From Crystal Palace to Leeds United, these are some of the best young players emerging into the Premier League with clubs outside of the established top six.

These young players are gearing up for big moves to bigger clubs in the future. while some youngsters are trying to impress on loan with hope of breaking into the first team of their parent club.

So let us take a look at the Best Young Players to have an impact in the 2021/22 season:

Armando Broja (Southampton):

Once one of the most well-trodden pathways for loan players, the Chelsea-to-Vitesse partnership has drifted apart in recent seasons. But Armando Broja revived it last season, with a ten goal campaign leading the line for the Eredivisie club, while he also debuted and scored three times for Albania.

Premier League : Style of Play:

Now with Southampton on loan, we are beginning to see Broja's skills translating to Premier League level very effectively. His willingness to stretch defences with runs in behind is a very transferable skill for Premier League strikers, with the transitional style of the league suiting players with pace in behind. But Broja pairs that with a pretty big and strong frame, that looks very adept at playing at this physical level for a 20-year-old.

Broja can hit the channels too. He can drift wide and receive the ball in transition and properly attack the full-back marking him, and looks comfortable attempting to beat his man and delivering balls into the area. The best comparison is probably to Alvaro Morata during his first spell at Juventus, though Broja is a bit bigger and more functional alone up front, while Morata was at his best playing off Carlos Tévez.

Broja combines this all with a versatile range of finishes when he has opportunities to shoot. He can score off the dribble, running in behind, with his head, first time, etc. and in general gets into really good positions to score and has a high xG per shot.

Strength:

• Stretching movements
• Wide range of finishing
• Raw goal outputs

Weakness:

• Playing with back to goal
• Linking play in tight spaces

Charlie Cresswell (Leeds United):

Teenage Leeds United centre-back Charlie Cresswell is son of well-travelled Football League striker Richard Cresswell, and is certainly his father's son. Standing at 6ft 2in, Cresswell has been a dominant presence for Leeds United's youth teams throughout his time at the academy. He has graduated the U16, U18 and now U23 setups with relative ease, making his Premier League debut early in the 2021/22 campaign whilst several first-team defenders were rendered unavailable through injury.

Premier League : Style of Play:

Cresswell is a curious blend of old meets new. He has been described by U23 manager at Leeds Mark Jackson as an 'old school' centre-half who thrives in traditional defensive endeavours: winning aerial battles, physically dominating opponents and leading from the front.

The England U21 international is incredibly vocal, and his presence at the back for the U23 side is notably missed when he is required in the first-team setup. He is a threat in the opposing penalty area from set-pieces and marshals his teammates at defensive set-plays.

In playing out from the back, Cresswell is confident and looks to execute passes through lines with purpose, encouraging others to follow suit. Positionally, he can be caught out when Leeds employ a high line, as his turn of pace is not the sharpest. Similarly, there are occasions where he has been spun by more intelligent centre-forwards, however his handling of Michail Antonio on his Premier League debut is a career highlight so far.

Strength:

• Physicality in duels
• Marking against opponents
• Ball progression

Weakness:

• Defensive positioning
• Erratic into contact at times

Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace):

Crystal Palace are putting Conor Gallagher in a position to succeed. The Chelsea loanee had a decent season on loan at West Brom in 2020/21, but the Baggies were not able to make best use of the attacking quality Gallagher can provide. Now free to hunt for opportunities in the final third, he looks like a prime candidate to return to Stamford Bridge next season as a first team candidate.

Premier League : Style of Play:

Coaches are always looking for goals from midfield. They ease the burden on the strike force, and turn your team into a more dynamic threat. Gallagher delivers that in spades. His powerful running from midfield allows him to both start and finish moves, and Patrick Vieira has given him the license to attack the penalty box whenever he sees an opportunity to score developing. Four goals and two assists in his first ten matches in 2021/22 underlines this; it is already two more goal contributions than he managed in 30 games last season.

