Who is Ambar Figueroa? : the 15-year-old soccer player with a FIFA record who will be looking to get Chile into the World Cup

The women’s national team are one game away from their second consecutive appearance at a World Cup after France 2019 . The national team led by José Letelier will have to fight for the place against Haiti on Tuesday (10:00 p.m. in Chile) to try to climb into the group stage of the competition which for the first time will see the presence of 32 teams.

For this duel, the national coach has decided to replace part of the players, leaving behind players like Daniel Pardo, Javiera Toro or María José Urrutia to bring in younger players, among them, attacking midfielder Ámbar Figueroa who received the call to the adult team at just 15 years old after being part of the historic squad that participated in the Under-17 World Cup in India .

Due to the delay of some clubs in incorporating women’s branches into their training series, the selected, as in many other cases, had to have their first experiences in the sport with cadets from the men’s series.

In the case of Figueroa, she should have started working with colleagues in amateur clubs until joining Santiago Wanderers, where he was part of the caturro team’s under-17 team playing at just 10 years old .

Then he went to Santiago Morning, a team with which he made his debut as a professional footballer in an adult category at the age of 13. . It happened on the weekend of August 14 and 15 of the 2021 tournament.

For the occasion, he had to face the last ten minutes of the match against Santiago Wanderers entering for Yenny Acuña when the score was 5-0 in favor of the Bohemians.

After the meeting, Figueroa used his social networks to share his impressions of this great stage. “Very happy with my debut and the victory, without a doubt a day that I will never forget “, he began by pointing out on Instagram.

“I would like to thank all my teammates and the technical staff for the trust they have placed in me, to all those who have helped me grow as a player and as a person, and above all to my beautiful family who has always supported me in my dream,” he added.

The good technique that he managed to develop in his early years allowed him to be part of the youth teams. Thus, in 2019, she is called upon to wear the national jersey for the first time in the under-15 team. where she stood out and managed to advance to the under-17 category, becoming one of the protagonists of Chilean and world history.

Led by coach Álex Castro, he was part of the squad that qualified for and played in the 2022 Under-17 World Cup in India, achieving a remarkable record on his debut against New Zealand.

The Chilean opened the scoring in the 12th minute after a big overflow from Constanza Oliver . Thus, Ambarinha, as her national teammates nicknamed her, At 14 years, 11 months and 15 days, she became the youngest footballer to score in an U17 World Cup, for both women and men. .

In addition, this duel, which ended in favor of Las Rojas 3-1, meant the first victory of a women’s under-17 team in a World Cup, surpassing the goal production of the only previous participation. at the 2010 Trinidad and Tobago World Cup in which Chile scored just one goal.

All this allowed Ámbar Figueroa to stand out in Santiago Morning and to be considered by José Letelier to be part of the roster for the playoffs. “When I found out they were going to call me to the Adult Selection microcycles I was very happy . And now, thanks to my efforts, I was lucky enough to get a spot on the payroll that goes to the playoffs. When I heard my name on the payroll I almost cried with emotion and I’m glad for the opportunity “, he commented on the official channels of La Roja.

Additionally, he relished the opportunity to share with the team’s most experienced football players, including Carla Guerrero and María José Rojas, who are 20 years older than the bohemian player.

“It’s very good to learn from experienced players, who are examples for us. Being with them helps me a lot to improve “, he assured.

Finally, he indicated thatIt is a pride for me and my family. We are working very hard and we are reaping the rewards. It’s a goal achieved for me ”, closed Ambarinha.

Now, Figueroa and her teammates will have to focus on Tuesday’s duel against Haiti which will take place at North Harbor Stadium, the same scenario in which they fell 4-0 against Argentina.