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Yildiz shines on Champions League debut, breaks Del Piero’s record with stunning goal

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Kenan Yildiz made a dream start to his Champions League career, becoming Juventus’ youngest-ever player to start and score in the competition at 19 years and 136 days old. The Turkish international broke Alessandro Del Piero’s long-standing record, set when he scored at 20 years and 308 days against Borussia Dortmund in September 1995.

Yildiz’s goal was reminiscent of Del Piero’s trademark finishes. Receiving the ball from Nico Gonzalez on the left, he controlled it with his heel, cut inside, and unleashed a spectacular curling shot from the edge of the box that clipped the post before nestling in the top corner. The 21st-minute strike in Juventus’ 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven sent the Turin Stadium into raptures, with Yildiz celebrating by sticking out his tongue in homage to Del Piero.

The Juventus legend himself was full of praise for Yildiz’s goal, describing it as “wonderful” and “stunning” during his commentary on Sky. Del Piero appreciated the youngster’s willingness to take on the responsibility of wearing the iconic number 10 shirt, which Yildiz inherited this season after signing a contract extension until 2029.

Yildiz’s journey to this moment has been remarkable. He joined Juventus on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. Since then, he has scored 5 goals in 37 appearances for the first team, including his first Serie A goal against Frosinone last December and his international debut goal for Turkey against Germany in November 2023.

The young star’s performance earned him a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 69th minute for Fagioli. Yildiz’s rapid rise from the youth ranks to Champions League stardom showcases his immense potential and suggests a bright future ahead for both the player and Juventus.

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