Midfielder, 15, grabs incredible slice of history against Real Madrid
Mallorca youngster Luka Romero became the youngest player ever to feature in La Liga when he came on against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old replaced Idrissu Baba in the 83rd minute of the 2-0 defeat to Zinedine Zidane's side to set a new record in the Spanish league.
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The previous record had been set over 80 years ago when former defender Sanson made his debut for Celta in December 1939.
El actual futbolista del Mallorca #LukaRomero, un adolescente de 15 años nacido en México pero con nacionalidad argentina y española, acaba de convertirse en el jugador más joven en debutar en la Liga española, al ingresar al campo de juego en el duelo contra el Real Madrid 🙌🏽👏🏼. pic.twitter.com/lqNqLGFXYa
— Valen Grippo (@ValentinGrippo) June 24, 2020
The attacking midfielder had been included in the Mallorca matchday squad for clashes against Villarreal and Leganes in recent weeks, but was finally given his first taste of senior football with a brief appearance against the capital club.
His inclusion against the 13-time European champions was met with genuine astonishment from football fans.
History made in LaLiga tonight, Luka Romero comes on for Mallorca aged just 15. The youngest ever player to feature in LaLiga. pic.twitter.com/TdPzvtj4KF
— Phil Kitromilides (@PhilKitro) June 24, 2020
Luka Romero making his debut in La Liga at 15 years old soon I will stop watching this it will make feel like I'm useless. At 15 I was busy with Cartoon Network.
— ♟️Makin' moves. (@MakhanyaBG_) June 24, 2020
Just witnessed a history in the making.
Luka Romero, 15 years 219 days of age just debuted for Mallorca tonight!
Such a special talent. pic.twitter.com/vsHd87hc5x— Sabyasachi Biswas (@Sabyasaachii) June 24, 2020
How is this possible?
— 🏛️ (@AFCXion) June 24, 2020
— Pedro Baptista (@PP_Baptista) June 24, 2020
I'm praying for Luka Romero all the best In his future.
Congratulations for the record.#HalaMadrid— Spurs Man (@SpursJr) June 24, 2020
Luka Romero beats the 81-year-old record and is now the youngest La Liga player ever at the age of 15 years 7 months and 6 days! pic.twitter.com/Tk1MQlDUiZ
— Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) June 24, 2020
Teen a mouthwatering prospect for Argentina
Romero, who is said to have caught the attention of Manchester United, Barcelona, Juventus and Atletico Madrid, was born in Mexico but represents the Argentina Under 17s.
At the age of seven he had a trial at Barcelona and impressed the Camp Nou outfit's scouts enough to convince them to try to sign him, but his parents refused to move to Catalunya and he ended up joining the Mallorca youth set up five years ago.
The teenager is the son of Argentine defensive midfielder Diego Romero, who currently plays for Son Verí in the regional leagues in Spain.
Romero's brief appearance could do little to turn his team's fortunes around, as Los Blancos had already taken a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Vinicius Junior and Sergio Ramos.
The victory took the Santiago Bernabeu side back to the top of the Spanish top flight with seven games left to play.
They are level on points with Barcelona but have a better head-to-head record over their fierce rivals.
Mallorca, meanwhile, are still in the relegation zone. Vicente Moreno's team are third from bottom and three points behind 17th placed Eibar, who have a game in hand as they face Valencia on Thursday.
with Yahoo Sports staff
