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'African Lionel Messi' Youssoufa Moukoko Makes UEFA Champions League History

'African Lionel Messi' Youssoufa Moukoko Makes UEFA Champions League History

1) Youssoufa Moukoko (16 years, 18 days)

Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko, who has been dubbed the "African Lionel Messi", cemented his name in the UEFA Champions League's history books on Tuesday evening.

Click through the mini-gallery above to see the youngest players in UCL history!

Earlier this season, Moukoko became the youngest player in Bundesliga history when he made his top-flight debut a day after turning 16 in BVB's 5-2 win over Hertha BSC Berlin.

As he continues his rise, the skilful striker, who was born in Cameroon, broke Celestine Babayaro's record for the youngest player in the history of the Champions League on Tuesday.

Moukoko came off the bench during Dortmund's 2-1 win over Zenit St. Petersburg in the 58th minute, with his side trailing 1-0.

Although he was not involved in either of the two goals that would secure the win for his team, both were scored after he had entered the pitch to give the Bundesliga side new attacking impetus.

As a consequence, he is now the youngest player in the competition's history, at the age of 16 years and 18 days.

Read: The Youngest Players In History Of Europe's Top Leagues Revealed

Babayaro set his record on 23 November 1994, when he featured for Anderlecht against Steaua Bucharest at the tender age of 16 years and 87 days.

However, the Nigerian went on to secure another, less impressive, record in that game, becoming the tournament's youngest player ever to be sent off, just 37 minutes into his debut. 

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