Cole Palmer and three Chelsea stars receive Guinness World Records certificates for outstanding achievements in men’s and women’s football
Four Chelsea players, Cole Palmer, Estevão Willian, Hannah Hampton and Manaka Matsukubo, have received Guinness World Records certificates after earning recognition for their achievements in men’s and women’s football.
The players received their certificates and copies of the Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027 during a presentation at Chelsea’s Cobham Training Centre.
According to Guinness World Records, adjudicator Will Munford visited the training facility ahead of the publication’s launch to celebrate the quartet’s inclusion in its Class of ’27, which recognises outstanding young talents in the global game.
Palmer was honoured for setting the record for the fastest English Premier League perfect hat-trick from kick-off.
The England international achieved the feat on April 15, 2024, scoring with his left foot, head and right foot within the opening 29 minutes of Chelsea’s 6-0 victory over Everton.
The achievement came during an impressive debut season at Stamford Bridge, where he scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists.
Palmer also won the Premier League Young Player of the Season award before claiming the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which Chelsea won.
Brazilian winger Estevão Willian was recognised for becoming the youngest winner of Brazil’s Bola de Ouro award.
He was 17 years and 229 days old when he received the honour following his breakthrough season with Palmeiras. Previous winners of the award include Brazilian football greats Ronaldinho and Neymar.
Chelsea Women goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was recognised for becoming the youngest goalkeeper to make 100 Women’s Super League appearances.
Hampton reached the milestone at 23 years and 353 days during Chelsea’s match against Everton on November 3, 2024.
She subsequently played a key role in Chelsea’s unbeaten 2024/25 WSL campaign, which ended with the club winning another league title.
The England international also made headlines at the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship, saving penalties in consecutive shootouts as England successfully defended their title.
She later became the first recipient of the women’s Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.
Japanese midfielder Manaka Matsukubo completed Chelsea’s quartet after being recognised for becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the National Women’s Soccer League.
She set the record at 21 years and 81 days when she scored three goals for North Carolina Courage against Bay FC.
Matsukubo earned the recognition before joining Chelsea from the American club.
The four players’ achievements feature in the Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027, which showcases records and notable milestones from across the sport.
The publication also features emerging football talents such as Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and United States international Trinity Rodman.
Guinness World Records said the new edition includes a review of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside hundreds of new records from the global game.
