Alphadjo Cissè etched his name into Italian football history when he netted a hat‑trick in AC Milan’s 4‑0 demolition of RB Salzburg in the UEFA Europa League. The 19‑year‑old, who is 19 years and 358 days old, became the youngest Italian ever to score three goals in a major European competition, eclipsing the record held by Giancarlo Danova, who did so at 20 years and 309 days for Milan against Olympiacos in 1959.
The match, played on Thursday in Salzburg, saw Milan return to form after a 2‑0 loss to Benfica at the San Siro in the opening round of the competition. Cissè opened the scoring with a header early in the game, then added a second from close range just before the break. After the interval he struck a right‑footed shot to complete his hat‑trick, with substitute Gonçalo Ramos adding the fourth goal. The win was sealed when defender Filippo Terracciano was sent off for pushing over Dominik Schmid with six minutes remaining, leaving Salzburg unable to mount a comeback.
Cissè’s breakthrough season began when he signed for Milan in February and was immediately loaned back to Serie B side Catanzaro. He has since returned to the Serie A squad, scoring twice in five appearances and also finding the net for Italy’s under‑21 side against Armenia earlier in the month. “I’m really pleased with this hat‑trick and with the win,” he said after the game. “I’m very pleased and I’ll definitely carry this form into the next match.” His performance also marks the first time a Milan player has scored a hat‑trick in a European match since Filippo Inzaghi’s 2002 Champions League strike against Deportivo La Coruna.
Milan’s coach, Ruben Amorim, praised the team’s resurgence, noting that the victory came after a disappointing opening round. The club’s attacking midfielder will look to maintain his momentum as Milan prepares for the next Europa League fixture, while Cissè’s record‑setting display cements his status as one of the most promising talents in Italian football.