Youssoufa Moukoko becomes the Bundesliga’s youngest-ever player

Moukoko, who has regularly played in older age groups, has impressed his teammates since joining first team training, with Haaland — who scored four goals against Hertha Berlin — calling him “the biggest talent in the world” after Saturday’s game.

“I think he’s the biggest talent in the world right now. He’s 16 years and one day old, that’s amazing. He has a big career ahead of him. We’re lucky to have him.”

Moukoko could also become the Champions League’s youngest player on November 24 if he faces Club Bruges. That record is currently held by Céléstine Babayaro, who was aged 16 years and 87 days when he played for Anderlecht in a group stage match during the 1994/1995 season.

He has been prolific for the youth teams at Dortmund, scoring 141 goals in 88 youth games, including 13 in just four appearances for the club’s U19 side this season.

Having only previously seen his now teammates on TV — or playing as them on FIFA video games in Dortmund’s youth facilities — lining up alongside the likes of Marco Reus, Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland came as something of a shock.

“The first time I arrived I made a video because I’ll never experience another day like that,” Moukoko told Borussia Dortmund TV. “I could say: ‘Now I’m with the first team’ and it was a whole new feeling.

“It was amazing. I went home and I still couldn’t get my head around it. I was so happy in training, but afterwards I understood that it was what I’d worked for. I’m here now and I need to do my best.”

Dortmund manager Lucien Favre praised Moukoko for his hard work in the short time he had with the first team.

“He’s very, very young. We have a lot of attacking players, a lot who haven’t played today.”