Top 10 youngest debutants from the biggest clubs in European football

David Alaba after scoring a stunner against Arsenal in the Champions League last month

It is almost impossible to explain the flood of emotion and joy of making a debut on the grand stage of football."It was beyond a fairy-tale,” Steve Coppel remembered his debut in 1975 for Manchester United exquisitely, talking to ESPN.“And despite winning trophies, that day was my highlight as a United player. My heart was jumping out of my chest and I've never had another experience like it. I wasn't running; I was floating across the grass. Words do not do the experience justice; it was a drug-like euphoric trance. I've had a few operations, and it was like that little pleasant stage after the anesthetic. Only multiplied by a hundred.”The way Coppel has described his debut in the top flight of football can be held true for most football players. The memory of the first match, the sensation of a new beginning is far too monumental to be forgotten with time.Here, we take a look at top ten youngest debuts from the biggest clubs in Europe.

#10 David Alaba (Bayern Munich)

David Alaba after scoring a stunner against Arsenal in the Champions League last month

Age on debut: 17 years, 7 months and 8 days

David Alaba made his debut for the Bayern Munich senior side in 2010. In a DFB-Pokal game against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, he came on as a substitute and with his second touch in the game, grabbed his first assist for the club setting up Ribéry for a goal. In the game, at the age of 17 years, Alaba became the youngest player to play a competitive game for Munich.

Since then Alaba has done extremely well to integrate himself in the star-studded team of Bayern and has established himself as the undisputed first choice fullback on the left flank for the Bavarians. Despite being surrounded with star forwards, Alaba has had the opportunity to share the penalty and free-kick duties with the likes of Muller and Robben.

#9 Federico Bonazzoli (Internazionale)

Bonazzoli playing for Italy U19 against Netherlands U19

Age on debut: 16 years and 362 days

Federico Bonazzoli joined Inter’s youth system at the age of seven. He made his Serie A debut against Chievo Verona at the age of 16, in 2014. Following that match, he became the second youngest player to feature in Italy's first division. Having similar physique and technical abilities of a young Ibrahimovic, the forward idolises and wants to emulate former Internazionale marksman.

With Inter stocked on forwards with the likes of Rodrigo Palacio, Icardi and Stevan Jovetic, Bonazzoli sealed a move to Sampdoria in Feb 2015, having played five games for the Nerazzurri in the 2014-15 season.

#8 Norman Whiteside (Manchester United)

Whiteside scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final at Wembley in 1985

Age on debut: 16 years and 351 days

After signing a schoolboy contract with Manchester United, Young Norman used to fly over to Manchester from his hometown Belfast to train with the Red Devils, week in week out. At the age of 14, Whiteside started drawing comparisons with United legend George Best, for a similar attacking style but more on the account of both being from the same city, belonging to the same club.

The young Devil made his United debut two weeks prior to his 17th birthday. His first appearance came as a sub in a game against Brighton & Hove Albion in the league, in 1982 that ended in a 1-0 win. Whiteside stayed with the club for 8 years before hanging up his boots at Everton. Sir Alex in his autobiography, mentioned the striker as a player close to the genius category.

#7 Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund)

Sahin at the age of 16 training with Borussia Dortmund

Age on debut: 16 years and 334 days

At the age of 16, Nuri ahin became the youngest player to feature for Borussia Dortmund and the Bundesliga, in 2005. He also scored the same year against 1. FC Nuremberg to become the youngest player to score a goal in the top-flight of Germany. The Turkey International also holds the record for the Country’s youngest ever player and goal-scorer.

He scored a goal on his debut against Germany, the country of his birth in the U17 World Cup 2005. ahin has played for big clubs like Real Madrid and Liverpool, but he could never achieve his full potential that he showed at Dortmund, at these clubs. The midfielder returned to the German club in 2013 and has stayed with Dortmund calling the club “home”.

