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Twelve-Year-Old Boy Mauricio Baldivieso Makes Professional Debut In Bolivia

Little Mauricio, not even a teenager, has become the youngest ever player in a professional football match…

Jul 22, 2009 9:16:05 AM

Muricio Baldivieso _ Julio Cesar Baldivieso - Aurora/BOL

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Muricio Baldivieso _ Julio Cesar Baldivieso - Aurora/BOL

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Aurora

Bolivian side Aurora have introduced the youngest ever player in a top flight football match when team coach Julio Cesar Baldivieso sent on his son, 12-year-old Mauricio Baldivieso, nine minutes from time during the 1-0 defeat against La Paz in the Bolivian Clausura Championship.

Despite his young age, Mauricio, who plays as a striker, was given no preferential treatment by the opposing team. In fact, just minutes after entering the pitch, La Paz defender Henry Alaca hacked him on his ankles from behind, leaving the boy writhing in pain and in tears as the medical staff attended to him.

He managed to continue and complete the match, and his father was full of praise for the debutant.

“It is not normal for a boy who is not even 13 to make his professional debut, but he’s got talent and he did everything right on the pitch. I am very proud of him,” he told swarms of reporters after the game while hugging his son.

Mauricio then chipped in, “My dad told me that he would let me have my debut if we were winning. Things didn’t turn out that way but he let me play anyway.

“I felt the support from him and from the fans. I am very grateful.”

Mauricio turns 13-years-old old today, July 22.

KS Leong, Goal.com

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