Gallagher is a relentless worker on both sides of the ball. He is extremely aggressive defensively – perhaps too aggressive – with high pressure numbers paired with a low tackle success rate. These two stats tend to pair themselves regularly, but there is always room for improvement in terms of body shape and positioning when pressing incessantly.

Playing for a team like Palace, Gallagher only has a limited number of touches per game, but he is very effective. Barring an erratic first touch, he is very direct and clear-minded: his intent is to get the ball forward in any way possible, mixing a bit of ball-carrying and short passing in transitional opportunities to wreak havoc. His skillset is more limited when the game slows down and the defensive lines are compacted.

Strength:

• Directness in attack and transition
• Attacking contributions
• Relentless energy and effort

Weakness:

• Defensive efficiency
• Consistency of first touch

Joe Gelhardt (Leeds United):

Joe Gelhardt is a product of Wigan Athletic's youth system, making over 20 first-team appearances for the Latics before his 18th birthday. Due to Wigan's financial crisis in the summer of 2020, Gelhardt was sold for a reported £1 million to newly-promoted Premier League side Leeds United and immediately placed in the U23 side.

After a 12-month bedding in process including close to 20 goals at PL2 level, Gelhardt began to infiltrate Leeds' first-team – as well as the England U21 setup – following injuries to Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo.

Premier League : Style of Play:

Gelhardt is a stocky, but technical centre-forward, capable of worming his way out of tight spaces, shaking off challenges and unleashing powerful strikes. The ex-Wigan man stands at roughly 5ft 10in, but competes well physically, especially on the floor. His straight-line speed is adequate, but it is his relentless off-ball work-rate – something which has been developed during his time at Leeds – that makes him a pliable centre-forward in modern football.

He is a gifted technician, who likes to drop deep to receive possession, before driving at defensive structures. Gelhardt is adept at winning fouls, leveraging his frame against agemates to win decisions.

Recently called up to England's U21 side, he can be a touch predictable on his left foot, strongly preferring to shoot with it as opposed to the right. There are no issues with Gelhardt's shot power but his placement is much less certain, which has led to several of his penalties at youth level being saved.

Strength:

• Dribbling in tight spaces
• Explosive ball-striking ability
• Pressing and energetic impact

Weakness:

• Left-footed dominant
• Presence in the air

Christos Tzolis (Norwich City):

Born in the coastal city of Thessaloniki, Christos Tzolis has enjoyed a rapid rise for boyhood club PAOK. The teenager was rewarded for his prolific form at youth level with a first team call up and has not looked back since.

In his first full season, Tzolis contributed to more goals (17 goals, 10 assists) than any other first team player and earned a call-up to the Greek national team. He has since moved to Norwich City after their promotion to the Premier League, where he has struggled to establish himself as a starter.

Premier League : Style of Play:

Tzolis averages 1.1 successful dribbles per 90 which shows his reluctance to beat defenders, instead relying on movement from teammates to vacate space where he can then do damage.

The teenager is a high-volume shooter and currently averages 2.7 per 90 – more than any other teammate with Andrija Živković his closest challenger on 1.7 per 90. His first-time finishing is extremely decisive, thanks largely to his clean ball-striking ability and trust in his own technique to find corners.

Tzolis struggles to generate power and accuracy on his weaker side – much more reliant on his right foot – which makes him predictable at times.

His role is very specialized (low touch, inside forward) which means accommodating him into a 'top side' might be difficult. The Greek forward is inconsistent in his fundamentals, first touch can be loose and his passing too.

Strength:

• Proactive attacker
• Accomplished finisher
• Intelligent penalty box movement

Weakness:

• Weaker side notably ineffective
• Poor fit for possession-based teams
• Lacks refinement in defensive ability

This completes our list of best young players to have an impact in the 2021/22 season in the Premier League. For more lists like this one, follow Sportz Point.

Free kicks or set pieces are one of the most effective methods to score a goal. However, it is also the hardest thing in football. But be it from outside the box or 30 yards from the box, free-kicks are one of the most beautiful things to watch in football when done correctly.

In this article, today we will list the player with the most free-kick goals in football history. 

