La Paz  - Mauricio Baldivieso became the youngest person to play professional football for a first division side when the 12- year-old made his debut for Bolivia's Aurora in a 1-0 loss Sunday to FC La Paz.

Baldivieso, who will be 13 on Wednesday, was sent on as a substitute after 39 minutes by father and Aurora coach Julio Cesar Baldivieso.

According to South American media reports, the previous record was held by Peru's Fernando Garcia, who at the age of 13 played for first division team Juan Aurich in 2001. (dpa)