Max Dowman makes history as youngest Champions League player of all-time - Who is Arsenal starlet?
Updated 04/11/2025 at 20:45 GMT
Max Dowman made football and UEFA Champions League history, becoming the youngest player in the competition's history. At just 15 years and 308 days, Dowman came off the bench during Arsenal's 3-0 win against Slavia Prague on Tuesday, beating the previous record holder, Youssoufa Moukoko, who made his competition debut for Borussia Dortmund at 16 years and 18 days.
The moment Arsenal's Dowman, 15, made UCL history
Video credit: TNT Sports
Max Dowman made football history when he became not only Arsenal's youngest UEFA Champions League player, but the youngest player in the history of the competition.
The 15-year-old made his European debut for The Gunners as a substitute, coming off the bench in the 72nd minute of Arsenal's 3-0 win against Slavia Prague.
At just 15 years and 308 days, Dowman beat out Youssoufa Moukoko, who made his debut for Dortmund at 16 years and 18 days in 2020.
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is now the third-youngest in the competition's history, after making his debut in September 2023.
The broken record comes a week after the teenager became the youngest to start a match for Arsenal in their Carabao Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium.
Former Arsenal defender and TNT Sports pundit Martin Keown, commentating during the side's Champions League win, said that Dowman "deserves the opportunity."
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"It's incredible to see Dowman so young, coming into the team," Keown said on TNT Sports.
"He's a remarkable talent and you have to say he deserves the opportunity. Of course, he has to be protected, and they've tried to do that. I think he even wanted to play last season. Can you believe it?"
Speaking alongside him, TNT Sports commentator Sam Matterface said: "I don't think we can underplay that, he's 15 years and 308 days old. Born on New Year's Eve 2009.
"In European competition, the youngest Arsenal player to make an appearance before him was Jack Wilshere, 16 years and 329 days."
Speaking on TNT Sports' UEFA Champions League Goals Show Xtra, Joe Cole said: "I don't know what's going on, what we're feeding these wonderkids around the world.
"He's a wonderful player, I must say, you hear of things in football, his family have their heads screwed on. You cannot see this kid not getting to the top, in terms of where he can go."
Who is Max Dowman?
The latest star from the club’s Hale End academy, Dowman, is one of the most talented and promising teenagers in Europe.
The 15-year-old does not turn 16 until the end of December, but began training with the first-team last season and much of the pre-season buzz with Arsenal surrounded his inevitable inclusion this season.
He joined Arsenal’s academy in 2015, and his quality eventually saw him make his unofficial debut against AC Milan in a friendly in July.
His Premier League debut then came on August 23, coming off the bench for Arsenal's 5-0 win against Leeds United, winning a penalty and instantly showing his confidence and talent.
At 15 years 235 days, he became the second-youngest player in Premier League history to make their debut, after Arsenal team-mate Ethan Nwaneri, who debuted at 15 years and 181 days against Brentford in September 2022.
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Who are the youngest Champions League players?
| Player | Team | Age of debut | Date |
| Max Dowman | Arsenal | 15y & 308d | 04/11/2025 |
| Youssoufa Moukoko | Borussia Dortmund | 16y & 18d | 08/12/2020 |
| Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | 16y & 68d | 19/09/2023 |
| Celestine Babayaro | Anderlecht | 16y & 86d | 23/11/1994 |
| Rayan Cherki | Lyon | 16y & 102d | 27/11/2019 |
| Alen Halilovic | Dinamo Zagreb | 16y & 128d | 24/10/2012 |
| Youri Tielemans | Anderlecht | 16y & 148d | 02/10/2013 |
| Francesco Camarda | Milan | 16y & 226d | 22/10/2024 |
| Warren Zaire-Emery | Paris Saint-Germain | 16y & 231d | 25/10/2022 |
| Charalampos Mavrias | Panathinaikos | 16y & 241d | 20/10/2010 |
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