Who has scored the most free-kick goals?

This is a regular question asked in football quizzes. To give your answer, it is Juninho Pernambucano from Brazil who has scored the most free-kick goals. He has scored 77 free-kick goals in his career.

Most Free-Kick Goals: Messi or Ronaldo?

Whenever one discusses any football record, you can not leave Messi and Ronaldo out of it. At least, the fans can not leave it out. So, who has scored the most free-kick goals? Messi or Ronaldo?

Lionel Messi has overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of the most free-kick goals scored. Messi now has 66 free-kick goals, whereas Cristiano has 64 free-kick goals.

Read Also: Messi vs Ronaldo: Longest goal-scoring streak

If we break down the records of both Messi and Ronaldo, Messi has only 5 Champions League goals from the dead ball, and Ronaldo has 12. Messi has scored 57 free-kick goals in his club career, while Ronaldo has 53 against his name.

Read Also: 10 Most FA Cup Winners List: FA Cup in detail

Most Free-kick goals in the Premier League

The Premier League is said to be one of the toughest places to play football. Many greats have failed in the Premier League; however, many have flourished in the league as a legend of the game.

David Beckham has scored the most goals by a free-kick in Premier League history. He has scored as many as 18 times from the dead ball in his Premier League career.

Here is the list of players with the most free-kick goals in the Premier League-

1. David Beckham - 18 goals
2. James Ward-Prowse - 17 goals
3. Cristiano Ronaldo - 12 goals
4. Thierry Henry - 12 goals
5. Gianfranco Zola - 12 goals

Read Also: Most Free-Kick Goals In Premier League

Top 10: Most Free-kick Goals In Football History

#1 Juninho Pernambucano - 77 free-kick goals

Known as the magnificent 7, Juninho was the best when it came to scoring from a dead-ball situation. The former Olympique Lyonnais legend and midfielder scored as many as 77 goals from set-pieces. Juninho is considered the greatest free-kick taker of all time.

He was also the inventor of the knuckle-ball technique shoots as well.

#2 Pele - 70 free-kick goals

The king of football, Pele, has scored 70 goals from set pieces. Pele could bend the ball both ways with fierce power.

Moreover, his immense game knowledge to out-think the goalkeeper helped him net the ball more often than not. The Brazilian striker's 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which include friendlies, are recognised as a Guinness World Record.

#3 Lionel Messi: 68 Free-kick goals

There is hardly any top 10 attacking list or record in football where you will not find the Argentine maestro, Lionel Messi. Although before 2014, Messi was not considered prolific from the dead ball, he has just proved everyone wrong with his free-kick record since then.

Till now, the Argentinian legend has scored 68 free-kick goals. 57 of those have come for the clubs he has played and 11 for Argentina.

More than that, Messi now has scored a free-kick in every 16.3 match, which speaks volumes for his accuracy from the deadball position.

Different stage. Same act.@InterMiamiCF | #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/uXOGMXcu5N

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 19, 2025

#4 Víctor Legrotaglie - 66 free-kick goals

The Argentine from the 1970s is considered to be the greatest player in Mendoza football. Along with his stunning shooting ability, Victor was known for his 12 Olympic Goals for Argentina as well. There is a stadium named after him in Argentina.

#5 Ronaldinho- 66 free-kick goals

The magician from Brazil was brilliant from any position. Ronaldinho had everything as a footballer. Hence, having the skill to net the ball from a distance was also in his armoury. The Brazilian legend scored 66 goals from set-pieces in his career.

Also Read: Top 10 highest scoring midfielders in the 21st century: Football facts

#6 David Beckham: 65 Free-kick goals

The famous phrase, "Bend it like Beckham", suggests how good Beckham was when it came to scoring from a free-kick. Beckham scored 65 goals from set-pieces in his career. His free-kick to take England to the 2002 FIFA World Cup is still cherished as one of the best moments in English football.

