Arsenal’s Dowman becomes youngest Champions League player at 15

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