What Erling Haaland Said About Moukoko Ahead Of His Last Chance To Break Babayaro's UCL Record

Published: December 08, 2020

Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko has one last chance to break a longstanding UEFA Champions League record held by Celestine Babayaro's in this evening's clash against Zenit at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.

Moukoko is 16 years and 18 days today and would etch his name in football's folklore if handed minutes against the current Russian Premier League champions.

Babayaro currently holds the Champions League record for youngest debutant after featuring in a 1-1 draw between Anderlecht and FCSB aged 16 years and 87 days old on November 23,1994.

The absence of 2020 Golden Boy winner Erling Haaland has opened the door for Moukoko to make his Champions League debut.

In preparation for a potential debut in the Champions League, Moukoko has made three appearances off the bench for Dortmund's first team in the Bundesliga.

On Moukoko, Haaland was quoted as saying by UEFA's official website : "I think he’s the biggest talent in the world right now. He has a big career ahead of him. We're lucky to have him.

"I’m over 20 years, so I’m getting old now, so that’s how it is."

He added : "Moukoko is much better than I was at his age. The advantage for him is that he's already playing for Dortmund at the age of 15. At his age, I was still playing for my home town of Bryne."

Babayaro set more than one record when he made his first Champions League start as he became the competition's youngest player to be sent off 37 minutes later.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com

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