UEFA Champions League: 5 Youngest Players to Feature in the 2024-25 Edition

The UEFA Champions League is the most unforgiving competition in Europe. So, naturally, teams tend to field their best players, players who know what it is like to thrive under the weight of expectations.

Due to their lack of experience, teenagers rarely get the opportunity to feature in the competition, with only a handful of teams opting to place their faith in youth. In today’s list, we will meet five lucky individuals who have been trusted to represent their clubs in the ruthless Champions League.

Here are the five youngest players who have featured in the Champions League this season:

#5 George Ilenikhena (Monaco): 18 Years 1 Month

AS Monaco kicked off their 2024-25 UEFA Champions League campaign with a shock 2-1 win over Hansi Flick’s Barcelona. George Ilenikhena, who made his European debut at 18 years and one month, played a starring role.

The young center-forward scored the winning goal in the 71st minute — 12 minutes after coming on. He used his explosive pace to get away from the Barca backline before applying a thumping finish to make it 2-1 for the Ligue 1 outfit.

#4 Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona): 17 Years 7 Months

Barcelona has a long-standing history of giving teenagers their due chance, and Pau Cubarsi is one of the most recent beneficiaries of the club’s policy. Aged 17 years and seven months, the center-back lined up alongside Inigo Martinez as the Blaugrana battled with AS Monaco in their UEFA Champions League opener.

Unfortunately, however, Cubarsi did not get the chance to finish the game, as Hansi Flick hooked him a few minutes after Monaco scored their second goal.

Cubarsi, who officially joined the senior team from Barca Atletic in January 2024, has so far played 33 games for the Catalonian outfit, claiming two assists.

#3 Geovany Quenda (Sporting CP): 17 Years 4 Months

Aged 17 years and four months, Sporting CP right-winger Geovany Quenda made his UEFA Champions League debut against LOSC Lille on Matchday 1. He got the nod from the start and produced a lively performance as Sporting came away with a 2-0 victory over Lille. Quenda, unfortunately, could not score or assist in that game.

Quenda, who officially graduated from Sporting U23 in July 2024, has played just nine games for the senior team in all competitions so far, scoring once and claiming an assist.

#2 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): 17 Years 2 Months

Easily the most high-profile teenager on the planet, Lamine Yamal unsurprisingly started for Barcelona as the club commenced their UEFA Champions League journey with a clash against AS Monaco. Yamal, who became the youngest European Championship winner over the summer, produced a fine performance, scoring the equalizer for the Blaugrana in the 28th minute. Barca, however, could not save the game as George Ilenikhena sealed maximum points for Monaco.

The 17-years-and-two-months-old winger first broke into the team under Xavi in 2022-23. Since his promotion, Yamal has played 60 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 12 times and providing 14 assists.

#1 Ayyoub Bouaddi (LOSC Lille): 16 Years 11 Months

Aged only 16 years and 11 months, LOSC Lille man Ayyoub Bouaddi is the youngest player in the UEFA Champions League this season. The central midfielder attained the feat when he appeared for Lille’s 2-0 defeat to Sporting CP on Matchday 1. Bouaddi came off the bench in the 64th minute but could not help his team avoid an opening-day setback.

Bouaddi became a part of Lille’s squad in the 2023-24 season. So far, he has played 24 games for them in all competitions, providing an assist.