Spain’s Lamine Yamal has etched his name in EURO history as the youngest player ever to grace the tournament. At just 16 years and 338 days old, Yamal took the field against Croatia on June 15, 2024, shattering records and igniting excitement about the next generation of football talent. But Yamal is not alone in representing youthful exuberance at the EUROs. Across all competing nations, young players have consistently emerged, leaving their mark on the tournament. Let’s delve into the youngest players to have represented each of the EURO 2024 contenders and celebrate their early impact on this prestigious stage.
Albania
Youngest player: Medon Berisha, 20 years 247 days (vs Spain, EURO 2024)
Youngest scorer: Armando Sadiku, 25 years 23 days (vs Romania, EURO 2016)
Austria
Youngest player: Leopold Querfeld, 20 years 188 days (vs Netherlands, EURO 2024)
Youngest scorer: Christoph Baumgartner, 21 years 324 days (vs Ukraine, EURO 2020)
Belgium
Youngest player: Enzo Scifo, 18 years 115 days (vs Yugoslavia, EURO ’84)
Youngest scorer: Emile Mpenza, 21 years 342 days (vs Sweden, EURO 2000)
Enzo Scifo Belgium EURO 84
Belgium’s Enzo Scifo, pictured here at EURO ’84, set the benchmark for youthful participation for his nation, a record that still stands decades later. Scifo’s early introduction to international football highlights Belgium’s history of trusting young talent on the big stage.
Croatia
Youngest player: Ivan Rakitić, 20 years 94 days (vs Germany, EURO 2008)
Youngest scorer: Luka Modrić, 22 years 273 days (vs Austria, EURO 2008)
Czechia
Youngest player: Adam Hložek, 18 years 324 days (vs Scotland, EURO 2020)
Youngest scorer: Milan Baroš, 22 years 231 days (vs Latvia, EURO 2004)
Denmark
Youngest player: Michael Laudrup, 19 years 363 days (vs France, EURO ’84)
Youngest scorer: Mikkel Damsgaard, 20 years 353 days (vs Russia, EURO 2020)
Michael Laudrup Denmark EURO 1984
Michael Laudrup, a Danish legend, earned the distinction of being Denmark’s youngest EURO player back in 1984. This image captures Laudrup in action at that tournament, showcasing the beginning of a remarkable international career.
England
Youngest player: Jude Bellingham, 17 years 349 days (vs Croatia, EURO 2020)
Youngest scorer: Wayne Rooney, 18 years 237 days (vs Switzerland, EURO 2004)
France
Youngest player: Kingsley Coman, 19 years 363 days (vs Romania, EURO 2016)
Youngest scorer: Bruno Bellone, 22 years 105 days (vs Spain, EURO ’84)
Kingsley Coman France EURO 2016
Kingsley Coman’s appearance for France at EURO 2016 at the age of 19 highlights France’s continuous production of young, high-caliber players. Coman’s youthful energy was a valuable asset for the French squad during that tournament.
Georgia
Youngest player: Anzor Mekvabishvili, 23 years 13 days (vs Türkiye, EURO 2024)
Youngest scorer: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 23 years 135 days (vs Portugal, EURO 2024)
Germany
Youngest player: Lukas Podolski, 19 years 19 days (vs Czech Republic, EURO 2004)
Youngest scorer: Florian Wirtz, 21 years 42 days (vs Scotland, EURO 2024)
Hungary
Youngest player: Zoltán Varga, 19 years 171 days (vs Spain, EURO ’64)
Youngest scorer: Ferenc Bene, 19 years 183 days (vs Spain, EURO ’64)
Italy
Youngest player: Paolo Maldini, 19 years 350 days (vs West Germany, EURO ’88)
Youngest scorer: Pietro Anastasi, 20 years 64 days (vs Yugoslavia, EURO ’68)
Paolo Maldini Italy EURO 88
Paolo Maldini, a legendary figure in Italian football, holds the record as Italy’s youngest EURO player, debuting at EURO ’88. This image captures a young Maldini in action, demonstrating the early promise of a player who would become an icon.
