Top seven youngest scorers in UEFA Euro history

Some of these players have gone on to become household names in the game.

The current 26-man squad limit in the recent UEFA Euro has allowed several national team coaches to include young players to impart experience to them. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala and Pedri have all impressed for their clubs and will be looking to set the international stage on fire. In the past, the UEFA Euro have seen some of the best youngters, who have gone on to become household names in the game.

Here are the seven youngest scorers in the history of the UEFA Euro.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 19 years 127 days

The Portuguese superstar came into the 2004 Euros as the Golden Boy, poised to take over by storm. The Euros was to be his stepping stone to national team success and he ended up scoring his first international goal when he headed in Luis Figo’s cross against Greece in the opening match.

Although, Portugal ended up losing the match, the tournament will be remembered as the debut stage for one of the greatest players of all time in the international circuit.

6. Adra Guler – 19 years and 114 days

Adra Guler is now the 5th youngest goal scorer in the history of UEFA Euros. He also broke Ronaldo’s record and became the youngest player to score on his Euro debut. Guler scored during the 2024 edition against Georgia as Turkey went on to win 3-1.

Also Read: Top five youngest players to feature in UEFA Euro history

5. Dragan Stojkovic – 19 years 108 days

The current Serbian manager held the record of being at the top spot among the youngest scorers in the history of the UEFA Euro. He held on to the record for four years before Wayne Rooney broke it in the 2004 edition of the tournament.

His late penalty for a Yugoslavian side might have been mere consolation in a 3-2 loss against France, but it registered on a historical note. After Yugoslavia took the lead in the first half, a Platini hat-trick saw them trail  3-1 before Stojkovic’s goal made it more respectable.

4. Renato Sanches – 18 years 317 days

After what was a stellar 2015-16 season in Benfica, Renato Sanches came into the Euros to lend some flair and energy to Fernando Santos’ side. The 2016 Golden Boy had secured a move to one of the top Euopean teams, at Bayern Munich and he validated that with his performances for his nation.

The apex of his time at Portugal came when he scored against Poland to grab the third spot among youngest scorers in the history of the UEFA Euro. Portugal were trailing against dark horses Poland, who had taken the lead through Lewandowski in just the second minute. Nani combined with Sanches to set up a shot for the latter just outside of the box. Fabianski was left grasping at air as the ball whizzed past him into the nets.

3. Wayne Rooney – 18 years 237 days

Ronaldo grabbed the second spot among the youngest scorers in the history of UEFA Euro against Greece on June 12, 2004. It took Wayne Rooney another five days to break Ronaldo’s record and even surpass Stojkovic when he headed in a sublime effort against Switzerland in the second match of the group stages.

Rooney was already making waves in the Premier League by then and he stamped his authority on the national stage when he tucked in from Michael Owen’s short cross. The goal was the first of his two goals in the 3-0 victory, making him also the youngest ever player to score a brace in the Euros.

2.  Johann Vonlanthen – 18 years 141 days

Wayne Rooney held the record for four days before Johan Vonlanthen, scored the equalizer for Switzerland in the last match of the group stage against France. Cabanas slipped in a through ball that allowed Vonlanthen to receive it behind the defense, allowing him to score.

Switzerland eventually lost the game and were knocked out but Vonlanthen’s sleek goal found a place in the history books.

1. Lamine Yamal- 16 years 362 days

Lamine Yamal made history by scoring an equalizer for Spain against France in the 21st minute, becoming the youngest goalscorer at 16 years old. Born on July 13, 2007, Yamal’s breakthrough moment came during the UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Known for his exceptional dribbling and vision, he plays for Barcelona. His goal not only levelled the match but also highlighted his potential as one of football’s promising young talents.

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