Read Also: Erling Haaland: Top 10 fastest to 20 UEFA Champions League goals

#7 Cristiano Ronaldo - 64 free-kick goals

With his latest free-kick goal in the Saudi Pro League 2024 against Al-Fayha FC, Ronaldo has now moved to the seventh position in the most free-kick goals list. The Portuguese legend now has 64 free-kick goals against his name. With this free-kick goal, Ronaldo now has scored a free-kick goal every season since 2003-04.

Ronaldo till now has scored 53 free-kick goals for the clubs he has featured for and 11 for his national team, Portugal. He has now scored a free-kick in every 20.0 games.

#8 Diego Maradona- 62 free-kick goals

The legend of Argentine football is one of the best in the history of the game. Maradona scored nearly 20% of his career goals with free-kicks. His free-kick against Juventus for Napoli is known as the 'Divine Free-Kick'. Diego scored 62 goals from set pieces in his career.

#9 Zico - 62 free-kick goals

Brazilian legend Zico scored 62 free-kick goals in his career. He was very accurate in his shooting skills. Zico is considered one of the world's best players of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The attacking midfielder was very accurate with his kicks. Along with his accuracy, his languid run-up was very famous in his era.

Read Also: Defenders who have won the Ballon d'Or award

#10 Ronald Koeman- 60 goals

The former Barcelona player and manager is known as one of the highest-scoring defenders of all time. The Dutch defensive midfielder also had his share of success with Ajax.

Koeman has scored nearly 25% of his goals with free-kicks. He is one of the high-scoring defenders in his era. Koeman scored 215 goals in his career and is one of the highest-scoring defenders ever.

#11 Rogerio Ceni - 59 goals

To the shock of everyone, Ceni was a goalkeeper and he has scored 59 goals from dead-ball situations in his career. Ceni is the highest-scoring goalkeeper in the history of the game. He has scored 131 goals in his career.

Except for one goal, all of them came from penalties and free-kicks. The Brazilian played for 25 years, most of that for São Paulo.

Read Also: Goals by Goalkeepers: Top 5 Highest scoring goalkeepers

12. Marcelinho - 59 goals

Marcelinho is nicknamed "Pé-de-Anjo" for his accuracy with free-kicks. The attacking midfielder from Brazil has collected more trophies with Corinthians than any other player in their history. However, Marcelinho failed to feature in any World Cup matches for Brazil. Marcelinho has 505 goals in his career.

Every now and then, a year comes along that changes sports history. Imagine waiting years, even decades, for your favourite team to win. For fans across the globe, 2025 has turned that dream into reality.

This year has been special, marked by some of the longest trophy droughts in sports finally coming to an end. Teams like South Africa in cricket and Bologna in football have broken long-standing curses, proving that anything is possible. 

Is 2025 the miraculous year in sports history? Join us as we explore why 2025 is a year sports fans won't soon forget, and is also termed as "Year of the underdogs."

1. South Africa won an ICC Trophy after 27 years/ 9,862 days

For nearly three decades, the "chokers" tag clung to the Proteas like an unwanted shadow. Time and again, they reached close to the glory, only to falter at crucial moments. But 2025 changed everything, as they lifted ICC WTC Trophy defeating a strong Australian side in the Final.

South Africa showcased a cricketing masterclass with extraordinary team efforts in a high-stakes final match. From Aiden Markram's century to Temba Bavuma's batting class, they gave it all to earn the standing ovation from the crowd as they walked with pride after the win.

This victory, as Mark Boucher previously said, indeed is the turnaround they needed to inspire future generations and earn global respect as champions that they truly deserve.

They made the world chant "It's time for Africa" with their performance.

Read Also: Most ICC Trophies by any men's team

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2. RCB won their first ever IPL trophy after 18 years/ 6,570 days

For 18 painfully long years, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their passionate fans endured a rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak in IPL. Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB delivered exceptional, balanced performance this season, finally breaking free of their curse.

The image of Virat Kohli lifting the IPL trophy, the last major piece missing from his glittering cabinet, was one of the most iconic sporting moments of this year. It not only signified the team's victory, but also the ultimate reward for loyalty and career-long excellence.

