Ecuador benches Kendry Páez for World Cup opener against Ivory Coast
PHILADELPHIA — Ecuador’s teenage sensation Kendry Páez, once hailed as the next South American superstar after his €20 million move to Chelsea, will begin his first World Cup on the bench. Head coach Sebastián Beccacece left the 19-year-old out of the starting XI for Sunday’s Group E clash against Costa de Marfil at Lincoln Financial Field, confirming that the decision is purely tactical.
Páez, who has been under intense scrutiny in recent months for his underwhelming performances on loan at River Plate and off-field discipline issues, watched from the substitutes’ bench as his teammates took the field in Philadelphia. The match, which kicks off a six-match World Cup run in the city, pits La Tri against an Ivory Coast side that features 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande — another teenage talent looking to make his mark on the global stage.
Ecuador’s lineup includes veterans such as Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata, with Moisés Caicedo anchoring the midfield. Páez, who has scored two goals in 26 appearances for his country since debuting at age 16, will be available as an impact substitute if Beccacece needs a spark.
The fall of a prodigy: From Chelsea signing to River Plate limbo
Páez’s benching is the latest chapter in a career that has stalled since his record transfer to Chelsea in 2023. The attacking midfielder joined the Premier League club in a deal worth €20 million — one of the highest fees ever paid for a teenager from South America — but was immediately loaned to River Plate in Argentina to gain experience. Instead of flourishing, he has struggled.
At River, Páez has failed to cement a regular starting role under three different managers, including Marcelo Gallardo and Eduardo Coudet. Over the first half of 2026, he managed only one goal and one assist in 14 appearances for El Millonario. Reports from Argentina suggest River is considering terminating his 18-month loan early due to poor performances and concerns about his professionalism away from the pitch.
Beccacece, who has publicly defended Páez throughout the slump, acknowledged the weight of expectations. “It’s a young man who has a lot to give. The best of him hasn’t come out yet. He has to carry all of that — to understand the magnitude of fame,” the coach said in recent weeks. Still, the manager’s patience has limits, and Sunday’s starting lineup sends a clear message: no player, no matter how talented, is guaranteed a place.
The situation echoes broader trends in South American football, where teenagers are increasingly signed by European giants at premium prices, then loaned to second-tier leagues before they are ready for top-level competition. Páez’s trajectory mirrors that of many young stars who have struggled to adapt to the physicality and tactical demands of senior football.
World Cup stage as redemption: Can Páez follow in the footsteps of Pele and Mbappé?
The 2026 World Cup features 22 teenagers across its 48 rosters, the largest number in tournament history. Among them, Mexico’s 17-year-old Gilberto Mora and Ivory Coast’s Diomande are expected to shine. But Páez’s case is unique: he arrives not as an unknown talent but as a backtracking star, trying to revive a reputation that has dimmed.
Páez’s benching also raises questions about Ecuador’s tactical approach. Beccacece has favored a more direct, physical style for the group stage — a system that may not suit Páez’s creative, dribbling-heavy game. Against Costa de Marfil’s athletic midfield, led by Frank Kessié and Seko Fofana, Ecuador opted for the work rate of Pedro Vite over Páez’s flair.
Should Ecuador advance to the knockout rounds, Páez could still become a decisive figure. The precedent is clear: Pele was 17 when he lit up the 1958 World Cup; Kylian Mbappé was 19 when he led France to glory in 2018. Páez, now 19, has the raw ability to replicate that kind of impact — if he can rediscover his confidence.
“He’s a kid who has a lot to give. The best of him hasn’t come out yet,” Beccacece reiterated. The coach’s faith may yet be rewarded with an impact from the bench.
For River Plate fans watching back in Buenos Aires, Páez’s benching is another reminder of a loan deal gone sour. The club has pressing issues of its own — including a recent debacle involving a key defender’s injury crisis — while their Ecuadorian jewel sits in Philadelphia hoping for a second chance on the world’s biggest stage.
What Páez’s benching means for Ecuador and River Plate
Páez’s situation is a cautionary tale about the pressures placed on young footballers in the modern transfer market. His €20 million price tag created expectations that have been impossible to meet — especially during a turbulent club spell.
For Ecuador, the immediate priority is winning Group E, which includes Germany (7-1 winners over Curazao earlier Sunday) and a disciplined Ivory Coast side. If results go well, Páez may see minutes in the second half, allowing him to begin rebuilding his reputation. If not, his World Cup could be reduced to a cameo role, and his already shaky club standing could worsen.
River Plate, meanwhile, is evaluating whether to pull the plug on the loan. Chelsea, who retain ownership, will be watching closely. A strong showing in the tournament could restore Páez’s transfer value and open doors to a Premier League future.
For now, the teenager with the million-dollar price tag starts the World Cup where he has spent most of this season: on the bench, watching others take his chance.
As the match progresses, all eyes will be on Beccacece’s substitutions. A single moment of magic from Páez could rewrite the narrative. But in the high-stakes world of World Cup football, second chances are never guaranteed.
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