Four Chelsea players have been recognised in the Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027 for individual achievements in men's and women's football. Cole Palmer, Estevão Willian, Hannah Hampton and Manaka Matsukubo received their certificates and copies of the publication during a presentation at Chelsea's Cobham Training Centre, according to a post from Guinness World Records' website published on Thursday.
Guinness World Records said adjudicator Will Munford visited the training centre ahead of the launch of the 2027 Football Edition to mark the players' inclusion in its Class of '27, which recognises some of the most exciting young talents in world football.
Palmer was recognised for recording the fastest English Premier League perfect hat-trick from kickoff. 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 his debut season at Stamford Bridge, in which he scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists. He 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 was honoured for becoming the youngest winner of Brazil's Bola de Ouro award. The Chelsea forward was 17 years and 229 days old when he received the honour following a breakthrough season with Palmeiras. The award has previously been won by Brazilian football figures including Ronaldinho and Neymar.
Chelsea Women and England goalkeeper Hampton was recognised for becoming the youngest goalkeeper to make 100 Women's Super League appearances. She reached the milestone at the age of 23 years and 353 days during Chelsea's match against Everton on November 3, 2024, and played a key role in Chelsea's unbeaten 2024/25 WSL campaign, which ended with the club winning another league title. Hampton also drew attention at the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship, saving penalties in consecutive shootouts as England defended their title, and she became the first recipient of the women's Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper at the 2025 Ballon d'Or awards.
Japanese midfielder Matsukubo completed Chelsea's quartet after earning recognition for becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the National Women's Soccer League. She achieved the record at 21 years and 81 days when she scored three goals for North Carolina Courage against Bay FC, earning her place in the Guinness World Records Class of '27 before joining Chelsea from the American club.
The Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027 also features other emerging talents, including Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and United States international Trinity Rodman, along with a review of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and hundreds of new records from across the sport.
