Who is the best young player in UEFA Euro history?

Rank the best young players in UEFA Euro history — from Lamine Yamal's record as the youngest scorer at 16 to Pedri's orchestration of Spain's Euro 2020 run and Wayne Rooney's explosive 2004 debut.

Lamine Yamal

Spain's teenage prodigy who at 16 was the youngest player ever at a European Championship in Euro 2024, scoring a stunning long-range goal in the semi-final and winning the Young Player of the Tournament award.

1/12

Renato Sanches

Won both the European Championship and the Best Young Player award in the same tournament at Euro 2016 aged just 18, producing dynamic and electrifying midfield displays for Portugal.

2/12

Gavi

Played at Euro 2020 for Spain at just 17 years old, his technical mastery, composure and reading of the game at such a young age made him one of the tournament's standout players.

3/12

Pedri

Named the Best Young Player at Euro 2020 aged 18 for his outstanding orchestration of Spain's play, his vision, first touch and maturity belied his teenage years in a performance for the ages.

4/12

Wayne Rooney

Exploded onto the international stage at Euro 2004 aged just 18, scoring four goals in group play and generating global excitement before injury ended his tournament, the most anticipated teenager in the competition.

5/12

Cristiano Ronaldo

Made his first major international impact at Euro 2004 aged 19, showcasing his raw pace, skill and ambition even as Portugal finished as runners-up, hinting at the transcendent career that was to come.

6/12

Jude Bellingham

Became England's youngest ever tournament starter at Euro 2020 aged 17, producing a mature and authoritative display on the biggest stage that marked him out as a generational talent.

7/12

Cesc Fàbregas

Key part of Spain's young and gifted squad at Euro 2008, the creative midfielder's passing, vision and composure helped drive Spain to their first European title in 44 years aged just 21.

8/12

Phil Foden

England's technically outstanding midfield jewel who impressed at Euro 2020, his movement, creativity and match intelligence placing him among the tournament's best young performers.

9/12

Bukayo Saka

Emerged as one of England's best players at Euro 2020 aged 19 before his heartbreaking penalty miss in the final shoot-out against Italy, his performances throughout the tournament confirming world-class potential.

10/12

Dragan Džajić

Yugoslav winger who dazzled at Euro 1968 aged 20, scoring key goals including one against England in the semi-final to earn the coveted title of best player in the entire tournament.

11/12

Marco van Basten

Scored possibly the greatest goal in European Championship history — an unstoppable volley in the 1988 final against the Soviet Union aged 23 — as the Netherlands lifted their only major international trophy.

12/12