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Anchor Lisa Mullins tells us about a 12-year-old boy who made his debut this week as a professional soccer player in Bolivia.

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LISA MULLINS: Here’s a quick story from South America now. It starts with a Happy Birthday wish for Mauricio Baldivieso. He’s 13 years old today. Now big news you say? Well, Baldivieso is big news in Bolivia, that’s where he lives. This week, he’s thought to have become South America’s youngest-ever professional soccer player. In fact, his debut for first division team Aurora came before his birthday. So he was just 12 years old when he first played on Monday, against a team from La Paz. La Paz took a one-goal lead, then young Baldivieso came on with nine minutes left in the game. He suffered a big tackle, he broke out in tears. He had to leave the field then, but with four minutes to go, he returned to a standing ovation, and the 12 year-old ended the match with a smile. “A million thanks to everybody,” he said afterward, “I’m the happiest man in the world.” The young man has reason to thank his dad in particular, he likely got some of his talent that way. Baldivieso senior is a former international player. He also happens to be the kid’s coach.

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