FC Barcelona continues to set the pace when it comes to the history of Europe's biggest club competition: the UEFA Champions League. After matchday one of the 24/25 Champions League against AS Monaco (2-1), despite the defeat, a historic event unfolded for the Blaugrana on the pitch of the Stade Louis II, the home of the Monegasque team.
What happened? Well, with Lamine Yamal's historic goal, at 17 years and 68 days, he became the second youngest player in the history of the UEFA Champions League to showcase his scoring ability. This time, the forward, in what seems to be his signature move, took the ball outside the box, dribbled from right to left, and unleashed a left-footed strike. The ball sneaked into a small gap at the near post of the goal defended by Philipp Köhn.
Now, why hasn't this stunning goal from Rocafonda's own immediately positioned him as the leader among the youngest goal scorers in the history of the Champions League? Simply put, it's due to the presence of another Blaugrana who currently holds the record. In 2019, at 17 years and 40 days, Ansu Fati scored a goal in the clash between Inter Milan and the Catalan club (1-2), maintaining his record to this day.
The historic 'top 10' of the youngest goal scorers in the UEFA Champions League
- 17 years and 40 days: Ansu Fati (Inter Milan - Barcelona 1-2, 10/12/19)
- 17 years and 68 days: Lamine Yamal (Monaco - Barcelona, 19/09/24)
- 17 years and 149 days: Antonio Nusa (Porto - Bruges 0-4, 13/09/22)
- 17 years and 194 days: Peter Ofori-Quaye (Rosenborg - Olympiacos 5-1, 01/10/97)
- 17 years and 215 days: Mateo Kovacic (Dinamo Zagreb - Lyon 1-7, 07/12/11)
- 17 years and 217 days: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal - Rosenborg 5-1, 07/12/04)
- 17 years and 217 days: Bojan Krkic (Schalke - Barcelona 0-1, 01/04/08)
- 17 years and 240 days: Martin Klein (Panathinaikos - Sparta Prague 2-1, 27/02/02)
- 17 years and 263 days: Breel Embolo (Basel - Ludogorets 4-0, 04/11/14)
- 17 years and 289 days: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund - Manchester City 1-2, 14/04/21)
Bojan Krkic, another Blaugrana in this historic 'top 10'
These two young talents, it is worth noting, are not the only ones in this 'top 10' of the youngest goal scorers in the UEFA Champions League. In the seventh position, we find Bojan Krkic, who in 2008, in a match between Schalke 04 and Barça, with his goal, etched his name in this prestigious ranking, scoring at just 17 years and 217 days. A remarkable feat that demonstrates FC Barcelona's commitment to young players without hesitation, regardless of the context, fielding them in their starting eleven, and irrespective of the competition.