By replacing Joao Mario for the final minutes of Sporting’s victory over Guimaraes on Saturday in Matchday 24 of the championship, Dario Essugo has become the youngest player in Portuguese La Liga history. The 16-year-old six-day-old couldn’t hold back his tears.
We’re not serious when we’re 16 … whatever. Dario Essugo is already making history. Coming into play on Saturday night during Sporting’s victory against Vitoria Guimaraes (1-0), on the 24th day of the championship, the midfielder became the youngest in history to set foot on the pitch during a Portuguese Liga match.
Ronaldo had started over a year later
16 years and six days old, the club-trained kid replaced Joao Mario in the 84th minute, as his team led from Iniacio’s goal just before the break. This new record dethrones the one held by Santamaria, who had played his first Portuguese league match at 16 years and 11 months and 12 days, in January 1999.
“It’s an indescribable feeling, something I dreamed of, said the young man after the match. I thank everyone, this is just the start. I want to keep working and help the club achieve its goals. . ” He signed his professional contract at the beginning of the week only.
As an indication, Cristiano Ronaldo was 17 years, six months and nine days at the time of his great debut in the competition … Particularly moved, Dario Essugo could not hold back his tears at the final whistle: an intense emotion, impossible to contain, which touched all his teammates, came to greet him and take him in their arms. We wish him the start of a long career.
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