The overall team contribution and management are the key factors that led them to secure their place as champions, shutting all the haters down.

Read Also: IPL 2025: RCB batters create this unique history before the playoffs

AAAAARRRRR CEEEEEEE BEEEEEE ❤🏆#TATAIPL | #RCBvPBKS | #Final | #TheLastMile | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/lp3AwgCVQl

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 3, 2025

3. Go Ahead Eagles won the KNVB Cup after 93 years/ 33,968 days

Go Ahead Eagles soared to their first major trophy in 93 years, winning the KNVB Cup in 2025. For generations of fans in Deventer, this was a moment they might have only dreamed of. The emotions outpouring after the victory were sensational.

Their journey in the tournament was an underdog saga, defeating AZ Alkmaar, where they equalised the final match in the 99th minute to take it to penalties, and ultimately winning it from there!

4. Bologna won the Italian Cup after 51 years/ 18,619 days

Bologna's victory in the Italian Cup after 51 years was a testament to patience and a perfectly executed season. Their triumph in 2025, defeating AC Milan 1-0 in the final, was a moment they manifested for years.

Key contributions from players like Don Ndoye, who scored the decisive goal despite returning from injury, and the tactical decisions of the coach, Vincenzo Italiano, brought joy to a city that waited for so long.

5.  Crystal Palace won the first ever major trophy (FA Cup) after 119 years/ 43,714 days

Perhaps the most astonishing drought-breaker of 2025 belonged to Crystal Palace. After 119 years, the Eagles finally lifted their first-ever major trophy, the FA Cup. 

The single decisive goal from Eberechi Eze and crucial saves from goalkeeper Dean Henderson shaped their 1-0 victory over Manchester City FC. This victory proved that even after more than a century, a club's biggest dream can still become reality!

Read Also: Football teams with most international trophies

6. Newcastle United won the League Cup after a long wait of 55 years/ 20,367 days

For the passionate supporters of Newcastle United, 2025 brought an end to a 55-year wait for a major domestic trophy as they won the English Football League Cup.

The sight of the Magpies defeating the 10-time champions Liverpool (1-2) was a powerful moment that reinforced belief in their new era. Goals from local hero Dan Burn and Alexander Isak brought the victory home for them.

7. Harry Kane won his first-ever major trophy (Bundesliga) after 32 years/ 11,676 days

For years, England's most prolific striker, Harry Kane, was burdened by an unfortunate tag: "trophy virgin." Despite his goal-scoring records and individual brilliance, a major team trophy has always slipped away from him.

But 2025 finally saw the narrative shattered as Kane immediately made his mark after joining Bayern Munich, leading them to their 33rd Bundesliga title. He was also the top scorer of the 2024-25 season, having scored 26 goals and 8 assists.

This victory felt like a personal one, putting a line to complete the picture in his football career.

Read Also: 11 players who have won the most trophies in football history

This one’s coming home with me! 🏆

Buzzing to be Bundesliga top goalscorer for the second year in a row and this one’s even more special as it goes alongside the Bundesliga title! Couldn’t have achieved this without the support of my teammates! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/WnvIvCf28S

— Harry Kane (@HKane) May 17, 2025

8. Tottenham won the UEFA Europa League after 17 years/ 6,296 days

2025 finally broke Tottenham Hotspur's 17-year trophy drought, as they won the UEFA Europa League. This was a monumental win, bringing the title back to North London.

The tense final against Manchester United saw a crucial goal from Brennan Johnson secure the 1-0 victory. However, the most iconic image was Son Heung-min, the club's long-serving captain, finally lifting a major trophy.

After a decade of dedication and numerous near misses, Son's emotional moment, draped in the Korean flag, was the highlight of his commitment and love for football.

A moment Tottenham fans will never forget 🏆#UELfinal | @SpursOfficial pic.twitter.com/ROFK5pRtDD

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2025

In the sphere of international football, legacy is not built on sentiment but on unmatched achivement. What truly counts for a national team are the trophies won at the global stage, leaving everyone behind in the race!

