Former Brazil defender Fábio has reignited the debate about age eligibility in youth football, claiming some players in Ghana’s 2007 U-17 team were older than they officially declared.

Fábio, who was part of Brazil’s squad at the 2007 FIFA U‑17 World Cup in South Korea, made the claim while speaking during a discussion with former Manchester United teammate Patrice Evra.

Brazil were eliminated from the tournament by Ghana in the Round of 16 on August 29, 2007, losing 1–0 at Gwangyang Stadium after a second-half goal from Isaac Donkor.

The match was widely viewed as one of the tournament’s major upsets, as Ghana knocked out one of the competition’s traditional powerhouses. 

Ghana would go on to enjoy a strong run in the tournament, reaching the semi-finals before eventually finishing fourth after losing the third-place playoff to Germany. 

Reflecting on the encounter years later, Fábio expressed doubts about the ages of some Ghanaian players.

“They said they were 17 years old, but I don’t think so,” Fábio said during the conversation. “I spoke with one of them. He already had three kids.”

Evra reacted with disbelief during the exchange and jokingly warned the Brazilian about the comment.

“Fabio will never go to Ghana,” Evra said, laughing.

Under FIFA regulations, players competing in the U-17 World Cup must meet strict age requirements for eligibility.

Ghana’s squad at the time was cleared to participate under the governing body’s rules, and there has never been any official investigation or sanction regarding their participation in the 2007 tournament.

FKA/JE