The youth movement is in full effect at Euro 2024.
Just days after Spain forward Lamine Yamal became the first 16-year-old to play at a men’s European Championship, Turkey’s Arda Guler (19 years and 114 days) on Tuesday became the youngest player ever to score a goal at the Euros during his country’s 3-1 victory over Georgia.
And what a spectacular 20-yard curl it was.
Guler surpassed the previous record set by Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who was 19 years and 128 days old when he netted a goal against Greece at the 2004 Euros. Ronaldo would continue his exploits and guide Portugal all the way to the final before falling to Greece in a nail-biter of a rematch.
Could Guler be on the verge of a similar Cinderella run?
The 19-year-old Turk also became the third teenager to score in his Euro debut, joining Ronaldo and Hungary’s Ferenc Bene, who scored against Spain in 1964.
Guler, nicknamed the “Turkish Messi” for his similarities to Lionel Messi, was among the most hyped young players entering Euro 2024 despite his up-and-down debut season with Real Madrid. The midfielder played limited minutes for the club but eventually found a more prominent role under Carlo Ancelotti, finishing the season with five goals in as many La Liga matches. Despite not playing a solitary minute, Guler also became the first Turk to win the Champions League earlier this month.
Earlier on Tuesday, Portugal’s 21-year-old phenom Francisco Conceicao also submitted an early “Goal of the Euros” candidate when he scored within 111 seconds of subbing in to give his country a late 2-1 win over Czechia.
Between Guler, Conceicao, Yamal, Jamal Musiala and Jude Bellingham, the sport’s blossoming superstars are leaving their mark on Europe’s biggest stage.