This list will provide you an overview of the football teams with most international trophies. Read the full article to know about their dominance in the world of football.

1. Argentina (23 international trophies)

Argentina stands as the titan in international football, having 23 trophies in their cabinet, with a rich legacy shaped by raw talent and passionate play.

Their identity is deeply rooted in the genius of legendary players such as Diego Maradona, whose individual brilliance almost single-handedly sealed the 1986 World Cup, and Lionel Messi, who finally cemented his legacy in 2022 World Cup after years of carrying the team's hope.

These players, along with Alfredo Di Stefano and Gabriel Batistuta have contributed to their style of play.

International trophy cabinet of Argentina:

Read Also: Trophies won by Argentina in International Football (Men's)

2. Brazil (20 international trophies)

One of the greatest footballing nations, Brazil, holds 20 international trophies in their stunning cabinet. They are widely recognised as a nation that produce players who redefine the sport.

Legendary figures like Pele, Garrincha, and modern maestros like Ronaldinho and Romario, have all contributed to Brazil's success in achieving this milestone. Their contributions have not been just about winning, but about entertaining and inspiring.

International trophy cabinet of Brazil:

3. Uruguay (19 international trophies)

Uruguay possesses a truly remarkable legacy in international football, regardless of its small population. They are just one trophy away to reach enter the twenties in their international trophies count, with 19 so far.

Legendary players like Obdulio Varela and Alcides Ghiggia, who had immense contribution in 1950 World Cup win, and more recently, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, have all profoundly shaped Uruguay's rich footballing narrative.

International trophy cabinet of Uruguay:

4. Mexico (14 international trophies)

Mexico holds a proud legacy as the dominant force in CONCACAF football, known for their passionate fan base, technical prowess, and ability to frequently challenge stronger nations.

Hugo Sanchez, Rafael Marquez, and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, are some names served in achieving the 14 international trophies.

International trophy cabinet of Mexico:

Read Also: 11 players who have won the most trophies in football history

5. USA (9 international trophies)

The USA has steadily built a legacy of growing competitiveness and professionalism, establishing itself as a successful team within the CONCACAF region.

Players like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Tim Howard, have elevated the team's standing and inspired a new generation of American footballers. They currently hold the 5th place with 10 international trophies.

International trophy cabinet of the USA:

6. France (8 international trophies)

France holds the sixth place with 8 international trophies achivement elegantly with the efforts of world-class players and athletic brilliance. From Michel Platini of the 1980s to Kylian Mbappe, an explosive forward who's carrying the winning legacy in recent years, this team have come a long way.

Their contributions have led to some historic victories that shaped French football.

International trophy cabinet of France

Read Also: Football facts: Players with most Champions League finals without winning it ever

7. Germany (8 international trophies)

Germany's legacy in international football is built on resilience, discipline and strong winning mentality. They have won 8 international trophies which gracefully shine in their cabinet.

Legendary players like Franz Beckenbauer, the elegant "Der Kaiser" who revolutionized the sweeper role; Gerd Muller, the prolific striker; and Lothar Matthaus, a midfield powerhouse, have shaped the team's consistent success.

International trophy cabinet of Germany:

8. Egypt (7 international trophies)

Egypt holds an unparalleled legacy as the most successful nation in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, having great consistency and dominance on the continental stage.

The "Pharaohs" are known for their tactical discipline, and ability to perform under pressure in crucial matches, which brought them 7 international trophies.

The most memorable victory for Egypt was their achievement of winning three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010, a feat that cemented their status as the kings of African football.

International trophy cabinet of Egypt:

9. Spain (6 international trophies)

Spain's legacy in international football is linked to their "tiki-taka" style, a philosophy of possession-based, intricate passing football that brought unparallaled success.

This approach led to an era of consistent dominance, including a historic treble from 2008 to 2012. Legendary figures like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Iker Casillas were instrumental in this golden age.

Recently, the new generation talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri, has emerged, further contributing to add up the numbers of their international trophies, which currently counts to 6.

