Bolivia, July 25: Mauricio Baldivieso became the youngest player ever to play in professional football when he came on as a substitute for Aurora in a Bolivian Clausura championship match.
Baldivieso’s father and club coach, Julio César Baldivieso, a former Bolivian international striker, introduced Mauricio just before half time in Aurora’s 1-0 defeat to FC La Paz last week.
His debut at such a tender age easily beat the previous record, that of Peruvian Fernando Garcà a, who played his first competitive match in 2001 at 13 years and 11 months for Juan Aurich.
“A million thanks to everyone,” said Baldivieso after the game, “I am the most happy man in the world.”
—Agencies