The teenage prodigy rewriting the record books of European football
In short: At just sixteen, Jorthy Mokio is already shattering long-standing milestones. From making historic debuts for Ajax to scoring in European competitions, this Belgian-born defender is a rare talent whose rapid ascent is capturing the attention of the world's most prestigious footballing institutions.
Born on the leap day of 29 February 2008, Jorthy Mokio’s career has moved with unprecedented velocity. After joining the Gent youth academy from KFC Merelbeke in 2021, he quickly rose through the ranks. He made history on 4 October 2023, becoming the youngest Gent player ever to compete in the UEFA Youth League during a match against Basel.
His transition to senior football was equally meteoric. Following his 16th birthday in 2024, he debuted in the Belgian Pro League against Standard Liège, part of a 5–1 victory. By June 2024, despite interest from giants like Barcelona, he moved to Ajax on a free transfer. His impact in the Netherlands was immediate; by August 2024, he had already debuted for the Ajax first team in the UEFA Europa League.
Mokio’s statistical achievements are remarkable. In February 2025, he became the second-youngest player to start an Eredivisie match for Ajax, arriving at the pitch only three days older than the legendary Clarence Seedorf. He also became the youngest scorer in the history of the UEFA Europa League knockout stage during a match against Union Saint-Gilloise.
While he initially represented Belgium at youth levels and even earned a senior cap against Ukraine in March 2025, his international future is shifting. In May 2026, Mokio announced his intention to switch allegiance to DR Congo. Due to FIFA regulations regarding previous senior appearances, he faces a period of waiting before he can represent his ancestral nation in competitive play.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Jorthy Mokio
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-jorthy-mokio.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
