Ansu Fati back where he broke the record

On 10 December 2019, FC Barcelona were at the San Siro for the last game in the Champions League group stage. Coach Ernesto Valverde had already guided his team into the knockout stages and decided to give a chance to young Ansu Fati, just 17 years and 40 days old, for the last five minutes. That was all the teenager needed.

Just a minute after coming on, Ansu made it 2-1 from the edge of the area, and in doing so became the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history.

Peter Ofori-Quaye, Olympiacos' Ghanaian striker of 1997 held the record previously for a goal against Rosenborg. Ansu was a full five months younger.

And three years later, he is going back. He is now in his 20s, and Xavi is the boss, and rather than a formality, this game is a crucial one for qualification. There are differences, but it will still be impossible to ignore the symbolism of Ansu Fati returning to the place where he made history.

Youngest UCL debutant

Months before that famous goal, on 17 September 2019, Ansu Fati had also become Barça's youngest ever Champions League debutant. He was just 16 years and 321 days old when he started the game against Dortmund in the opening round of the group stage.