Every young footballer dreams of playing for the biggest club in Europe. And there is no club bigger than Real Madrid. Naturally, the most dominant club in Europe only signs the top players, so only a few can cross the dotted line and sign.
Joining Los Blancos is a huge achievement, but players, especially those with inexperience, cannot afford to be lazy once they arrive at the club. They need to prove their mettle early on, as the club will not hesitate to select a more capable replacement.
There are many ways to prove your worth, but the most surprising way is to score goals easily. In today’s list, we will look at some individuals who took their chances when they came. Read on to see the 10 youngest goalscorers for Real Madrid in the 21st century.
#10 Gonzalo Higuain: 19 years 2 months
Starting off this list is former Argentina international Gonzalo HiguaÃn. The retired striker scored his first goal for Real Madrid in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in La Liga on February 25, 2007. HiguaÃn was 19 years, 02 months and 15 days old at the time.
HiguaÃn played for Real Madrid for six and a half years, from January 2007 to July 2013. During this time, HiguaÃn scored an impressive 121 goals and provided 56 assists in 264 games. His goal contributions helped Los Blancos win three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey title and two Supercopas de España titles.
9th Ashraf Hakimi: 19 years and 1 month
The only full-back to make the cut, former Real Madrid right-back Achraf Hakimi, was just 19 years, 1 month and 5 days old when he scored his first goal. The Moroccan’s goal came in Real Madrid’s 5-0 win over Sevilla in La Liga on December 9, 2017.
Hakimi, who rose through the ranks at Madrid, officially played for Los Blancos’ first team for one season (2017-18) before moving to Borussia Dortmund on a two-year loan. After returning from Dortmund, Hakimi made a permanent move to Inter Milan. Hakimi made just 17 appearances for Los Merengues, scoring two goals and providing one assist. He helped Madrid win the UEFA Champions League in the 2017-18 season.
8th Arda Guler: 19 years old
Turkish attacking midfielder Arda Gulher scored his first goal for Real Madrid in a 4-0 win over La Liga side Celta Vigo on 10 March 2024. Gulher was just 19 years and 14 days old when he scored his first goal.
Guller had a difficult start to his career at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. He missed a lot of games early in the season due to injury, but manager Carlo Ancelotti made sure Guller could succeed in Madrid. His predictions came true as the youngster ended the 2023-24 season with six goals in just 15 games. Fit and ready to play, Guller will be hoping to have a much better season this time around.
#7 Edward Camavinga: 18 years and 10 months
Eduardo Camavinga scored his first goal for Real Madrid at just 18 years, 10 months and 02 days, making him the seventh youngest goalscorer for the club in the 21st century. The French midfielder’s goal came in a 5-2 win over Celta Vigo in La Liga on 12 September 2021.
Camavinga is still trying to become the first name in the Real Madrid team-up, but he has certainly done enough to prove that he belongs at this great club. Since joining in the summer of 2021, Camavinga has made 145 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing eight assists. He has won two La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles with Madrid.
#6 Rodrigo: 18 years 8 months
Considered the most underrated member of Real Madrid’s star-studded attack, Rodrigo scored his first official goal at just 18 years, 8 months and 16 days old. His goal came in a 2-0 win over CA Osasuna in La Liga on 25 September 2019.
The 23-year-old Brazilian winger has since scored a number of crucial goals and assists, helping Real Madrid win three La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles and a Copa del Rey. The former Santos player has scored 55 goals and provided 42 assists in 219 appearances for Madrid.
#5 Alvaro Rodriguez: 18 years 7 months
Real Madrid Castilla centre-forward Alvaro Rodriguez is not part of the senior squad. However, the 20-year-old has already scored a goal. After providing an assist in Madrid’s 2-0 win over CA Osasuna in La Liga, Rodriguez was given his big chance in the Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid. Coming on as a substitute, Rodriguez made a huge impact, equalising in the dying minutes to save a 1-1 draw for the All Whites on 25 February 2023. Rodriguez was just 18 years, 07 months and 11 days old when he scored in La Liga.
Unfortunately, Rodriguez is unlikely to continue playing for Real Madrid, as first-team coach Carlo Ancelotti does not see him as a first-team regular. So far, Rodriguez has made 10 appearances for Madrid, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist.
#4 Raphael Varane: 18 years 4 months
One of the best centre-backs in Real Madrid history, Raphael Varane had a knack for scoring great goals during his time in the Spanish capital. His first goal for Los Blancos came on 24 September 2011 in a 6-2 win over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, when he was just 18 years, 4 months and 30 days old.
After being persuaded by the great Zinedine Zidane to join Real Madrid, Varane has enjoyed a trophy-filled decade at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Playing alongside Sergio Ramos, the heart of Madrid’s defence, the Frenchman has helped the Whites win their biggest trophies. Before leaving for Manchester United in the summer of 2021, Varane made 360 ​​appearances for Madrid, scoring 17 goals and providing seven assists. He has won a total of 18 trophies with Madrid, including four UEFA Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles.
#3 Vinicius Junior: 18 years 4 months
Real Madrid’s number 7 Vinicius Junior scored his first goal for Real Madrid in a 6-1 win over UD Melilla on 6 December 2018. At the time, he was just 18 years, 4 months and 24 days old.
Vinicius Junior struggled to score regularly during his first few years at Real Madrid. However, he has rectified that shortcoming under manager Carlo Ancelotti. Since joining from Flamengo ahead of the 2018-19 season, Vinicius Junior has made 267 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 83 goals and providing 77 assists. His goals and assists have helped Los Blancos win two UEFA Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles, among other honours.
#2 Endrik: 18 years 1 month
The youngest foreign goalscorer for Real Madrid in La Liga, Endric became a club legend on August 25 with a venomous foul. At just 18 years, 01 months and 04 days old, Endric fired a powerful foul in a comfortable 3-0 win over Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Not only was it Endric’s home debut, but it was also his first official game in La Liga, and it will be interesting to see if he can build on his explosive start when Madrid travel to Las Palmas on Thursday 29 August.
#1 Jose Rodriguez: 17 years 10 months
At the top sits former Real Madrid midfielder Jose Rodriguez, who scored his first goal at the age of 17 years, 10 months and 15 days. Rodriguez’s goal came on 31 October 2012 in Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over CD Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey.
Currently unsigned, Rodriguez came through the Real Madrid academy and was a standout for the B team Castilla. Competition for places prevented Rodriguez from being officially promoted to the senior team. He made just four appearances and scored one goal before leaving Real Madrid Castilla for Galatasaray in the summer of 2015.
