Adalberto Peñaranda made history in La Liga last Saturday by becoming the youngest foreign player (18 years and 195 days) to score a brace.
The Venezuelan forward, who made his debut in La Liga on November 22 against Athletic Club de Bilbao, scored both goals for Granada CF in a win at Levante, 2-1. The match was held at the Ciudad de Valencia stadium.
This performance exceeds the previous record for foreigners in Spain. It was held by Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The Argentine scored his first double when he was 18 years and 219 days old.
Behind Peñaranda and Messi are Mexican Gio dos Santos (19 years and 6 days) and Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o 19 years and 30 days). Considering how old La Liga is, this is quite a feat.
Peñaranda’s also became the second-earliest double, regardless of nationality, in Spanish first division history behind Juanmi (17 years and 155 days), who got a double with Málaga CF in Zaragoza in 2010.
Adalberto Peñaranda Maestre was born in El Vigia, Merida State, on May 31, 1997. He belongs to Udinese in Italian Serie A, but is on loan at Granada CF.
He has also broken Granada CF records. When he appeared in La Liga for the first time he became the youngest player to do so in Granada.
His goals against Levante also place him as the youngest scorer for Granada in the first division, beating Isaac Success. Peñaranda did with 18 years and 195 days, while Nigerian player was 18 years and 334 days.
Notably, Peñaranda was part of the La Vinotinto U-17 and U-20 teams. He played for the Venezuela National Team that participated in the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Veracruz 2014. In his country he played for Deportivo La Guaira.
