

9. Charalampos Mavrias:

Charalampos Mavrias played in the Champions League for Panathinaikos against Rubin Kazan on October 20, 2010. He was 16 years and 241 days old at the time. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, and he came on in the 78th minute, making him Greece's youngest player ever. The winger was born on Zakynthos on February 21, 1994. He joined Panathinaikos' academy when he was 13 and earned a professional contract when he was 15. He scored his first goal in Europe when he was 18 years old in the 2012 qualifiers against Motherwell. Mavrias played 50 times and scored five goals for the Greens before moving to Sunderland in 2013 for £2.5 million. He had trouble with injuries and only started 22 Premier League games. After that, he was loaned to Fortuna Düsseldorf and Swindon, and then he moved to Rijeka permanently in 2017, where he won the Croatian Cup. He joined APOEL Nicosia in 2020 and won more league titles. He then returned to Greece with Panetolikos at the age of 29 in 2023. Mavrias played more than 300 senior games and was known for his speed and crossing on the right wing, but he couldn't stay consistent. He is still a regular performer in the Super League in 2025, and he thinks back on his early fame as a way to move higher in his career.

10. Kenneth Zohore:

Kenneth Zohore made his Champions League debut for FC Copenhagen against Barcelona on October 20, 2010, when he was 16 years and 262 days old. He came on in the 74th minute of a 1-1 group-stage tie at Camp Nou, making him one of the youngest players to face such tough competition. The Danish-Ivorian striker was born in Copenhagen on January 31, 1994. He became pro earlier that year at 16 years and 35 days, making him the youngest player in Superliga history. He scored his first professional goal 10 days after his UCL debut. Zohore helped Copenhagen win the title in 2010/11, although he never appeared for Fiorentina when he was 18. Instead, he went on loan to Brøndby and IFK Göteborg. He got back into shape at Odense before moving to Cardiff City in 2016. There, he scored 23 goals in three seasons in the Championship, which helped them be promoted to the Premier League in 2018. He scored once in 20 games in the top tier before moving to West Brom for £8 million in 2019. He scored nine goals in 42 games, but he was hurt a lot. He then went on loan to Millwall and Randers. By 2025, when he was 31, Zohore was playing for BK Fremad Amager in Denmark's second tier. He was a target man threat because of his 6'2" build and strength, but his disciplinary problems kept him from reaching his full potential.