In soccer, age is no longer a determining factor to be a professional, because We are seeing more and more young people who, at an adolescent age, are already competing at the highest level..
Whether due to injury to a teammate, an opportunity that arose in the circumstances of the match or simply because His talent allows him to play in the first division of a country.
These youngsters surprised the soccer world with their debut at a very early age, although not all could meet the expectations they had and others are about to start their careers.
That’s right, the youngest debuts in the first division in soccer are not recent, since there are several cases from a few decades ago and it also happens -and a lot- in women’s soccer.
Vicky López is turning the world of soccer around, for her debut with the women’s Barcelona and the women’s Liga MX, we also have one of the youngest debuts.
The youngest footballers to debut in the first division
Mauricio Baldivieso
Bolivia falls squarely on this list, because Mauricio Baldivieso was 12 years old when he debuted in the first professional division from that country. His father, Julios César, directed Aurora when the teenager was playing his first minutes as a professional.
Freddy Adu, the new Pelé
The United States wants to dominate soccer, as it does with baseball and American football and a few years ago I had a young man who was appointed to be the new Pelé.
Freddy Adu came to MLS at the age of 14 and surprised the world, but, according to the law of physics, everything that goes up must come down. AND Freddy Adu did not meet expectations and retired early, just as he debuted.
James Rodriguez
Although he was better known in Argentine soccer, before making the leap to the Old Continent. Well, in his native Colombia, he was 14 years old when he debuted in 2006 with Envigado.
The rest is history, he went to Europe with Porto, then Monaco, Real Madrid and several other teams before arriving at Olympiacos, where he currently plays.
Only Aguero
Óscar Ruggeri directed Independiente and made the decision to bring a young Sergio Agüero from the bank, which in the inferiors of Red was breaking it. 15 years old she had a certain Kun.
He soon made the leap to Europe with Atlético de Madrid, then to Manchester City, where he became one of the best in the club’s history and had to withdraw due to heart problems.
Luka Romero, the Mexican messi
Argentina and Mexico were fighting over this young man, who at the age of 15 made his debut in La Liga with Mallorca. He spent a long time in Spain and He currently plays for Lazioalthough not with the minutes that I wanted.
Victor Manon
Liga MX is on this decent list, because the best quarry in recent years -Tuzos’s- debuted a 15-year-old. Víctor Mañón was the jewel of the cradle of soccer, but unfortunately he did not meet expectations And he doesn’t even play in the first division anymore.
Ymer Abili
A few days ago we told you about Ulises Dávila’s double in Australia and in that same game, something incredible happened, well the 13-year-old goalkeeper came on as a substitute to play one minute and make his professional debut.
Christopher Atherton
During a League Cup match, the 13-year-old made his Glenavon debut and not only that, he also contributed to the scoring with an assist.
Linda Caicedo
He surprised the soccer world in his debut season at the age of 15, because he won the title with América de Cali and could not play the Copa Libertadores for not giving the necessary age to play itwho was 16 years old.
Vicky Lopez
Barcelona never tires of creating talent, whether for its women’s or men’s team. Vicky Lopez broke this September 17 the record held by Claudia Piña and she became the youngest player to debut with the catalans.
Layla Lucilla of the Light
When the Women’s MX League had its first steps, it also entered history because in 2017, Layla Lucila de la Luz debuted at the age of 12 with Monarcas.
Angelique Montserrat Saldivar
In 2021, the Liga MX Demenil made headlines again for early debuts, America was the team that gave him his first minutes in professional soccer to the 14-year-old player.
Ethan Nwaneri
One of the most recent cases in professional football is that of the Arsenal jewel. At 15 years, 181 days old and without having finished high school, she started the match against Brentford on the bench and made her Premier League debut at minute 90.
Barcelona debuts Lamine Yamal
At just 15 years old, Barcelona gave Lamine Yamal the opportunity to make his debut, a youth that many good things are said about. He is the youngest to debut in culé history.
He was close to scoring his first goal as a professional in his debut, but the Betis goalkeeper prevented him. That speaks of his dangerousness and Xavi Hernández goes out of his way to praise the youth, who is one of the youngest footballers to debut.