International trophy cabinet of Spain:

Read Also: Football Wonderkids: Is Lamine Yamal the best 17-year-old footballer ever?

10. Italy (6 international trophies)

Italy won 6 international trophies in their football journey, with four World Cup wins among them. They have the capability to rise when it matters most for the nation.

Legendary players like Paolo Maldini, Gianluigi Buffon, and others have left an incredible mark on the history of team's success. The 2006 FIFA World Cup remains a memorable victory where the Azzurri peaked.

International trophy cabinet of Italy:

11. New Zealand (6 international trophies)

New Zealand won 6 international trophies and all of them were OFC Nations Cup wins, reflecting their dominance within the Oceania confederation. Their strong team spirit and discipline gets them the ability to qualify for the World Cup despite being a smaller footballing nation.

Their qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they remained undefeated in the group stage, drawing all 3 of their matches against strong opponents, stands as a particularly memorable achievement.

International trophy cabinet of New Zealand:

12. Cameroon (5 international trophies)

Cameroon, known as the "Indomitable Lions," has forged a legacy as one of Africa's most successful footballing nations. They have achieved 5 international trophies so far, and are in own by their raw power, athleticism, and a fearless, adventurous approach to the game.

The 1990 FIFA World Cup remains their most memorable victory, where they shocked reigning champions Argentina in the opening match and became the first African team to reach the quarter-finals, with their commendable performances.

International trophy cabinet of Cameroon:

Read Also: The most shocking goal misses in Football history

13. Australia (5 international trophies)

Australia, also known as "Socceroos," have evolved from a dominant force in Oceania to a competitive presence in Asia and a consistent participant on the global stage of football.

They have won 5 international trophies so far, with players like Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka being the central to their footballing journey.

A standout memorable victory for Australia was winning the AFC Asian Cup on home soil in 2015, that increased their status as a leading footballing nation within the Asian confederation.

International trophy cabinet of Australia:

The UEFA Champions League final represents the pinnacle of Europeam Club football, a stage where heroes are crowned. For any player, scoring in this momentous match is a big achivement, and for a few, that moment comes at an astonishingly young age!

Dive into the list of 5 youngest goalscorers in Champions League finals, with the spotlight on recent additions of Paris Saint-Germain's Mayulu and Doue, who have etched their names on this exclusive list.

5. Lars Ricken (20 years 322 days) | 1997

In 1997, Borussia Dortmund's local boy, Lars Ricken etched his name into Champions League final history with a goal against Juventus. Coming on as a substitute, he took just 16 seconds to score the goal after entering the pitch!

At just 20 years and 322 days old, his impactful goal helped Dortmund secure a 3-1 victory, and it still remains one of the most iconic moments in UCL finals history.

4. Desire Doue (19 years 362 days) | 2025

The 2025 UEFA Champions League final saw a remarkably young talent make his mark on field. Desire Doue added his name in this list of youngest goalscorers with scoring twice (20' , 63') in the finals against Inter Milan.

He scored the second and third goal of the match, which significantly gave PSG a boost in this high-stakes match. His attacking style and dominant gameplay at just 19 years and 362 days of age, was great to watch.

Doue's name will be forever treasured in the books of PSG's success in UEFA Champions League.

Read Also: Most Champions League titles won by Football Clubs

3. Carlos Alberto (19 years 167 days) | 2004

Carlos Alberto of FC Porto scored a stunning goal in the 2004 Champions League finals at the age of 19 years and 167 days. He scored the first goal of the match, which eventually led to a victory of 3-0 against AS Monaco FC.

He delivered a memorable moment for the team and became the key figure in Porto's surprising triumph, that too, for their second UCL title.

2. Senny Mayulu (19 years 14 days) | 2025

In the electrifying final of 2025 Champions League, PSG got another young talent who didn't just play; he made history. Senny Mayulu, at just 19 years and 14 days old, became the second-youngest goalscorer ever in the Champions League final.

Mayulu scored the final goal in their 5-0 victory against Inter Milan, and his strike in a match of such immense pressure solidified his status as an emerging player for the Parisian giants.

