Speaking on a podcast alongside his twin brother Rafael da Silva, as well as former teammates Patrice Evra and Ji-Sung Park, the ex-Manchester United defender claimed some Ghanaian players were far older than the tournament’s age limit.
Reflecting on Brazil’s exit from the competition, Fabio suggested that Ghana’s squad may have included players as old as 25. “I think they were 25 years. One of them already had three kids,” he said, casting doubt on the legitimacy of their opponents’ ages.
The tournament, hosted in South Korea, was eventually won by Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, while Ghana’s Black Starlets reached the semifinals after edging Brazil 1-0—a match that featured both Fabio and Rafael.
The competition also showcased several future stars, including Toni Kroos, Bojan Krkić, and Danny Welbeck.
Fabio’s remarks have since reignited long-standing debates around age verification in youth football, particularly in international tournaments.