Netherlands
Youngest player: Jetro Willems, 18 years 71 days (vs Denmark, EURO 2012)
Youngest scorer: Patrick Kluivert, 19 years 353 days (vs England, EURO ’96)
Poland
Youngest player: Kacper Kozłowski, 17 years 246 days (vs Spain, EURO 2020)
Youngest scorer: Arkadiusz Milik, 22 years 105 days (vs Northern Ireland, EURO 2016)
Portugal
Watch brilliant Sanches strike for Portugal at EURO 2016
Youngest player: Renato Sanches, 18 years 301 days (vs Iceland, EURO 2016)
Youngest scorer: Renato Sanches, 18 years 317 days (vs Poland, EURO 2016)
Romania
Youngest player: Gheorghe Hagi, 19 years 130 days (vs Spain, EURO ’84)
Youngest scorer: Cristian Chivu, 19 years 238 days (vs England, EURO 2000)
Scotland
Youngest player: Nathan Patterson, 19 years 279 days (vs Croatia, EURO 2020)
Youngest scorer: Gary McAllister, 27 years 176 days (vs Commonwealth of Independent States, EURO ’92)
Serbia
Youngest player: Dragan Stojković, 19 years 102 days (vs Belgium, EURO ’84)
Youngest scorer: Dragan Stojković, 19 years 108 days (vs France, EURO ’84)
Slovakia
Youngest player: Leo Sauer, 18 years 188 days (vs Ukraine, EURO 2024)
Youngest scorer: Ondrej Duda, 21 years 189 days (vs Wales, EURO 2016)
Ondrej Duda Slovakia EURO 2016
Ondrej Duda, pictured celebrating his goal against Wales at EURO 2016, holds the record as Slovakia’s youngest EURO scorer. Duda’s achievement underscores the impact young players can make, even in their debut major international tournaments.
Slovenia
Youngest player: Benjamin Šeško, 21 years 16 days: (vs Denmark, EURO 2024)
Youngest scorer: Miran Pavlin, 28 years 249 days (vs Yugoslavia, EURO 2000)
Spain
Youngest player: Lamine Yamal, 16 years 338 days (vs Croatia, EURO 2024)
Youngest scorer: Lamine Yamal, 16 years 362 days (vs France, EURO 2024)
Switzerland
Youngest player: Johan Vonlanthen, 18 years 137 days (vs England, EURO 2004)
Youngest scorer: Johan Vonlanthen, 18 years 141 days (vs France, EURO 2004)
Johan Vonlanthen Switzerland EURO 2004
Johan Vonlanthen’s goal celebration after scoring against France at EURO 2004 marks him as Switzerland’s youngest scorer at the tournament. Vonlanthen’s achievement is a testament to the potential for young players to shine brightly on the EURO stage.
Türkiye
Youngest player: Emre Mor, 18 years 324 days (vs Croatia, EURO 2016)
Youngest scorer: Arda Güler, 19 years 114 days (vs Georgia, EURO 2024)
Ukraine
Youngest player: Illia Zabarnyi, 18 years 285 days (vs Netherlands, EURO 2020)
Youngest scorer: Artem Dovbyk, 24 years 8 days (vs Sweden, EURO 2020)
Illia Zabarnyi Ukraine EURO 2020
Ukraine’s Illia Zabarnyi, pictured in action against the Netherlands at EURO 2020, represents the youthful talent emerging from Ukrainian football. His early EURO participation is a positive sign for the future of the national team.
The Future is Bright
Lamine Yamal’s record-breaking appearance at EURO 2024 is a powerful reminder of the continuous influx of young talent into European football. As we’ve seen across each nation’s history at the EUROs, young players are not just participating; they are making significant contributions and breaking records. From seasoned veterans who debuted young to the fresh faces making history in EURO 2024, the tournament consistently showcases the brilliance and potential of football’s rising stars. Keep an eye on these young players – they are the future of EURO competition.
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