Gavi is the youngest player in the final draw of a World Cup since Pelé in 1958

Gaviholder in the Spanish ranks to challenge Morocco in the round of 16 of the Football World Cup, Tuesday on the lawn of the Education City stadium in Doha, is walking in the footsteps of Pelé.

Indeed, the nugget of FC Barcelona has become, at 18 years and 123 days, the youngest player to start a match in the final table of a World Cup since Skin in the 1958 final. The Brazilian legend, who has to support the Seleçao from his hospital bed, became world champion when he was only 17 years and 249 days old during the contested edition in Sweden.

Earlier in this Qatari tournament, Gavi became the third-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history behind Pelé (1958) and the Mexican Manuel Rosas (1930). The elegant Catalan midfielder, thanks to a goal in the big victory against Costa Rica (7-0) at 18 years and 110 days, also became the youngest Spanish scorer in the World Cup.