The debut of a footballer is one of the most significant dates of their career. The memory of their debut lives on with them forever. It is a day full of emotions of joy, excitement and a day full of pressure. Different players show the maturity to deal with this level of pressure at different ages throughout their careers. While the majority of football players make their debuts in their late teens, there are quite a few that rise a notch above and get on the senior stage pretty fast. Here we will take a look at the top 5 youngest debutants in the history of the Spanish La Liga.
Youngest debutants in La Liga :
#5. Martin Odegaard
- Club: Real Madrid CF
- Age: 16 years 156 days
Born on 17 December 1998, Martin Odegaard started playing football at a very young age inspired by his father who is a former footballer. In 2015, Real Madrid signed the Norwegian from Strømsgodset for €3 million. Odegaard then became the youngest player in the vast history of Real Madrid to make his debut in 2015 against Getafe. It was the last game of the season and it ended in a 7-3 win at home. Martin was only 16 years and 156 days at that point. He is widely regarded as one of the best young talents around and also dubbed as future leader of the “Galacticos”. Odegaard then went on loan to Real Sociedad where he won the Copa del Rey in 2020. The Norwegian is currently playing wearing the number 8 shirt for Arteta’s Arsenal.
Read More: Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Looking To Make Martin Odegaard Move Permanent To The Emirates
#4. Jose Antonio Reyes
- Club: Sevilla FC
- Age: 16 years and 151 days
Jose Reyes joined Sevilla’s academy at the young age of 10 and played mainly as a left winger. Reye’s talent caught the eyes of the club’s senior management pretty soon which led him to become the youngest debutant in Sevilla’s history. He made his debut at the age of 16 years and 151 days in 2000 against Real Zaragoza. Jose established himself as a key component of Sevilla’s first team after that before making a record transfer move to the English giants Arsenal in January of 2004. Reyes won the premier league with them in 2004. He then came back to Sevilla in 2012 for a spell of 4 years where he won 3 Europa League titles. Sadly, Jose died in a car crash shortly after aged 35.
#3. Fabrice Olinga
- Club: Malaga CF
- Age: 16 years and 97 days
Born in Cameroon, Fabrice Olinga came to Spain in 2009, joining the youth academy of RCD Mallorca. He then signed for Malaga just two years later. Olinga then made his debut for Malaga in the opening match of the season against Celta Vigo at the young age of 16 years and 97 days in 2012. It was a dream debut for the teenager as he came off the bench in the 60’ minute to score the winner for Malaga in their 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo. He broke records as he became the youngest goal scorer in the history of La Liga. Moreover, he is also the youngest player in Malaga’s history. Olinga now plays for Portuguese club Rio Ave since his deal fell apart with Malaga.
Read More: Top Five Highest Goal Scorer in La Liga History of All time
#2. Francisco Bao Rodríguez
- Club: Celta Vigo
- Age: 15 years and 255 days
Francisco Bao Rodríguez born in Vigo, Spain, took up football at a very young age. The Spanish player was given the nickname Sansón, and played as a defender. He joined Celta Vigo in 1939 aged 15. He then made his debut for the club in 1939 at the age of 15 years and 255 days. Celta were playing Sevilla away and the match ended in a 4-1 victory. Francisco became the youngest debutant in both the club and league’s history. His record for being the youngest debutant in was kept intact for decades to come before finally being broken in 2020. He stands second on our list of youngest debutants in la liga.
#1. Luka Romero
- Club: Real Mallorca
- Age: 15 years and 229 days
Born in Mexico, Romero developed himself in the youth academy of RCD Mallorca. Luka was called up for the first team five years later when he finally made his debut. He became the youngest player to ever play in La Liga when he came on as a substitute against Real Madrid at the age of 15 years and 229 days. The match ended in a 2-0 defeat away from home. The Argentine broke the long-standing record of Francisco Bao Rodríguez for being the youngest debutant in La Liga and also became the youngest player to get on the pitch for Mallorca.
Read More: Top 5 Youngest Debutants In ISL
La Liga’s youngest debutants:
| Serial No. | Name | Nationality | Club | Year | Age |
| 1. | Luke Romero | Argentina | Real Mallorca | 2020 | 15 years, 229 days |
| 2. | Francisco Bao Rodríguez | Spain | Celta Vigo | 1939 | 15 years, 255 days |
| 3. | Fabrice Olinga | Cameroon | Malaga CF | 2012 | 16 years, 97 days |
| 4. | Jose Antonio Reyes | Spain | Sevilla FC | 2000 | 16 years, 151 days |
| 5. | Martin Odegaard | Norway | Real Madrid CF | 2015 | 16 years, 156 days |
Follow TheSportsLite for more such updates. Happy reading!