Read Also: Football Facts: Managers with most UCL titles

1. Patrick Kluivert (18 years 327 days) | 1995

Topping the list as the youngest goalscorer in Champions League final is Patrick Kluivert. In 1995 final, playing for Ajax, he scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, securing a 1-0 victory against AC Milan.

At just 18 years and 327 days of age, his crucial finish brought Ajax's fifth UCL title home, and established him as an iconic talent who made history in European football's grandest stage.

In Europe, the Champions League is seen as the most demanding title among players, managers, and clubs from all over Europe. The Giant clubs compete for this specific trophy every year, with the prestige and financial rewards received from the tournament being among the biggest in club football.

Achieving success in this competition is usually seen by most players and managers as the benchmark of club-level achievement in Europe. For many managers, winning the Champions League is the ultimate goal.

Some managers, however, have managed to win the competition multiple times, some with multiple teams as well. Without further due, here are the interesting football facts of the five managers with the most Champions League titles.

Read Also: Barcelona 2008/09 vs Man City 2022/23 - which Pep Guardiola treble team is better?

Football Facts: Managers with the most UCL titles 

Pep Guardiola | 3 Champions League titles

Many regard Pep Guardiola as the greatest manager of his generation due to his success with all the clubs he has managed. The Spanish manager has won the competition thrice in his managerial career, two times with FC Barcelona and once with Manchester City.

Guardiola won his first Champions League title in his first season in charge of Barcelona, with his side defeating Manchester United 2-0 in 2008-09 as part of their first-ever treble. The former Barcelona midfielder was 38 years old at the time, making him the youngest manager to win the competition to date.

He won his second title two years later in the 2010-11 season, defeating the same opponent 3-1 in the final. Lionel Messi was the star of both triumphs, scoring both times.

Then he managed Bayern but wasn't able to bring any Champions League titles to the German Club. Finally, his 12-year wait came to an end when Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Final of the UCL 2022-23 season.

Read Also | European treble winners in men's football history

Zinedine Zidane | 3 Champions League titles

Zinedine Zidane led Real Madrid in its most dominant period of the 21st century. The Frenchman won three titles with Los Blancos in three years in charge of the club.

Zidane won his first title just four months after he replaced Rafael Benitez as manager of Real Madrid. He led the side to defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties in the 2015-16 final.

The next season, Real Madrid defeated Juventus 4-1 in the final for their 12th crown.

Zidane led Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the 2017-18 final. The Frenchman is the only manager in history to win the competition three consecutive times. He is also the first and only French manager to win the competition to date.

Bob Paisley | 3 European Cups

Bob Paisley was a Liverpool soccer player, manager, and administrator for almost 50 years. 

No football manager demonstrated the art of leading quietly and without ego more than Bob Paisley. He won twenty trophies in nine years for Liverpool Football Club between 1974 and 1983.

He brought 3 European Cups, six League Championships (including three in a row in 1981, 1982, and 1983), three League Cups, 6 Charity Shields, one UEFA Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

Paisley is the only British manager to win the European Cup three times. Bob is now regarded as one of the best soccer managers of all time.

Carlo Ancelotti | 5 Champions League titles

Carlo Ancelotti is one of football's managerial greats of the 21st century. The Italian manager has won five Champions League titles in his time as a manager, having also won the competition twice as a player.

Ancelotti won his first Champions League title in the 2002-03 season with AC Milan as his side defeated Juventus on penalties in the final. He won his second title in the 2006-07 season as AC Milan defeated Liverpool 2-1.

Ancelotti won his third title with Real Madrid in the 2013-14 season after his side defeated Atlético Madrid 4-1. His fourth title came in the 2021-22 season with Real Madrid once again after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool.

He completed his fifth win in the Champions League as a manager in the 2023-24 season when Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund by 2-0 in the final.

The Italian manager is also the only manager to win all of Europe's top five leagues.

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Football Facts: Managers with the most UCL titles (Top Ten)