**Youngest Champions League Players: Opta's List**

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Post on Oct 22, 2024

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Young Guns: The Youngest Champions League Players Ever

Whoa, you think you're good at FIFA? You think you're the next Messi or Ronaldo? Think again, because these guys were already dominating the Champions League before you could even spell "football" (or "soccer" if you're American, eh!).

The UEFA Champions League is a big deal, the biggest deal in club football. It's where the crème de la crème of players get to shine and prove they're the best. And some players have been doing it from an incredibly young age.

Opta, a leading football stats provider, has compiled a list of the youngest players to ever grace the Champions League stage. It's a list that's sure to leave you jaw-dropped, and maybe even a little envious.

The Top 10 Youngest Champions League Players

Number 1: **Celestine Babayaro (16 years, 86 days) - **This Nigerian left-back made his Champions League debut for Anderlecht in 1994. At just 16 years old, he was already making waves and showing off his incredible skills.

Number 2: Youri Tielemans (16 years, 148 days) - This Belgian midfielder made his debut for Anderlecht in 2013. He's since gone on to play for Monaco and Leicester City, becoming one of the most highly-regarded young players in the world.

Number 3: **Noureddine Naybet (16 years, 179 days) - **This Moroccan defender made his debut for Raja Casablanca in 1991. He went on to have a long and successful career, playing for Deportivo La Coruña and Tottenham Hotspur.

Number 4: Moussa Dembélé (16 years, 222 days) - This French striker made his debut for Paris Saint-Germain in 2013. He's since smashed goals for clubs like Fulham, Celtic, and Lyon.

Number 5: Bojan Krkić (17 years, 19 days) - This Spanish forward made his debut for Barcelona in 2007. He's played for a ton of clubs, including Roma, Milan, and Stoke City, and is known for his slick moves and killer finishing.

Number 6: Wayne Rooney (16 years, 363 days) - This English forward made his debut for Everton in 2003. You know the rest. He went on to be a legendary player for Manchester United, scoring over 250 goals in the Premier League!

Number 7: Francisco Feuillassier (16 years, 364 days) - This Spanish midfielder made his debut for Deportivo La Coruña in 2004. He's a rising star with a lot of potential.

Number 8: Peter Ofori-Quaye (17 years, 41 days) - This Ghanaian forward made his debut for Olympique Marseille in 1997. He went on to play for Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Number 9: Matthew Briggs (16 years, 364 days) - This English defender made his debut for Fulham in 2007. He had a few solid seasons in the Premier League before moving to Scotland.

Number 10: John Arne Riise (17 years, 44 days) - This Norwegian defender made his debut for Aalesund in 1999. He played for Liverpool and Roma before retiring in 2015.

The Takeaway

These young players have all shown incredible talent and dedication to reach the pinnacle of European football. They've inspired countless young players to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

So, if you're dreaming of playing in the Champions League someday, don't let age be a barrier. Go out there, train hard, and never give up. You never know, you might just be the next big name on the Champions League stage!