From Mastantuono to Kendry Páez: scoring duo of just 16 years old on a historic night :: Olé

In a football where players debut younger and younger, this Wednesday there was a peculiarity with the goals they scored Franco Mastantuono with River and Kendry Páez with Independiente del Valle. Both 16 years old, they contributed to the scoreboard of their respective games and They set a historical precedent in the Copa Libertadores.

Chance and organization put the Millionaire’s hitch and the Ecuadorian team’s quickie to play on the same day. The two did their thing and added to their personal accounts in River’s victory against Libertad and in the fall of those led by Javier Gandolfi against Palmeiras, respectively.

In this way, Mastantuono became the youngest scorer in the history of Núñez’s team in the highest continental competition and left Javier Saviola behind. The Bunny had its premiere on international networks in 1999 at the age of 17 years, two months and 13 days, while The jewel of 2024 did so at the age of 16 years, eight months and ten days.

For his part, Páez became the youngest Ecuadorian to score a goal in the Conmebol tournament and with his sale to Chelsea already consummated, he only has a future ahead of him that looks prosperous both for him and for IDV, which is beginning to enjoy his great first performances as a professional.

To keep in mind, the ten youngest scorers in the Cup are rather recent. With the exception of Juan Carlos Cárdenas with Racing in 62 and Juan Madruñero with Barcelona de Guayaquil in 13, The remaining eight did so between 2021 and 2024. Which reflects in numbers the greater role that the purretes are having on the field.

The biggest kid to shout his first goal was Angelo with the Santos shirt in 2021. He surpasses Mastantuono only by a few months, because the winger who today plays for Racing de Strasbourg in France did so at the same age, but at three months and 16 days.

With the youth factor growing, this is the first time that two 16-year-old players have converted on the same day in the Copa Libertadores. These are those coincidences that happen when all the stars align, but over time they can become a repeated image.

After the 2-1 victory against Libertad in ParaguayMastantuono did not want to stop at his personal achievement and emphasized the success that the Millionaire achieved to remain calm in Group H, where he leads with an ideal score after three dates. “Records are details. I entered a complicated match and I couldn’t think much, but I am very happy because it was won. It is a victory that we needed against a tough rival,” said the kid.

Lamine Yamal It is one of the jewels of European football. The Barcelona winger also has just 16 youngsters. He was born in 2007, but he has already become a figure of the Culé team. In recent years, an alleged interest from Paris Saint-Germain in him began to gain strength, but the little boy, who already made his debut in the Spanish national team, continues to demonstrate all his quality. So far he has played 45 games with six goals and eight assists. to take the role of leader of a new breed of kids who come from all over the world.