Here is all you need to know about age 14 Mateo Apolonio, the young Argentine player who created a record in his debut match
More than two decades after Sergio Aguero made his professional debut in an Argentina-based encounter, the record was broken on Thursday.
It follows Mateo Apolonio, a Deportivo Riestra midfielder who was just 14 years and 29 days old, for his full league debut.
Aguero’s July 5, 2003, debut with Independiente; at fifteen and thirty-three years old; had stood as the record for more than twenty years. Apolonio’s feat was even more remarkable; he beat Aguero’s record by almost a year, which had stood for over 20 years.
During Riestra’s 1-0 loss to Newell’s Old Boys in the Copa Argentina round of 16, midfielder Gonzalo Bravo was replaced by Apolonio on the pitch in the 84th minute. During his brief stint on the pitch, not much occurred.
Who is Mateo Apolonio as he becomes youngest football player to play in Argentina’s First Division, bio, age and position
It was Riestra coach Cristian Fabbiani who suggested Apolonio should be included after the team’s opening league game on Saturday. He expressed confidence in the 14-year-old’s readiness for playing professionally.
Now that the young rising star with a great future ahead, is in the talks in the footballing world, let us dive into some details regarding the player.
Who is Mateo Apolonio?
Mateo Apolonio is a young football player aged 14 years and 28 days who plays for Deportivo Riestra. The player had his first training session with the team this week and was called up for the Argentine Cup match in Parana.
A midfielder he, wrote history on Thursday by becoming the youngest player ever to compete in Argentina’s First Division at the age of 14 years and 29 days.
In the 84th minute of Riestra’s Copa Argentina round of 16 match against Newell’s Old Boys, Gonzalo Bravo was replaced by Apolonio although his side went onto lose 1-0.
Mateo Apolonio’s parents
Mateo Apolonio did mention about his parents ahead of him making the record, in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the team.
He stated that it was his parents who informed him that he was called to the first division squad while the youngster was in the living room of his home.
His mother called him and his father was “crying on the phone” while he disclosed the selection news to his son. Mateo said in the video, “ It is a unique experience and no matter what happens, it will be a beautiful memory for me.”
Mateo Apolonio tiene 14 años y 28 días.
Ayer tuvo su primer entrenamiento con la primera, y hoy fue citado a Paraná para el partido de Copa Argentina.
El sueño del pibe… 🥹⚽🤙 pic.twitter.com/xeq2mXk29o
— Deportivo Riestra (@prensariestra) May 16, 2024