Nigerian striker George Ilenikhena has written his name in UEFA Champions League history after becoming the youngest African player to make 15 appearances in the competition. The AS Monaco forward achieved the feat at the age of 19 years and 157 days, breaking a long-standing record previously held by Nigerian football legend, Nwankwo Kanu.

UEFA confirmed the milestone, noting that Ilenikhena surpassed Kanu’s record of 19 years and 260 days, which was set during the former Ajax star’s early career in the mid-1990s. The achievement places Ilenikhena among the youngest players in Europe to reach such a landmark in the Champions League, highlighting his rapid rise in elite football.

Born on August 16, 2006, Ilenikhena moved to France at a young age and developed through the French youth football system. He began his professional career at Amiens SC before earning a move to Royal Antwerp in 2023. While in Belgium, he made headlines by scoring a dramatic late winner against Barcelona in the Champions League, marking his arrival on the European stage.

In July 2024, Ilenikhena joined AS Monaco, where he has continued to impress in both Ligue 1 and European competitions. He also became Monaco’s youngest-ever Champions League goalscorer, overtaking Kylian Mbappé’s record. His latest achievement further cements his status as one of Africa’s brightest young talents, while also paying tribute to the legacy of Nwankwo Kanu.