Meet Mauricio Baldivieso, the 12 Year Old Professional Footballer

By: Daryl | July 20th, 2009

Mauricio Baldivieso made his debut for top-flight Bolivian team Aurora this weekend, coming on for the final nine minutes of a 1-0 loss to FC La Paz. Nothing weird about that. Except that Mauricio Baldivieso is 12 years old. Not even a teenager.

When I first read this story I knew it would involve one of two things. Either Mauricio Baldivieso is a genuine footballing genius prodigy, and earned the right to play under the unofficial “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough” rule. Or, his dad is the Aurora coach. Guess which one it was…

“I’m very proud, he’s got a lot of talent,” said the boy’s father, Aurora coach and Bolivian 1994 World Cup midfielder Julio Cesar Baldivieso.

Baldivieso senior, in the stands serving a suspension, was much less happy though with the rough marking by Henry Alaca that left his son in tears, calling the defender a criminal and slamming the referee for not booking him.

The only criminal thing is Baldivieso senior’s behaviour. It’s very nice to be proud of your talented 12 year old son. But sending him out to play against grown men is just bad parenting, bordering on negligence. Does anyone have the number Bolivian social services?

Update: We found some video via 101GG:

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Marco P.

Surprising that the FA (or the club)'s insurance companies allowed this to happen. The dad-coach probably waived all responsibility fees in case of an accident.

NOT a "dad of the year" candidate, I'm sure.
Tim

I like how the lad was wearing the #10 jersey... It wasn't much of a knock that he took (I know he's 12...). The way he rolled on the ground you'd thought he broke a leg. Didn't like how he slapped out at the offending player later in the video.
-nickt.-

if he was in the stands serving a suspension how could he have have sent the kid out? maybe the kid is good. maybe it's an assistant trying to gain favor. can't see pinning this on the coach though.
Juan

That's insane. I'm amazed the kid had the balls to go out there. He took a tackle too? I'm blown away that it didn't break every bone in his body.

Bet his team isn't too happy about this either.
Emmanuel

haha that is ridiculous. once that kid can take a tackle without crying then maybe he will be able to play pro. but for now i think they should take him back to the little leagues. he can shine there
cathal

That doesn't half take the biscuit...