At just 14 years and 293 days old, US teenager Cavan Sullivan is now the youngest footballer in history in the North American Major League Soccer (MLS). The Philadelphia Union midfielder came on as a substitute in the 85th minute of the home match against New England Revolution, one minute after his 20-year-old brother Quinn scored the goal that made the final score 5-1 (3-0).
This means that he is 13 days younger than Freddy Adu, who made his MLS debut for DC United in 2004 but did not have a great career later on. In the history of the major North American men’s sports leagues NFL (football), MLB (baseball), NBA (basketball) and NHL (ice hockey), basketball player Andrew Bynum, who made his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005 at the age of 18 years and 6 days, is the youngest debutant to date.
“It’s very cool to have the record. There will definitely be younger players, but maybe I can hold it for a while. But I’m definitely enjoying this moment,” said Sullivan, who, like his brother, took part in a trial training session at Borussia Dortmund around four years ago.
Younger than Yamal and Moukoko
Cavan Sullivan signed a record contract with Philadelphia in May, which also includes a clause for a move to Manchester City at the age of 18. “When I’m 18, I hope to be at Man City’s first team level,” Sullivan said after signing his contract.
The hype around Sullivan is already huge.Reuters
According to the media, Sullivan is also likely to be the youngest professional in the world’s biggest leagues. In the English Premier League, Ethan Nwaneri made his debut for Arsenal FC in 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days. In the Italian Serie A, Pietro Pellegri (2016) holds the record at 15 years and 280 days, while in the Bundesliga it is Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko at 16 years and one day (2020).
Spain’s new prodigy and newly crowned European champion Lamine Yamal was 15 years and 290 days old when he made his debut for FC Barcelona. Argentina’s superstar and Barça icon Lionel Messi only made his first competitive appearance for the Catalans in 2004 at the age of 17.