#6 Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Jack Wilshere playing for Arsenal in 2008

Age on debut: 16 years and 256 days

Jack Wilshere joined the Arsenal academy at the age of nine. The England International has spent his whole footballing career growing through the ranks of Arsenal. He made his senior debut at the age of 16 years and 256 days in an away league match against Blackburn Rovers in 2008.

The young Gunner made his Champions League debut the same year, coming on as a substitute in a group game against Dynamo Kyiv. Sadly, injuries have hampered the growth of this talented midfielder. Yet at 23, age is still on his side. He still has time to overcome his fitness woes and get to the level that was once expected of him.

#5 Clarence Seedorf (Ajax)

The legendary Seedorf celebrating Milan’s Champions League win in 2007

Age on debut: 16 years and 242 days

Clarence Seedorf made his competitive debut at the age of 16 years for the Dutch club Ajax in 1992. In a career that spanned over two decades, Seedorf played for the biggest clubs in Europe. He still remains the only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs – with Ajax (1995), with Real Madrid (1998) and twice with Milan (2003, 2007).

The ace midfielder also represented his country on 87 occasions and is regarded as one of the most decorated players in the history of Dutch football. He was also included in Fifa 100, a list by Brazilian legend Pele of the greatest living footballers.

#4 Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan)

Donnarumma in action prior to his debut against Sassoulo

Age on debut: 16 years and 241 days

At the age of 16, Gianluigi Donnarumma became the youngest goalkeeper in the history of Serie A and AC Milan when the Rossoneri manager, Sinisa Mihajlovic handed him his league debut against Sassuolo. The young shot-stopper is recognized as one of the brightest future prospects in Italy and is loved by football fans who have dubbed him “The new Buffon”.

Interestingly, the goalkeeper shares the first name with the veteran Italy No.1 and has left behind Buffon on account of a top-flight debut. Buffon had made his debut at the age of 17. Donnarumma has represented the Italy national side on U15, U16, U17 and U21 levels.

#3 Martin Odegaard (Real Madrid)

Norwegian Odegaard in action in his debut match against Getafe CF

Age on debut: 16 years and 157 days

Martin Odegaard became the youngest debutant in the history of Real Madrid C.F. The attacking midfielder made his first appearance for the Spanish giants at the age of 16 years and 157 days, in a league game against Getafe coming on for club stalwart Cristiano Ronaldo. He is also the youngest player ever to represent his country, Norway.

Odegaard’s International debut came against UAE at the age of 15 years and 253 days. The young star currently plays for the Real Madrid Castilla and the reserve team but trains mainly with the first team. Ronaldo in an interview named him one of the top five youngest talents in the world and also deemed the youngster the one to look out for in the future.

#2 Jerome Sinclair (Liverpool)

Sinclair in action on his debut against West Bromwich Albion in 2012

Age on debut: 16 years and 6 days

Jerome Sinclair joined Liverpool at the age of 14 from the West Bromwich Albion youth academy in 2011. Sinclair’s strong performances caught the attention of the former Liverpool manager Brendon Rodgers as he earned his first team call-up in 2012. He came off the bench in the 81st minute in a League Cup tie against his first club, West Brom.

He became Liverpool’s youngest player ever breaking Jack Robinson’s record, at the age of 16 years and 6 days. Sinclair made his debut in the Premier League against Chelsea in the 2014-15 season.

#1 Paulino Alcantara (Barcelona)

The first true star of FC Barcelona, Paulino Alcantara

Age on debut: 15 years, 4 months and 18 days

Paulino Alcantara scored a hat-trick on his professional debut for FC Barcelona. In 1921, the Blaugrana legend played his first match at the age of 15 years. Alcantara scored a record 367 goals in 357 appearances for Barcelona. A longstanding club record that has since been broken by Argentine talisman Lionel Messi in 2014.

Alcantara was famous for his hard-hit and powerful shots and on one occasion playing for Spain against France, he hit a shot so powerful that it ripped through the net. The moment remained an inspiration for Catalonian children for years, who would try to repeat the feat of their club icon. In 1927, at the age of 31, Alcantara hung up his boots to become a doctor.

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Edited by Staff Editor