Category Sports News

Max Dowman, a substitute for Max in the 3-0 win over Slavia Prague, has become the youngest player to play in a Champions League game.

The forward, who was 15 years and 308 days old, broke the record set by Youssoufa Moukoko when the German played for Borussia Dortmund against Zenit for 16 years and 18 days.

In the 72nd minute, Dowman replaced Leandro Trossard in the absence of Dowman, whose record-breaking league run-off was set in 1903, as Arsenal recorded its 10th win in a row and eighth clean sheet in a row.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta praised the team’s performance, saying: “Max, at 15, immediately looked on and won free kicks. It doesn’t get any harder than this competition.”

He plays in a way that makes people very eye contact. He masters precisely timing the ball’s movement. There is a significant player there.

Six days prior to Dowman becoming the youngest Arsenal player to start a game since winning the EFL Cup against Brighton, he made a landmark.

Since he was 14 years old, Dowman has joined the first team for a warm-weather camp in Dubai in January 2024. He has been training with Arsenal’s first-team squad.

In the second half of last year, Arteta lacked attacking options due to the injuries of several key players, and supporters were already calling for the Englishman to get a chance.

Dowman, who won the Under-17s European Championship with England in May, is no stranger to setting records.

He also became England Under-19s’ youngest goalscorer last month.

So it should come as no surprise that he has been included in Arteta’s plans this term as the Gunners battle for success on four fronts.

Arsenal has taken steps to ensure both his career advancement and safeguarding with a player with such high potential competing in senior football.

In addition to these, he is given opportunities to get changed, his education is strongly prioritized, and his team-mates give him good support in an adult team setting.

Arteta and the club have taken caution in guiding Dowman’s development.

Moukoko broke the 26-year mark by becoming the youngest player in the world’s elite competition five years ago.

Celestine Babayaro, a former Chelsea full-back, was the youngest player at the age of 16 years and 86 days when he first competed for Anderlecht at Steaua Bucharest in November 1994.

Lamine Yamal started for Barcelona in September 2023, starting against Antwerp with a time of 16 years and 68 days, second on the list.

Champions League players’ youngest:

1. Max Dowman (Arsenal) – 15 years and 308 days, 4 November 2025

2 Youssoufa Moukoko – 16 years 18 days, 8 December 2020

3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – 16 years and 68 days, 19 Sept 2023

4. Celestine Babayaro (Anderlecht) – 16 years and 86 days, 23 Nov 1994

Max Dowman, a substitute for Max in the 3-0 win over Slavia Prague, has become the youngest player to play in a Champions League game.

The forward, who was 15 years and 308 days old, broke the record set by Youssoufa Moukoko when the German played for Borussia Dortmund against Zenit for 16 years and 18 days.

In the 72nd minute, Dowman replaced Leandro Trossard in the absence of Dowman, whose record-breaking league run-off was set in 1903, as Arsenal recorded its 10th win in a row and eighth clean sheet in a row.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta praised the team’s performance, saying: “Max, at 15, immediately looked on and won free kicks. It doesn’t get any harder than this competition.”

He plays in a way that makes people very eye contact. He masters precisely timing the ball’s movement. There is a significant player there.

Six days prior to Dowman becoming the youngest Arsenal player to start a game since winning the EFL Cup against Brighton, he made a landmark.

Since he was 14 years old, Dowman has joined the first team for a warm-weather camp in Dubai in January 2024. He has been training with Arsenal’s first-team squad.

In the second half of last year, Arteta lacked attacking options due to the injuries of several key players, and supporters were already calling for the Englishman to get a chance.

Dowman, who won the Under-17s European Championship with England in May, is no stranger to setting records.

He also became England Under-19s’ youngest goalscorer last month.

So it should come as no surprise that he has been included in Arteta’s plans this term as the Gunners battle for success on four fronts.

Arsenal has taken steps to ensure both his career advancement and safeguarding with a player with such high potential competing in senior football.

In addition to these, he is given opportunities to get changed, his education is strongly prioritized, and his team-mates give him good support in an adult team setting.

Arteta and the club have taken caution in guiding Dowman’s development.

Moukoko broke the 26-year mark by becoming the youngest player in the world’s elite competition five years ago.

Celestine Babayaro, a former Chelsea full-back, was the youngest player at the age of 16 years and 86 days when he first competed for Anderlecht at Steaua Bucharest in November 1994.

Lamine Yamal started for Barcelona in September 2023, starting against Antwerp with a time of 16 years and 68 days, second on the list.

Champions League players’ youngest:

1. Max Dowman (Arsenal) – 15 years and 308 days, 4 November 2025

2 Youssoufa Moukoko – 16 years 18 days, 8 December 2020

3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – 16 years and 68 days, 19 Sept 2023

4. Celestine Babayaro (Anderlecht) – 16 years and 86 days, 23 Nov 1994

From 2026, LIV Golf events will be able to hold 72 holes, keeping them within the established LIV golf schedule.

