Another 17-year-old talent receives Messi's shirt, Copa America becomes more attractive

"Remember this name at the Copa America and soon on the English pitches," Fabrizio Romano and Ben Jacobs, transfer news experts, emphasized in their latest comments on social media platforms on June 11. "Kendry Paez has had the great honor of being chosen by Messi himself to give him a shirt," shared journalist Ben Jacobs.

At only 17 years old, Kendry Paez (middle) already wears the number 10 shirt for the national team and is ready to face the famous player Messi.

Kendry Paez is only 17 years old, but since he was 15, Chelsea FC has signed him on a long-term contract with a fee that is among the world records for a teenager: up to 21.9 million USD. Paez will play in the Premier League when he turns 18 in May 2025.

Before making his debut in the Premier League, Paez, along with Brazilian striker Endrick, will be the 17-year-old players who will "break the buffalo horn" and conquer the prestigious Copa America arena alongside big names like Messi, Suarez, Di Maria, Vinicius, Rodrygo...

Paez and Endrick are expected to conquer the Copa America, as both have had the opportunity to play in the starting lineups of Ecuador and Brazil right from the group stage matches.

In the Ecuadorian national team, although only 17 years old, Paez had the honor of being chosen by coach Felix Sanchez (former coach of the Qatar national team) to wear the number 10 shirt, instead of famous seniors like Moises Caicedo or veteran striker Enner Valencia.

Paez (right) was met and given a shirt by Messi

Endrick is wearing the number 9 shirt in the Brazilian national team, scoring 3 goals in 3 matches, equaling the achievement of 'King of Football' Pele at the age of 17.

Playing as an attacking midfielder, in the 2023 - 2024 season for Independiente del Valle in Serie A (Ecuador), Paez made 19 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 5 assists.

The youngster has also played for the Ecuadorian national team in a total of 7 matches since 2023, scoring 1 goal. That goal was scored in the 2-1 win over Bolivia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America, helping the Ecuadorian team, currently ranked 5th in the group, qualify for the finals.

Paez is expected to be a name that attracts a lot of attention in the Ecuador team in the upcoming Copa America. The image of this young player receiving a shirt from famous player Messi has attracted a lot of attention. Through that, it also shows that it is an encouragement for another new young talent of South American football to appear.

At Copa America 2024, the ability of the Ecuadorian team to go far is highly appreciated when they are only in a very light group B, including meeting the Venezuelan team on June 23, meeting Jamaica on June 27 and meeting Mexico on July 1 to compete for 1 of 2 spots in the quarterfinals.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/them-tai-nang-17-tuoi-duoc-messi-tang-ao-copa-america-tang-phan-hap-dan-18524061112253878.htm