Shumaira Mheuka, 17, Becomes Chelsea's Youngest Ever Player to Start in a European Match

Shumaira Mheuka, a 17-year-old forward for Chelsea Football Club, has etched his name into the club's history by becoming the youngest player to start a European competition match.

In the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 first-leg clash against FC Copenhagen on March 6, 2025, Mheuka took to the field from the outset at the age of 17 years and 137 days, surpassing the previous record held by Joel Kitamirike, who was 17 years and 196 days old when he started against Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2001. 

Mheuka's journey to this milestone began in Birmingham, England, where he was born to Zimbabwean parents. He commenced his footballing career at Brighton & Hove Albion's academy at the age of nine. In July 2022, he signed with Chelsea, making his debut for the under-18 team in October 2022. He progressed through the ranks, signing his first professional contract in October 2024. His first-team debut came on December 12, 2024, when he appeared as a substitute in a UEFA Conference League match against Astana. 

On February 25, 2025, Mheuka made his Premier League debut in a 4-0 victory over Southampton, coming on as a late substitute. 

Internationally, Mheuka has represented England across various youth levels, including under-15, under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-19 teams. He remains eligible to represent Zimbabwe at the international level through his heritage.