The 54-hole events that were held on the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit in 2022 and the unconventional format of the competitions caused players to be denied official ranking points.

With the exception of a Wednesday start for LIV Golf Riyadh’s LIV Golf Riyadh, the majority of LIV events have been held on Friday through Sunday. However, they will now start on Thursday of the tournament week.

Jon Rahm, a two-time major champion who won his second straight LIV title in August, declared, “This is a win for the league and the players.

The former world number one remarked, “LIV Golf is a player’s league.” We want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and advance our craft because we are fierce competitors.

Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step in strengthening the competition, putting us to the test more, and providing more of what fans want, if the growing galleries from last season are any indication.

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are crucial for gaining entry to golf’s four majors.

Rahm is currently ranked 71st in the world, while Dustin Johnson, a former world number one, is 604th. LIV Golf players are also currently ranked 71st.

Johnson remarked, “Playing 72 holes just feels a little more like the big tournaments we’ve all grown up playing.” The four rounds grind has always always been my favorite.

Everyone wants to see the world’s best players competing against one another, especially in the majors, and we need a way forward, according to Bryson DeChambeau, who is also touring.

The individual competition will be decided over the course of 72 holes of stroke play for each regular season competition.

The team result will be determined by each team’s overall individual stroke play scores, which will continue to take place concurrently.

The expansion of LIV Golf to 72 holes is a crucial step in the development of our sport, says LIV Golf’s CEO, Scott O’Neil, and opens up more of the world’s elite golf, energy, innovation, and access that our global audience demands.

Iain Carter, a golf correspondent for the BBC, analyzes the game.

This is LIV’s most significant change since Greg Norman’s appointment as the breakaway tour’s chief executive last year, when Scott O’Neil took over.

One of the main distinctions between LIV and the established professional tours is being voluntarily rejected.

Their players, many of whom have fought for this switch, are obviously pleased that they are adding an additional round. Jon Rahm stated to BBC Sport that he wanted to see the format grow from three to four rounds in his debut LIV season.

Rahm claimed at the time that a similar modification would bring the two games closer together. However, there is still a slim chance that it will cause the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded circuit to join forces.

The official golf rankings may be able to support LIV’s quest for recognition, but the OWGR is still likely to have concerns about the league’s team structure, which could compromise individual performances.

When LIV’s initial request for recognition was rejected, this was a major issue. Additionally, LIV made this week an additional step that could help players gain recognition for their tour’s expanded pathway, which they hope will enable them to do so.

From 2026, LIV Golf events will be able to hold 72 holes, keeping them within the established LIV golf schedule.

The 54-hole events that were held on the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit in 2022 and the unconventional format of the competitions caused players to be denied official ranking points.

With the exception of a Wednesday start for LIV Golf Riyadh’s LIV Golf Riyadh, the majority of LIV events have been held on Friday through Sunday. However, they will now start on Thursday of the tournament week.

Jon Rahm, a two-time major champion who won his second straight LIV title in August, declared, “This is a win for the league and the players.

The former world number one remarked, “LIV Golf is a player’s league.” We want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and advance our craft because we are fierce competitors.

Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step in strengthening the competition, putting us to the test more, and providing more of what fans want, if the growing galleries from last season are any indication.

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are crucial for gaining entry to golf’s four majors.

Rahm is currently ranked 71st in the world, while Dustin Johnson, a former world number one, is 604th. LIV Golf players are also currently ranked 71st.

Johnson remarked, “Playing 72 holes just feels a little more like the big tournaments we’ve all grown up playing.” The four rounds grind has always always been my favorite.

Everyone wants to see the world’s best players competing against one another, especially in the majors, and we need a way forward, according to Bryson DeChambeau, who is also touring.

The individual competition will be decided over the course of 72 holes of stroke play for each regular season competition.

The team result will be determined by each team’s overall individual stroke play scores, which will continue to take place concurrently.

The expansion of LIV Golf to 72 holes is a crucial step in the development of our sport, says LIV Golf’s CEO, Scott O’Neil, and opens up more of the world’s elite golf, energy, innovation, and access that our global audience demands.

Iain Carter, a golf correspondent for the BBC, analyzes the game.

This is LIV’s most significant change since Greg Norman’s appointment as the breakaway tour’s chief executive last year, when Scott O’Neil took over.

One of the main distinctions between LIV and the established professional tours is being voluntarily rejected.

Their players, many of whom have fought for this switch, are obviously pleased that they are adding an additional round. Jon Rahm stated to BBC Sport that he wanted to see the format grow from three to four rounds in his debut LIV season.

Rahm claimed at the time that a similar modification would bring the two games closer together. However, there is still a slim chance that it will cause the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded circuit to join forces.

The official golf rankings may be able to support LIV’s quest for recognition, but the OWGR is still likely to have concerns about the league’s team structure, which could compromise individual performances.

When LIV’s initial request for recognition was rejected, this was a major issue. Additionally, LIV made this week an additional step that could help players gain recognition for their tour’s expanded pathway, which they hope will enable them to do so.