The Ten Teenagers at the Euros this summer

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Posted: June 10, 2016

Updated: October 6, 2017

Rashford might be the youngest, but there are another nine teenagers at the Euros in France. Some aren’t quite so well known, so we profiled them for you!

Player of the tournament odds at Bet365
  • Kingsley Coman @33/1
  • Renato Sanches @ 66/1
  • Emre Mor @ 250/1
  • Marcus Rashford @ 250/1
Norway’s Martin Odegaard recently broke the record for the youngest player in European Championship history, playing in a qualifier against Bulgaria aged only 15. The Real Madrid star won’t be in France this summer though, as his quality wasn’t enough for Norway to make the cut.

The youngest ever player at a European Championship finals was Jetro Willems, who played for the Netherlands at Euro 2012 aged 18 and 71 days. That beat a record of 18 years and 115 days, set by Belgain Enzo Scifo in 1984. Four years on, Willems won’t be this summer, as the Netherlands didn’t make it. Willem's record won't be broken this year, but there are still ten teenagers at the Euros. Here are the youngest players at France 2016!

Marcus Rashford, England (31st October 1997)


An unknown only a few months ago, Rashford’s form for Manchester United was too good for Roy Hodgson not to take him to the tournament. He scored twice on his debut, then twice again on his first start in the Premier League. Making his debut for England against Australia, he scored within 135 seconds, becoming the youngest Englishman to score on his debut. He has scored 8 goals in 18 appearances for Man United, thanks to a shot conversion rate of more than 1 in 2! If he plays, betting on Rashford to score would be a very good reason to visit online sportsbooks in the UK.

Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford preparing to shine

Renato Sanches, Portugal (18th August, 1997)


Despite his age, Renato Sanches was an important member of Benfica’s title-winning team this season. His athleticism, technique, and personality make him a dominating presence in midfield. However, if scouts were hoping to check him out this summer... they’re too late. Bayern Munich won the race to sign him last month, in a deal that could rise to €80 million. If he wins a place in the talented Portugal team, he could become one of the stars of the tournament.

Renato Sanches
Renato Sanches (Photo: Sky Sports)

Emre Mor, Turkey (24th July, 1997)


Emre Mor is another player whose reputation grew so much this season that he’s already been signed by a Bundesliga giant. Borussia Dortmund, famed for spotting young talent, recent purchased him from Danish side Nordsjælland. Mor was born in Denmark, but decided his allegiance lay with Turkey. The talented winger is the third and final 18 year-old in the tournament, but his previous coach rates him as a colossal talent. Kasper Hjulmand: "What he is capable of is extraordinary. He has got so much speed in his feet, and he is so unpredictable. Just when you expect him to pass, he makes another dribble instead and changes direction. And when he does that, you do not catch him - that is plain impossible."

Emre Mor
Emre Mor signing for Borussia Dortmund (Photo: Daily Sabah)

Ante Coric, Croatia (14th April, 1997)


Coric, known as the “Croatian MessI”, still plays in his homeland; however, he has attracted interest from the Premier League. The creative attacking midfielder is the reigning Croatian Young Player of the Year and played a vital role in Dinamo Zagreb’s league and cup double. He shone when playing in the Champions League, and is the youngest Europa League scorer ever. He probably won’t start, but if he gets on then check the odds at online sportsbooks in the EU for Coric to score.

Ante Coric
Ante Coric (Photo: Croatia Week)

Breel Embolo, Switzerland (14th February, 1997)


Embolo is another player who may have to settle for a place on the bench, despite terrific league form. He scored 13 goals in all competitions last season, as Basel won the Swiss title. Best known for his pace, Embolo was born in Cameroon but grew up in Switzerland and already has ten appearances for he national team. There are rumours that he is wanted by Manchester United.

Breel Embolo
Beel Embolo   (Photo: Youtube)

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ukraine (15th December 1996)


An attacking midfielder, Zinchenko is apparently interesting Manchester City. Originally a youth player for FC Shakhtar, he now plays for FC Ufa. He’s only played twice for the national team, but is already the youngest ever player to score for the national team. The record was previously held by legendary striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Photo: 112 UA)

Bartosz Kapustka, Poland (23rd December 1996)


He may play in midfield but Kaputska has already grabbed two goals in his first four caps. He’s not certain to start, but there are suggestions he’s under consideration for the starting eleven. With prowess in both attacking and defending, big clubs are already taking an interest. With Lewandowski up front Poland could do surprisingly well, so Kaputska may get a chance to shine in the spotlight.

Bartosz Kapustka
Bartosz Kapustka (Photo: Football Talent Scout)

Denis Zakaria, Switzerland (20th November, 1996)


Nineteen year-old defensive midfield Zakaria is regarded as a big prospect, but so far has only made one appearance for the Swiss national team. Like national teammate Embolo, he wasn’t born in Switzerland: he was born in Zaire, and his father is Sudanese. He’s a regular for Young Boys in the Swiss League, but he’s not certain to play this summer. However, he’ll likely be in the Swiss team for a long time to come.

Denis Zakaria
Denis Zakaria (Photo: Bluewin)

Nico Elvedi, Switzerland (30th September, 1996)


The oldest of the three teenagers at the Euros for Switzerland is center-back Nico Elvedi. Like Zakaria he only has one cap, and isn’t expected to play a big role. However, his talent has already earned him a big move: he left hometown club FC Zurich for the Bundesliga’s Borussia Mönchengladbach and impressed for them this season.

Nico Elvedi
Nico Elvedi (Photo: Alchetron)

Kinglsey Coman, France (13th June, 1996)


The oldest of the ten teenagers at the Euros, Kinglsey Coman might well play the biggest role in the tournament. He isn’t a certain starter for hosts France, but has shone in recent pre-tournament friendlies. He loves the big stage, and nobody has more than his five assists in this season’s Champions League.

His pace and trickery could be crucial if the hosts are the live up to their billing as tournament favourites. The Parisian started out at PSG then spent a year at Juventus before this season at Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich. This means that he has already won the league title in France, Italy and Germany! If online sportsbooks are to be believed he could be adding the Euros to his collection of trophies.

Kinglsey Coman
Kingsley Coman (Photo: FourFourTwo)


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