Whenever a teenager scores in the Premier League, said to be the toughest division in Europe, they immediately become a household name.
Most footballers can only dream of making it big, while many are forced to wait years for their chance. Some stars blossom at a young age, though that doesn’t automatically lead to a lifetime of fame and fortune. Sometimes the only way is down.
Only 13 players have scored in the Premier League before their 18th birthday. Here, football mirror Take a look at how the 10 youngest goalscorers in the Premier League’s 30-year history have fared since their defining moment. The results are intriguing…
Raheem Sterling – 17 years, 10 months and 12 days
Sterling made headlines in October 2012 when he scored Liverpool’s winner against Reading. It’s fair to say that the England international, now 28, has lived up to his potential. The winger has scored 160 goals at club level and has made 82 caps for his country.
Sterling also enjoyed big money moves to Manchester City, where he won 10 major trophies, including four Premier League titles, and Chelsea. The MBE story is still being written and he could achieve a lot more in football before he hangs up his boots.
Daniel Jebbison – 17 years, 10 months and 5 days
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It’s still too early to judge Jebbison’s career. He was given the chance by Sheffield United in their match against Everton in May 2021 after his relegation had already been confirmed. The striker did not disappoint, as he scored the winner at Goodison Park.
Now 19, Jebbison is trying to establish himself in the Sheffield United first team. He has made 50 appearances in his career to date, spending time on loan at Chorley and Burton, and won the Under-20 Euro Cup with England last year. As Blades fans will tell you, watch this space.
Federico Macheda – 17 years, 7 months and 14 days
Macheda became a cult hero at Manchester United after scoring a last-minute winner against Aston Villa in April 2009. The goal was seen as a pivotal moment in the Premiership title race League 2008/09 against Liverpool, which United won by just four points.
The Italian never reached the category at Old Trafford and went on to play for Sampdoria, Queens Park Rangers, Stuttgart, Doncaster, Birmingham City, Cardiff, Nottingham Forest, Novara, Panathinaikos and Ankaragucu. Macheda has recently signed for Cypriot side APOEL, the 12th club of his career. It’s hard to believe that he is only 31 years old.
Michael Ball – 17 years, 6 months and 7 days
Not to be confused with the singing sensation, Ball’s goal helped Everton secure a 1-1 draw against Leicester in April 1997. The left-back made over 100 Premier League appearances for his boyhood club and he was even capped for England in 2001.
The Eredivisie title winner had opportunities to play for Rangers, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester City and Leicester, the team he made his name against, before retiring in 2012 due to a knee injury that limited his career. Now 43, Ball works as an agent, not a West End star.
Andy Turner – 17 years, 5 months and 13 days
Turner was an early Premier League sensation after scoring for Tottenham in their 2-1 win against Everton in September 1992, just a month after the division’s first round of games. That was the start of a journeyman career for the winger.
Turner went on to play for Wycombe, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Southend, Portsmouth, Crystal Palace, Wolves, Rotherham, Boston, Rochdale, Yeovil, Northampton and various non-league clubs, but injuries derailed his progress. Now 47, the former Spurs star is working as a coach and most recently managed Welsh side Cefn Druids.
Michael Owen – 17 years, 4 months and 22 days
A man who needs no introduction thanks to his famous daughter, Owen became the biggest star in English football shortly after scoring in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Wimbledon in May 1997. He dazzled for England in the World Cup. World of France the following year. .
Owen won the Premier League title, FA Cup, UEFA Cup, European Super Cup and three League Cups during his career. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2001, a rare feat for an Englishman. However, injuries hampered his career and he retired in 2013, leaving many people wondering what could have been him. Now 43 years old, he works in the media.
Cesc Fabregas – 17 years, 3 months and 21 days
Another heavy hitter, Fabregas scored for Arsenal in their 3-0 win against Blackburn in August 2004. The Spain international became Arsenal’s captain before enjoying spells with Barcelona, Chelsea and Monaco. Now 35 years old, he plays for the Italian minnows Como.
Fábregas’ trophy case is full. He has won 16 trophies during his career, including two Premier League titles, two European Championships, the LaLiga title and the World Cup. The only thing missing is the Champions League. That is unlikely to happen now.
Wayne Rooney – 16 years, 11 months and 25 days
Without a doubt, Rooney’s goal for Everton against Arsenal in October 2002 is the most iconic Premier League goal scored by a teenager. The 16-year-old striker became an overnight success and enjoyed an excellent career at Manchester United.
Rooney retired as England and United’s top scorer. He’s also won 16 major titles, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League, although his failure to win an international trophy will leave many Three Lions fans feeling regretful. Now 37, Rooney is the manager of Major League Soccer club DC United.
James Milner – 16 years, 11 months and 22 days
Frustratingly for Rooney, Milner appeared two months later to break his record when he scored for Leeds in their 2-1 win against Sunderland in December 2002. However, Milner did not become an overnight sweetheart and it took him a while to achieve greatness.
Milner, who has played for Swindon, Newcastle, Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool, didn’t win his first major honor until City won the FA Cup in May 2011. However, he has lifted 11 more trophies since then, including three titles. of the Premier League and the Champions League.
Now 37 years old, Milner’s longevity and versatility can only be applauded. He is still going strong at Liverpool and has played over 900 senior matches for club and country. Miner is just 48 appearances behind Gareth Barry’s record of 652 in the Premier League.
James Vaughan – 16 years, 8 months and 27 days
Vaughan became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history when he scored in Everton’s 4-0 win against Crystal Palace in April 2005. Nearly 18 years later, the closest anyone has come to breaking his record is Jebbison, who ironically scored against Everton.
Vaughan went on to enjoy a decent race. He made 60 appearances for the Toffees, representing Derby, Leicester, Palace, Norwich, Huddersfield, Birmingham, Bury, Sunderland, Wigan, Portsmouth and Bradford before retiring at local club Tranmere in 2021.
Vaughan was appointed Tranmere’s director of football in 2022. Now 34, the former striker is waiting to see if anyone can break his record.
“At the time, I don’t think I realized the magnitude of what I had achieved,” Vaughan told the Everton website. “But when I look back now, it’s something I can always be proud of.”