Former Brazil international Fabio da Silva has made serious allegations of age fraud against the Ghana team that competed at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea.
The former Manchester United defender claims several players in the Ghana squad were well above the competition’s age limit, suggesting some could have been as old as 25 during the tournament.
Speaking about Brazil’s quarter-final defeat to Ghana, Fabio said he became suspicious after interacting with one of the players.
According to him, the conversation took an unexpected turn when he learned the player already had a family.
“We [Brazil] lost in the quarterfinals to Ghana. They said they had 17-year-olds, but I don’t think so. I think [they are] 25-year-olds. I met one and started speaking with him; he already had three kids.”
The 2007 tournament remains one of the more debated editions in youth football, particularly around questions of age verification and fairness in competition.
Ghana eventually finished fourth at the tournament, which featured several players who later took different career paths in the professional game. Germany’s Toni Kroos, who won the Bronze Shoe, went on to become one of world football’s most decorated midfielders.
By contrast, Golden Shoe winner Macauley Chrisantus and Silver Shoe recipient Ransford Osei were among those whose careers did not reach the heights once expected after their breakout performances.
