Julian Green Makes Bayern Munich Debut vs. CSKA Moscow

Bayern Munich not only won their Champions League showdown with CSKA Moscow by a score of 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon, but they also saw a glimpse of their future with 18-year-old Julian Green making his debut.

The American-born talent came on late in the match, per Joe Prince-Wright of NBC Sports:

His debut didn't last long, though. It came in the 88th minute and he was unable to rack up any stats. 

Green, who is signed with the powerhouse German club until 2017, enjoyed a dominant season for Bayern's reserves squad. He was called up on Tuesday to replace injured striker Mario Mandzukic, according to MLSsoccer.com.     

One of the most highly touted youngsters in world football, Green has been sought after by both the German and U.S. men's national teams. He turned down a call-up from Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. in late October after making his debut for Germany's U-19 team earlier in the month. 

Young phenoms in world football are often competed for by the biggest clubs long before they come close to exiting their teenage years. But Green's ability to actually make it onto the pitch as an 18-year-old—for the defending Champions League winners, no less—is worth commending. 

However, Green is far from the only youngster to surface at the Champions League. Per UEFA.com, there are five 16-year-olds among the squads and the youngest player to score a goal thus far is Olympiacos FC's 17-year-old forward Peter Ofori-Quaye.

Recently acquired 22-year-old midfielder Thiago Alcantara and 23-year-old defender Jan Kirchhoff were also inserted as substitutes in the win.