The FIFA World Cup 2022 is underway. We saw Jude Bellingham score a goal for England at the age of 19. Jude has written his name in the history books by joining an elite list of young players who have scored a FIFA World Cup goal. Football is a young man’s sport. A player who has recently graduated from the academies is generally preferred over a player with extensive experience. With that being said, who are the youngest players in the history of the FIFA World Cup to have put the ball in the back of the net?
Pele scored in the FIFA World Cup 1958 at 17 years:
Brazil vs. Wales – 19 June 1958
Pele, the Brazilian football legend happens to be the youngest goal scorer at the FIFA World Cups. He scored against Wales in his first-ever world cup at the age of 17. It was the quarter-finals of the tournament. The Brazilian team went on to win the World Cup that year. It was a cumulative effort by the team and Pele had his fair share of contributions.
Manuel Rosas (18 years and 93 days):
Mexico vs. Argentina – 19 July 1930
Manuel Rosas, the Mexican maestro scored at the age of 18 years and 93 days. He was nicknamed Chaquetas. Rosas was the first player in the history of the FIFA World Cup who scored a goal from the penalty kick spot. He was at his time the youngest player to score at the FIFA World Cup.
Michael Owen (18 years and 190 days) scored in the FIFA World Cup 1998:
England vs. Romania – 22 June 1998
Michael Owen announced his arrival on the global stage in an amazing fashion by striking the ball in the back of the net at the age of 18 years and 190 days. Michael scored this goal in the game against Romania. Michael was a big-match player. He has seen the best of the clubs across the globe. He was a part of the Real Madrid team, Manchester United Team, Stoke City FC, and Liverpool too. He scored maximum goals at the club level for Liverpool.
Nicolae Kovács ((18 years, 197 days) scored in the FIFA World Cup 1930:
Romania vs. Peru – 14 July 1930
Nicolae Kovacs scored at the tender age of 18 years and 197 days in the FIFA World Cup 1930. He played for Romania as well as Hungary. But his record-setting goal was in Romanian colors. He played for 12 clubs across his professional career. He appeared in a total of 355 professional football games at scored 149 times. His goal came against Peru at the very beginning of the tournament.
Dmitry Sychev (18 years 231 days):
Russia vs. Belgium – 14 June 2002
Dmitry Sychev played for 9 clubs across his 20-year-long career. He was regarded as the “Russian Michael Owen”. He was an elite player. Sychev played cumulative 350+ games and scored 120+ goals. He also represented Russia at every age group level. He registered himself in the record books after scoring against Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2002 which was held in Seoul.
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