One of the most bizarre bookings we’ve ever seen took place during a Sudamericano U-17 game between Brazil and Bolivia on Sunday. A Brazil player booked for standing on ball during the game was shocking.
Brazil player booked for standing on ball
In the 74th minute Brazil’s Ruan Pablo had the ball near Bolivia’s corner with his side leading 2-0. Ruan Pablo displayed a little bit of “Jogo bonito” with a clever display of skill before passing the ball to a teammate.
The referee then blew the whistle and gave Ruan Pablo a yellow card for the move.
Ruan Pablo committed a “foul” in the U-17 Sudamericana for doing a skill move… ♂️
The game is gone
pic.twitter.com/YOIgWyvDmB— Ginga Bonito (@GingaBonitoHub) March 31, 2025
Our only guess is the referee viewed this as an act of showboating? It truly makes no sense.
Maybe Memphis Depay’s act of standing on the ball three days prior was still fresh in the referee’s mind. The Dutch star produced a similar piece of skill during Corinthians' victory vs. Palmeiras and it resulted in a massive brawl.
Still, it didn’t appear that any fight was about to begin between Ruan Pablo and the Bolivia players.
Hopefully this is a one-time fluke yellow card and we don’t see more players booked for having fun. Part of what makes “the beautiful game” is the creativity displayed by the players.
What does booking 16-year-old Ruan Pablo accomplish and what message does it send to a young player? That he’s not allowed to express himself while playing?
The game is truly dead if players start getting booked for skill moves.
Brazil went on to win 3-0.
