Barcelona midfielder Pedri created history at UEFA Euro 2020 by becoming the youngest player to ever play for the Spain football team in the European Championship.
However, at 18 years, six months and 20 days, the Barcelona protege isn’t the youngest player to participate in the continental championship. Wondering who is the youngest player then? Let’s find out.
Youngest player in Euro 2020
At 17 years and 349 days, England midfielder Jude Bellingham became the youngest player to feature not only in the ongoing edition but also in the history of the European Championships.
Bellingham’s record, however, is quite unsafe at the moment as Poland’s Kacper Kozłowski could break it if he features for his team in the competition. Bellingham turns 18 on June 29, but Kozłowski has until October to become an adult.
Oldest player in Euro 2020
The other end of the age spectrum is occupied by a goal-keeper as the Netherlands’ Maarten Stekelenburg is the oldest player to play at Euro 2020. At 38 years, the former Roma, Fulham and Everton goalkeeper is slightly ahead of the Portugal veteran Pepe, who turns 39 in February. Stekelenburg turns 39 in September this year.
Oldest player in Euro history
That said, Stekelenburg isn’t the oldest player to play in the history of the competition. This particular honour belongs to the former Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who appeared for his national team at the age of 40 years and 86 days during a 2016 Euro match against Belgium.
Youngest squad in Euro 2020
At 24.5 years, Luis Enrique’s Spain are the youngest team in Euro 2020. It is partly down to all the new names like Pedri himself, Adama Traore, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Pau Torres; all of whom are 25 years of age or under. The oldest players in Spain’s squad are Jordi Alba (32) and captain Sergio Busquets (32).
At 24.6 years, Turkey closely follows Spain. Meanwhile, at 24.8 years, Gareth Southgate’s England team is the third-youngest team at Euro 2020.
Oldest squad in Euro 2020
Sweden, at 29.2 years, have the oldest squad at Euro 2020. The figure could have been even more if their star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had not picked up an injury ahead of the competition.
Euro 2020 trivia
15 - Number of participants at Euro 2020 from Chelsea and Manchester City. This is the joint-highest figure for any club.
23 - England has the most domestic-based players at Euro 2020 with 23 of their 26 players playing in the Premier League.
27 - Scotland’s Andrew Robertson, 27, is the youngest player to captain a team in Euro 2020.
Featured photo: AFP / Glyn Kirk
