The 10 Youngest Champions League Winners in History – Ranked

September 8, 2025 Aksel Kryhlmand

Winning the UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of club football—and some players have done it before even turning 20. Here’s a look at the ten youngest winners of the trophy, listed from oldest to youngest at the time of their triumph.

10. Gianni Rivera – AC Milan (1963)

At just 19 years and 277 days, Italian legend Gianni Rivera won the European Cup with AC Milan. Nicknamed the “Golden Boy,” he was already an established talent in Serie A and lifted the trophy before turning 20.

9. Johan Neeskens – Ajax (1971)

Neeskens was 19 years and 261 days old when he helped Ajax win the Champions League for the first time. Despite starting as a right-back in the final, he later became a midfield icon for both Ajax and the Netherlands.

8. Edward Linskens – PSV Eindhoven (1988)

Linskens was 19 years and 201 days old when he won the European title with PSV. He played a key role in the semifinal against Real Madrid and started the final, showing remarkable maturity for his age.

7. Carlos Alberto – Porto (2004)

Only 19 years and 135 days old, Carlos Alberto scored the opening goal in Porto’s 3–0 win over Monaco in the 2004 final. He was a breakout star in José Mourinho’s legendary team, though his career later stalled.

6. Clarence Seedorf – Ajax (1995)

Seedorf was 19 years and 51 days old when he helped Ajax lift the trophy in 1995. He went on to win the Champions League four times with three different clubs—more than any other Dutch player.

5. Iker Casillas – Real Madrid (2000)

Photo: Marcos Mesa Sam Wordley / Shutterstock.com

Just four days after turning 19, Casillas won his first Champions League with Real Madrid in 2000. The young goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the final and later became a club legend and World Cup winner.

4. Brian Kidd – Manchester United (1968)

Kidd turned 19 on the day of the 1968 final and celebrated by scoring in United’s 4–1 win over Benfica. Although he never won another major trophy, he made over 500 career appearances.

3. Patrick Kluivert – Ajax (1995)

At 18 years and 327 days, Kluivert became the youngest player to score in a Champions League final. His late winner for Ajax against AC Milan sealed a famous victory and launched a stellar career.

2. Nwankwo Kanu – Ajax (1995)

Kanu was 18 years and 296 days old when he won the Champions League alongside Kluivert. He came off the bench in the second half and played a vital role in Ajax’s 1–0 triumph over Milan.

Antonio Simões (1962)

António Simões — Por Bert Verhoeff for Anefo - http://proxy.handle.net/10648/ac62faac-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68086595

The youngest winner ever, Simões was just 18 years and 139 days old when Benfica defeated Real Madrid in the 1962 final. The Portuguese winger went on to win 10 domestic titles and enjoy a lengthy career.