Salzburg: Brian Madjo makes history as youngest Super Cup scorer for Aston Villa
Aston Villa’s 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo has become the youngest scorer in UEFA Super Cup history. Madjo, who is 17 years and 212 days old, scored for Villa on his club debut, levelling the score at 1-1 against Paris Saint-Germain in Salzburg. This achievement places him more than two years younger than the previous record holder.
Madjo’s goal came during Villa’s 2-1 defeat in the UEFA Super Cup. His performance drew praise from manager Unai Emery and football experts, highlighting his significant impact on the European stage despite the team’s loss.
Madjo’s Record-Breaking Debut
The centre-forward had already set a record before kick-off, becoming the youngest player to start in the UEFA Super Cup since Opta began recording such statistics in 2006. His first 45 minutes were particularly active, with six shots on goal, the highest number in the showpiece event since Sadio Mane in 2019.
Madjo’s goal, a first-time volley into the net of Matvey Safonov, brought parity for the UEFA Europa League champions before the interval. This maiden goal for Aston Villa surpassed Patrick Kluivert’s record from 1996, who was 19 years old at the time of his Super Cup goal.
Former Villa full-back Alan Hutton described Madjo as an “absolute nightmare” for defenders, noting his ability to get into dangerous areas. Hutton also praised Madjo’s strength in holding off defenders like Willian Pacho, suggesting he will continue to pose a challenge for centre-backs. Fellow expert Fara Williams commended Madjo’s persistent attitude, particularly his character in continuing to strive for a goal after missing several earlier chances.
Emery Praises Youthful Talent
Unai Emery expressed his satisfaction with Madjo’s performance, as well as that of fellow teenage starter George Hemmings. Emery highlighted the importance of such experiences for young players and for the club. He noted that both players had spent six months working with the first team in the previous season, indicating a deliberate effort to prepare them for senior football.
Emery stated that the young players demonstrated their learning and hard work against a team of PSG’s calibre, showcasing their progression. This suggests a strategic approach by Aston Villa to integrate promising youth into the senior squad.
Madjo’s Journey to Villa Park
Madjo’s participation in Emery’s first-team squad faced challenges due to FIFA rules concerning international transfers of underage players. Born in England but raised in Luxembourg, Madjo had represented Luxembourg at both youth and senior levels, earning three caps for the senior team. Aston Villa successfully argued that his January 2026 transfer should not be classified as ‘international’ because Madjo had switched his allegiance to England in the summer of 2025.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favour of Aston Villa’s appeal on August 4, allowing Madjo to be included in the squad for the Super Cup. Before joining Villa, Madjo had already broken Metz’s record for their youngest-ever debutant at 16 years and 217 days, making five appearances in Ligue 1. The 6’4″ striker also made an impact during Villa’s pre-season campaign, scoring twice against Walsall and adding goals against Real Sociedad and an Indonesia XI.
Madjo’s early career has drawn comparisons to Romelu Lukaku in the French media, with many observing promising signs for his future impact in English football. His record-breaking goal against Paris Saint-Germain marks a significant moment in his developing career.
Source: uefa.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
