Gameweek 30 of the Bundesliga featured a monumental clash between high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen and league leaders Bayern Munich at the Bay Arena.
Despite going down to an early goal from Lucas Alario, Hansi Flick’s men roared their way back into the game to emerge as 4-2 winners. Robert Lewandowski, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretza and Kingsley Coman scored a goal each to hand the Bavarians their ninth consecutive domestic win.
However, Leverkusen’s second goal on Saturday, a late consolation by youngster Florian Wirtz created history as he broke Nuri Sahin’s 15-year-old record to become the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history.
The former Borussia Dortmund star was just 17 years, two months and 21 days old when he scored his first Bundesliga goal for the Black and Yellows. On the other hand, Florian Wirtz was 17 years, one month and three days old when he found the back of the net against Bayern Munich to break Sahin’s long-standing record.
With that said, we decided to compile a list of the top 10 youngest goalscorers in the history of the Bundesliga:
#10 Marc-Andre Kruska (17 years, 10 months & 22 days)
One of the five former Borussia Dortmund players on this list, Marc-Andre Kruska began his career with the BVB’s youth teams before becoming the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history in 2005.
The German midfielder was 17 years, 10 months and 22 days old when he achieved this illustrious feat. Currently, Kruska is working as the assistant manager of Vfl Bochum’s Under-19 squad.
#9 Kai Havertz (17 years, 9 months & 22 Days)
Florian Wirtz’s teammate and current Bayer Leverkusen skipper Kai Havertz also features on this list, having scored a late equaliser against Wolfsburg in 2017, when he was just 17 years nine months and 22 days old.
Havertz is one of the most highly-rated players in the Bundesliga and has been linked with various European elites, including Liverpool and Real Madrid.
#8 Jann-Fiete Arp (17 years, 9 months, 22 days)
In October 2017, highly-rated German forward Jann-Fiete Arp scored his first Bundesliga goal for his boyhood club Hamburger SV, thereby finding a place on this illustrious list of youngsters.
After two seasons with Hamburger, the 20-year-old joined Bayern Munich in 2019. Since then, he has been with the reserve team in the third tier of German football.
#7 Ibrahim Tanko (17 years, 8 months & 7 days)
Ex-Ghana international, Ibrahim Tanko rose to prominence with a native club but soon jumped ship to Borussia Dortmund in 1994. One year later, he created history by becoming the Bundesliga’s youngest goalscorer at the age of 17 years, eight months and seven days.
Despite a brilliant start to life at Dortmund, Tanko’s career was blighted by numerous injuries. He retired in 2007 after winning nine caps for the national team.
#6 Lars Ricken (17 years, 8 months & 1 day)
Lars Ricken spent his entire playing career of 15 years, donning the famous Borussia Dortmund jersey.
In 1994, the German midfielder achieved the feat of becoming the league’s youngest goalscorer at 17 years, eight months and a day. Currently, the 43-year-old works as a youth coordinator at the Signal Iduna Park.
#5 Christian Pulisic (17 years, 6 months & 30 days)
One of the brightest talents to have emerged from the United States lately, Christian Pulisic joined BVB as a youngster in 2015, before making Bundesliga history one year later.
He scored against Hamburger SV to find a place in the list of the top five youngest goalscorers in Bundesliga history. Pulisic joined Chelsea last summer and has been doing reasonably well in the Premier League.
#4 Timo Werner (17 years, 6 months & 16 days)
Timo Werner registered his name on the list back in 2013, while playing for Stuttgart, which speaks volumes about his progress since.
The RB Leipzig striker has been linked with a move abroad since eternity, and as per latest reports, Chelsea appear to have beaten Liverpool for the German international’s signature.
#3 Julian Draxler (17 years, 6 months & 12 days)
In 2011, Julian Draxler announced his arrival to the world when he became one of the league’s youngest-ever goalscorers, while playing for Schalke.
After a brief stint with Wolfsburg, the German playmaker is currently on the books of Paris Saint Germain. But he has been angling for a move again due to lack of minutes at the Parc des Princes.
#2 Nuri Sahin (17 years, 2 months & 21 days)
The ex-Turkey international began his career with Dortmund, and in his first stint, he etched his name in the league’s history books by becoming the youngest goalscorer in 2005, a record that stood for 15 years.
After underwhelming stints at Real Madrid and Liverpool, Sahin returned to BVB in 2013 before joining Werder Bremen in the summer of 2018.
#1 Florian Writz (17 years, 1 month & 3 days)
The man of the moment, Florian Wirtz began his career with FC Köln before joining Bayer Leverkusen in January this year.
The highly-rated player first broke Kai Havertz’s record as the youngest debutant for the club in Bundesliga, before overtaking Sahin in the youngest goalscorers’ list. Judging by the early signs, Leverkusen have unearthed yet another gem.
All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.co.in