A 14-year-old just became the youngest player in A-Leagues history. Her reaction was special

A 14-year-old Makes A-League History with Remarkable Debut

In an unforgettable debut, 14-year-old Willa Pearson became the youngest player in Ninja A-League history during Sydney FC’s 2-2 draw with Melbourne City in the opening round of the 2025–26 season. At just 14 years and 312 days, the Sky Blues defender showed poise and skill far beyond her age.

Historic Achievement

Pearson broke the previous age record by 35 days, surpassing the mark set by Ischia Brooking of Western Sydney Wanderers in 2023, who debuted at 14 years and 347 days. Starting against the reigning Premiers, Pearson was assigned to guard CommBank Matildas star Holly McNamara, a daunting challenge for any player—let alone a teenager.

Performance on the Field

Across all 90 minutes at Leichhardt Oval, Pearson contributed strongly on both ends of the pitch. She completed:

Her disciplined defence helped keep McNamara off the scoreboard, highlighting her composure and game sense in a thrilling 2-2 encounter.

Post-Match Reaction

“Thank you to everybody who believed in me, who gave me this opportunity,” Pearson told Network 10.

Her calm and grateful reaction reflected the same maturity she showed throughout her record-breaking debut.

Author’s Summary

Willa Pearson’s debut for Sydney FC set a new A-League record and showcased her extraordinary poise, proving that age is no barrier to professionalism and impact on the pitch.

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A-Leagues A-Leagues — 2025-11-02

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