Liverpool star beats Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe to 64-year European Championship record

06/16/2024 10:00 AM

Liverpool star Dominic Szoboszlai created European Championship history in Hungary’s 3-1 defeat to Switzerland.

With national team skippers such as Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane expected to light up the tournament, it was the Anfield hero who has broken a record which has lasted 64 years.

The Reds boast a host of players captaining their countries in Germany this summer with Virgil van Dijk leading the Netherlands and Andy Robertson with Scotland.

But Szoboszlai has got one over his Reds teammates – and Europe’s elite – after starting in Hungary’s four-goal thriller on Saturday.

In doing so, Szoboszlai, who laid on a beautiful assist for Barnabas Varga, has become the youngest ever skipper in European Championship history since the tournament’s inception in 1960.

The Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai led his team out at the age of 23 years, seven months and 21 days.

Szoboszlai was handed the Hungary armband by boss Marco Rossi two years ago when he was just 22.

And he went on to inspire Hungary to Euro 2024 qualification, ensuring they would feature in the competition for a third consecutive time.

Ahead of his record-breaking accomplishment, Szoboszlai spoke of his pride in achieving the feat, where he paid tribute to Rossi for placing faith in him to lead his country.

He said in his press conference: "A few days ago, I found out that I'll be the youngest team captain of all time at the European Championship, this is a great honour for me.

“And at the same time, I would like to thank Marco Rossi for trusting me and for giving me the opportunity to lead the team to the European Championship.”

Szoboszlai was one of Hungary’s better players in their defeat to Switzerland at Cologne’s RheinEnergieStadion.

With his side trailing 2-0 midway through the second half, it was his pinpoint cross that picked out the run of Varga, who headed beyond Yann Sommer from close range to halve the deficit.

But Hungary failed to claim a dramatic late point, with Breel Embolo sealing victory after lobbing Peter Gulacsi in the third minute of stoppage time.

Hungary pit their wits against hosts German in their next Group A match on Wednesday, before finishing off against Scotland.