2023-11-27 18:03:00
Francesco Camarda, Luka Romero, Ethan Nwaneri, Youssoufa Moukoko and Laurent Paganelli share one thing in common: that of having been the youngest players to receive playing time in a “big 5” championship.
Italy: Francesco Camarda
He only touched the ball a few times and won only one duel out of five, but Francesco Camarda will forever remember this Saturday, November 25, 2023. The very young Italian striker took advantage of the numerous absences in the offensive sector (Rafaël Leao and Okafor injured, Giroud suspended) to be selected by Stefano Pioli and even become, at 15 years and 260 days, the youngest player to play a Serie A match.
This pure product of the AC Milan training center came into play in the 83rd minute in place of Luka Jovic during the Rossoneri’s victory once morest Fiorentina (1-0).
“He is very young but already exudes great maturity […] He shows humility and intelligence. He has a great future,” praised his trainer.
To be able to select Camarda, AC had to request (and receive) special authorization from the Lombardy regional committee, the player not yet having the regulatory 16 years of age.
Spain: Luka Romero
If Lamine Yamal became the youngest scorer in La Liga history last October (16 years and 87 days), it is Luka Romero who holds the record for precociousness for a player in the Spanish championship.
The Argentine attacking midfielder was only 15 years and 219 days old when he played his first minutes in La Liga with Mallorca on June 24, 2020 during a trip to Real Madrid (2-0).
Lamine Yamal broke Fabrice Olinga’s record: “Unlike me, Yamal’s agents don’t want to make him a toy”
The following summer, the player born in Mexico but also having Argentinian and Spanish nationality, joined Lazio Rome for a pittance. Since 2023, he has played… at AC Milan where, now 19 years old, he has barely played 84 minutes since the start of the season.
Luka Romero during his La Liga debut with Mallorca, June 24, 2020. ©Alterphotos / Panoramic
Angleterre : Ethan Nwaneri
15 years and 181 days. Record shattered by more than 200 days. Ethan who? Nwaneri.
The attacking midfielder was entitled to a short minute with Arsenal on September 18, 2022 once morest Brenford (3-0). Enough to enter the record books as the youngest player to play a Premier League match.
At the time, in order not to break the rules on sexual majority, Nwaneri even had to change and shower in a locker room different from that of the first team, according to RMC.
Arriving at Arsenal at 9 years old, Nwaneri was always upgraded in the youth categories but has never been called up to A since that day. A mystery. “I took him back because I appreciated what he showed during his few training sessions with us,” explained Mikel Arteta.
The England U17 international still plays at Arsenal but with the U21s.
Right, Ethan Nwaneri during his first (and only so far) appearance for the Arsenal first team, once morest Brentford on September 18, 2022. ©PA Wire/PA Images
Germany: Youssoufa Moukoko
By regulation, he had to wait 16 years and 1 day to beat the precocity record in the Bundesliga. It was November 21, 2020 during Borussia Dortmund’s victory at Hertha Berlin (2-5).
Youssoufa Moukoko, German U21 international, was born in Cameroon. Raised by his grandparents, he played ball barefoot in the streets of Yaoundé before joining his father in Germany, in St. Pauli, where he signed his first license.
In 2017, he accepted the BVB flirtation where he was a hit: 90 goals in 56 matches with the U17s, 44 goals in 23 matches with the U19s… Then the Bundesliga. A crack.
Moukoko, 12 years old and Borussia Dortmund nugget: genius or falsification of the birth certificate? Youssoufa Moukoko during Frankfurt – Dortmund, October 29, 2023. ©AFP or licensors
France: Laurent Paganelli
Despite the XXL talents of Kylian Mbappé or Warren Zaire-Emery, it is an old man who still holds the record in Ligue 1. His name: Laurent Paganelli.
If some websites mention the name of Kalman Gerencseri – who would have played with Lens at 15 years, 7 months and 12 days in 1960 – it is the name of the current Canal + consultant which is more commonly used.
“Paga” was 15 years, 10 months and 5 days old, on August 25, 1978, when he had the privilege of entering the game with Saint-Étienne during the first day of the French championship once morest PSG (1-1 ).
Subsequently, Paganelli forged a rather modest career in Ligue 1 with a French championship title with ASSE in 1981 before moving to Toulon (1983 to 1988).
Laurent Paganelli in the Saint-Etienne jersey during a charity match, April 20, 2015. ©Photonews
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