Real Salt Lake academy forward Axel Kei made history as the youngest-ever player to make a professional appearance for an American sports team. Aged just 13 years, 9 months and 9 days old, Kei entered the field in the 61st minute of Real Monarchs' (RSL's USL affiliate) 0-0 draw with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, replacing United States international striker Bobby Wood. A crowd just shy of 1,500 was in attendance for this historic moment.
Kei has been playing for the Real Salt Lake academy although was called up to the Monarchs squad for the fixture on October 8, with assistant head coach Cody Warden handing him a historic first professional appearance.
Real Monarchs, who are Major League Soccer (MLS) side Real Salt Lake's reserve team and play in the second division of American soccer, decided to call up Kei for the league meeting with Colorado Springs Switchbacks. The forward was unable to get on the scoresheet, although his record at youth level in the US suggests there could be big things to follow in the future. Indeed, Kei won the Golden Boot award at the MLS Next Cup back in July 2021, with his five goals helping RSL academy win the tournament at U-15 level for the first time in their history.
Despite his tender age, Kei isn't quite the youngest-ever footballer. That honour remains with Bolivian midfielder Mauricio Baldivieso, who was brought on as a late substitute by his father for Aurora in 2009, just a few days shy of his 13th birthday. Now 25, Baldivieso retired from playing in 2018.
The youngest player to play in MLS is former Benfica forward Freddy Adu. Now 32, Adu made history when he appeared for D.C. United against San Jose Earthquakes back in 2004 at the age of just 14. And a mere two weeks later he became the youngest scorer in America's top-flight league too, as he found the net against MetroStars in a game that D.C. would lose 3-2.
Real Monarchs debuted in 2015 and won the USL Championship title in 2019. Meanwhile, RSL won the MLS Cup in 2009 and advanced to the Concacaf Champions League final in 2011. Starting in 2022, MLS plans to launch a new professional league that’s designed to accelerate the development of elite talent by providing a highly competitive environment for rising stars to compete alongside established professional players. Concurrently, MLS NEXT is in its second year of competition.
As for the youngest debutants in Europe's 'big-five' leagues, in the Premier League Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott featured for Fulham against Wolves back in May 2019 at the age of 16 years and 30 days to break the record. Bologna youngster Wisdom Amey made history in Serie A last season as he became the Italian top-flight's youngest debutant at 15 years and 274 days, while Kalman Gerencseri is Ligue 1's youngest ever player - a record that has been in place since 1960.
The youngest player in La Liga history, meanwhile, is Argentine attacking midfielder Luka Romero, who appeared for Mallorca against Real Madrid back in June 2020 at 15 years and 219 days. Youssoufa Moukoko is the record holder in Bundesliga, with the Dortmund forward replacing Erling Haaland in the second half of an away clash at Hertha Berlin in 2020, aged 16 years and one day.