May 1, 2024

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Wales’ five youngest debutants: Where are they now?

Representing your country is one achievement many can only dream of, but to do so as a teenager brings a level of pressure which only few can imagine.

The Wales national team have had a host of glittering of youngsters come through the ranks in recent years, with many of the latest crop promising to be the next superstar in the making.

But just who are Wales’ five youngest debutants, and how have their careers panned out?

Harry Wilson – 16 years, 207 days

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The Liverpool youngster made his international debut under Chris Coleman against Belgium back in 2013, so it is difficult to believe that he is still only 23-years-old.

Currently on loan at Bournemouth, the Welshman has enjoyed a stellar season for the Cherries in the Premier League this season, netting seven goals in 23 appearances.

Since pulling on the Wales jersey for the first time, Wilson has gone on to make a further 17 appearances for his country and is now a regular in Ryan Giggs’ side.

With plenty of time ahead of him, on current form the winger is primed to make many more appearances for the Welsh national side.

Gareth Bale – 16 years, 315 days

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An international superstar at one of the world’s biggest clubs in Real Madrid, it is fair to say Gareth Bale’s career worked out pretty well.

The 30-year-old made his debut back in 2006 in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago under former Wales boss John Toshack.

In terms of men’s international football, Bale is Wales’ record goalscorer, netting 33 times in 83 appearances for the Red Dragons (the overall honour going to Helen Ward who has 42 goals for her country).

The four-time Champions League winner only had to wait until his third Wales appearance to score his first international goal, as he found the net in a 5-1 defeat against Slovakia.

Ethan Ampadu – 17 years, 56 days

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The most recent debutant on the list, the Chelsea youngster is currently on loan at RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga.

The defensive-minded 19-year-old made his debut in a friendly against France back in November 2017, and has carved himself a regular role in Giggs’ midfield.

With 13 Wales appearances to date, Ampadu has looked comfortable on the international stage despite his lack of game time at parent club Chelsea, but certainly looks to be a promising talent.

Lewin Nyatanga – 17 years, 194 days

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On St. David’s Day 2006, Lewin Nyatanga became Wales’ youngest ever player in a 0-0 draw against Paraguay, which he marked with a man-of-the-match performance.

Nyantanga is another youngster to have made his debut under Toshack, and played alongside the likes of Giggs and Craig Bellamy on his debut.

In total, Nyatanga made 34 appearances for the Red Dragons in his career, playing at club level for the likes of Derby County and Bristol City.

Ryan Green – 17 years, 225 days

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A former Port Talbot and Merthyr Town defender, Ryan Green made his Wales debut on June 3rd 1998, breaking now manager Giggs’ record at the time to become the youngest-ever debutant.

Given his first international appearance under Bobby Gould, the now 39-year-old had yet to make a senior appearance for Wolverhampton Wanderers, his club at the time, but had been performing well in the under-21 international side.

A 3-0 win over Malta christened Green’s senior international career, with his second and final Wales appearance coming just three days later in a 4-0 defeat against Tunisia, with injuries cutting his season short.

Currently playing at Westfields FC, the defender is regarded highly at Hereford United, where his extra-time winner in the play-off final in 2006 helped the club back into the Football League.

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