Pablo Martin Paez Gavira (5-8-2004). For all Gavi. From today he becomes the youngest player summoned by a Spanish coach for a great final phase, be it a World Cup or European Championship. Little more than a year after his debut with Spain, which arrived in a setting as impressive as the San Siro and against a rival with four world champion stars on his shirt (Italy), the midfielder born in The palaces It was one of Luis Enrique’s certainties. Because since then, since that Final Four of the Nations League, Gavi It is fixed in the lists and in the elevens: 12 games of 12 and nine as a starter.
His presence among those chosen for Qatar makes Cesc Fbregas go down a step in the ranking of the youngest Spaniards present in a World Cup. Today’s Como player was in Germany 2006, hand in hand with Luis Aragones, one month after their 19th birthday. He played in all four of Spain’s matches in that World Cup, and started in the round of 16 match against France.
On the other side of Gavi emerges the figure of Sergio Busquets. The Spanish captain is the only survivor of the South African title and faces his fourth World Cup. On his way to 35 years old (July 17), Busquets will not be the oldest Spaniard to participate in a World Cup, something that since France 1998 is owned by Zubizarreta (10-23-1961), who said goodbye to the national team at the age of 36 years and eight months.
Despite his tremendous youth, Gavi He is nowhere near the youngest player to play in a World Cup. That honor is since 1982 for the norirlands Norman Whitside, executioner of Spain in Mestalla and who made his debut against Yugoslavia at the age of 17 years and 40 days. Without reaching 18 they premiered in a Eto’o World Cup, Femi Opabunmi (Nigeria), Olemb (Camern) or Pel.
As for the veterans, the record is from four years ago of the Egyptian Essam El Hadary (45 years and 161 days when he faced Saudi Arabia in Volgorado. He beat Colombian that day Fary Mondragn: 43 years and three days in his match against Japan in Russia 2014.
Now we go World by World to the ‘grandfather’ and the ‘baby’ of the Spanish team.
Discussion about this post