It was 1977 - Argentina easily defeated Hungary 5:1, and that match would later become historic as the debut for the "gauchos" of the great Diego Maradona. The famous "El Pibe" was 16 years and three months old at the time.
Thirty years after that (2007), Apple introduced the first iPhone, a reconstructed "Wembley" was opened in London, and Kendra Paez was born in Ecuador - a guy who 16 years later would become the youngest debutant for a South American national team since the great Diego.
The boy who plays for Independiente del Valle at the age of 16 years and four months found himself in the starting line-up of Ecuador and immediately showed his class - his assist for Felix Torres was crucial for the "tricolors" to turn Uruguay (2:1) and register the first three points on the road to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
It was just the continuation of a dream year for this boy - after he became the youngest goalscorer of all time in the domestic championship at 15 in February, and then in May the youngest goalscorer of all time in the U20 World Cup.
The new world sensation has already been "secured" by Chelsea, for whom he should sign as soon as he turns 18 - however, how mature this guy looks, it wouldn't be a surprise if he moved to London much earlier.
Paez is a great dribbler, he showed some of his feints on his debut against Uruguay, and as he said as a boy he carefully watched his current teammate Gonzalo Plata and the great Lionel Messi.
At the end of the qualification for the World Cup, Ecuador will welcome Argentina - it will be a great opportunity for Paez to play against his idol, who knows, maybe they will celebrate their place in the World Cup together.
A new star was born - the 16-year-old boy was not intimidated by the lights of the big stage.
Bonus video:
