QUOTE
Mauricio Baldivieso, a Bolivian child only 12 years old, became last Sunday the youngest football player ever to play in first division.
Bolivian team Aurora handed a debut to Mauricio Baldivieso in a 1-0 loss to La Paz.
Mauricio came on 10 minutes before the end of game, the coach Julio Cesar Baldivieso, also happens to be the player’s father.
Mauricio had a harsh introduction to the professional game as he picked up an ankle knock from ferocious tackle by La Paz’s Henry Alaca Macondo.
But to the delight of Aurora’s fans, who gave him an ovation, the youngster was able to resume after receiving treatment.
“I am proud – he has a lot of talent,” his father said.
Baldivieso senior, in the stands serving a suspension, was much less happy though with the rough marking by Henry Alaca that left his son in tears, calling the defender a criminal and slamming the referee for not booking him.
Media in Bolivia and neighbouring countries said the previous youngest debutant in South American football was Peruvian Fernando Garcia, who was just short of his 14th birthday in 2001.
This is stupid. Now obviously he only played because his dad is the coach, but it's really not healthy. A kid shouldn't be competing with professionals like this, he probably won't be able to walk by the time he's 20!