The youngest Israeli to score in the UEFA Champions League
In short: Oscar Gloukh didn't just break records; he rewrote them before his twentieth birthday. By scoring against Benfica, he became a historic figure for Israeli football, proving that elite vision and technical ambition can propel a young talent from local neighborhoods to the pinnacle of European competition.
Born in Rehovot in 2004 to Maxim Gloukh—a former professional forward of Russian Jewish descent—Oscar Gloukh's trajectory into football was shaped by heritage and early opportunity. He began his professional journey with Maccabi Tel Aviv, making his first-team debut in August 2021 during a Toto Cup match against Hapoel Jerusalem. By April 2022, he had already made his Israeli Premier League debut, scoring his first club goal in a draw against Maccabi Haifa.
Gloukh's rapid ascent was marked by high-profile moves and historic milestones. Following a €7 million move to Red Bull Salzburg during January 2023, he reached a career peak by scoring at the 51-minute mark of his UEFA Champions League opener versus Benfica on 20 September 2023. At just 19 years old, this feat established him as the youngest Israeli footballer ever to score in the competition.
His international profile grew alongside his club success. He was a standout for Israel's under-19 team at the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where he scored four goals and earned a spot on the Team of the Tournament. During that campaign, he won the Goal of the Tournament for scoring against England in the final match. He also became Israel's youngest Olympic goalscorer at age 20 years and 3 months during the 2024 Summer Olympics.
In August 2025, Gloukh chose the sporting project of Ajax over lucrative offers from clubs like Atlético Madrid and Porto. Signing a five-year contract with a base fee of €14.75 million, he took on the iconic number 10 shirt. His move to the Dutch giants was fueled by a lifelong dream to play in their stadium, prioritizing development and legacy over immediate financial gain.
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